You probably have heard what they say about fools rushing in. The expression applies in spades when shopping for an airplane.
Still, sheer excitement at the prospect of acquiring a flying machine can be enough to cloud the mind and cause one to gloss over important details or forget them altogether.
No, we are not talking about pre-purchase inspections, pilot qualifications, or even the need to secure a hangar ahead of time. What you really need is help getting the aircraft in and out of the hangar—you need a tug, a critical but often overlooked piece of aviation gear.
Sometimes the basic tubular steel hand-held towbar that many of us carry in the baggage compartment is enough for getting your airplane out of the hangar or moving it around for short distances. Returning it to the hangar, though, often includes an uphill push that can be difficult without power.
In my case, the hardest part is getting the main wheels over the raised lip where the asphalt ramp meets the slightly elevated concrete floor of the hangar.
There is a vast array of towbars and tugs on the market, and they are designed to handle a range of aircraft. For light piston models like my Commander 114B, the choices boil down to gasoline or electric power.
When I shopped for a powered towbar, I wanted to find the smallest, lightest, easiest-to-use (and least expensive) option. After years of nursing my flying club’s gasoline-powered towbar to life, especially on cold days, I leaned heavily toward an electric model for ease of operation. I also wanted something light enough to carry.
At the time, the Robotow from Sporty’s was fairly new. Members of my pilot group at the airport were skeptical. They doubted it would have the power to move the not-so-light Commander reliably.
A video on the Sporty’s website shows the Robotow moving a light twin, apparently with no drama, so I gave it a shot. Three years later, the Robotow is among my favorite pieces of equipment—right up there with the Commander’s Garmin GTN 750 GPS/nav/com and the mechanic’s creeper that takes the discomfort out of cleaning the airplane’s underside.
We will be reviewing a lot of pilot gear at The Aviation Consumer, and I think the Robotow makes an ideal leadoff because I have used it for years and can share a long-term perspective on its performance. The standard machine uses a knurled metal drum to engage and turn the nosewheel, and there are adapters that allow it to work with many makes and models of aircraft.
When ordering, specify which aircraft you plan to tow. Sporty’s customer service staff provided guidance and reassurance, as I felt the need to confirm that they actually made an adapter for the Commander, which is a rare model.
On the ramp, all you have to do is apply downward pressure on the Robotow’s handle to engage the wheel while squeezing the device’s trigger, which controls the electric motor’s speed, like a cordless drill. A switch that falls naturally under your thumb toggles between forward and reverse. The towbar’s light weight and easy throttle control aid maneuverability.
Its 28-volt battery provides more than adequate power and endurance, and charges easily. Indeed, ease is a recurring theme with the Robotow. It simply works well without adding complications to a pilot’s routine.
My favorite Robotow feature is its quiet operation. My home airport in Blairstown, New Jersey (1N7), is located in a rural agricultural area. I often return from trips late at night and, after shutting down, I want to avoid making additional, unnecessary noise. Wheeling the airplane into its hangar with a nearly silent electric towbar just feels a lot more neighborly than firing up a gasoline-powered tug near midnight.
Sporty’s sells the Robotow for $1,839. Prices vary somewhat depending on which model airplane you fly. The version for my Commander costs $1,978.