C of G or Belly Hooks

We offer both new and reconditioned hooks. Please note that we will levy a fee of £50 plus VAT for all exchange hooks despatched without first receiving your worn out hook for exchange.

We advise customers to check by phone (01452 741 463) for availability before sending or purchasing a hook as at peak times we can be awaiting hooks back from Tost.

Centre-of-gravity releases for winch launching The Europa G 88 safety release is approved for gliders or power gliders for cable loads up to 14,1 kN. Automatic release occurs with the cable at an angle of 83 ±7°. The maximum manual release force is 140 N. The tow release meets JAR 22 requirements and has been approved, and documented in type certification 60.230/2, by the German aviation authority (LBA - Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) as conforming to their stringent airworthiness regulations for tow releases. G 88 with release lever   028000 Standard version with 4-position release lever. Mass: 700 g. G 88 without release lever   028200 Allows a release lever to be fitted by the aircraft manufacturer, or the release cable can be attached directly to one of the segment holes. Mass: 670 g. G 88/1-83   028400/028500 To allow for the cramped conditions in some glider cabins we offer the following option: the segment is shortened by three holes and the segment bolt is extended for fitting a special release lever on the left (028400) or right (028500) side of the release body.       Special-purpose releases The S 72 and SH 72 special tow releases are for lightweight gliders and power gliders with a simpler design (without movable ring mechanism). To satisfy airworthiness requirements, therefore, the aircraft must have cable deflectors to ensure release even for extreme lateral cable angles. Approved by LBA type certification 60.230.3 for a maximum aircraft mass of 500 kg. Refer to the LBA before using this release for new design. S72   022100 Without release lever, for attaching the release cable directly to one of the segment holes. Mass: 600 g. SH 72   022210/022200 For space reasons the segment is shortened by three holes and the segment bolt is extended for fitting a special release lever (cf. G 88/1-83). On DG aircraft the release lever is mounted on the left, in flight direction (022200), and on Glasflügel aircraft on the right (022210). Mass: 565 g.   If you are purchasing an exchange hook we will contact you before despatch to arrange a deposit. For unusual hooks we may have to have your hook overhauled, this could take 10 to 14 days.

Nose Hooks

Releases for aero tow

The E 85 tow release is used as nose release for gliders and power gliders or as tail release for tugs. The maximum cable load is 14,1 kN, the manual release force 140 N. The E 85 has no automatic release. Approved by LBA type certification 60.230/1 as conforming to airworthiness regulations for tow releases, this release also meets JAR 22 requirements.
The body of the E 85 tow release is now recessed on the side so that an external release lever can be fitted.

E 85 with release lever 014000
Standard version with 4-position release lever. Mass: 560 g.

E 85 without release lever 014100
Allows a release lever to be fitted by the aircraft manufacturer, or the release cable can be attached directly to one of the segment holes. Mass: 525 g.

E 8511-79 014200
This nose and tail tow release is offered with a shortened segment for mounting in tight spaces and has a special angled release lever. Mass: 535 g

E 85/1-85 014210
This version has a standard segment, but an extended segment bolt for fitting a special release lever (optionally left or right) outside the release body. Mass: 550 g.
 

If you are purchasing an exchange hook we will contact you before despatch to arrange a deposit. For unusual hooks we may have to have your hook overhauled, this could take 10 to 14 days.

Tow Release Handles

Available in two styles, as a "T", or as a "Ball" with a hole. Both are manufactured in yellow plastic and are as found on many of today's gliders.

We also have a number of early Slingsby style wooden balls complete with approx 30" of cable pre swaged as used on T21 etc.