Raul Pavon

WHEN I MOVED to Houston, TX several years ago, I was faced with the problem of launching large-size Gliders to thermal altitude. The Houston area is flat and has little low-altitude thermal activity because of high humidity. Lofting a large-size Glider into those relatively high thermals is no easy task. I began looking at piggybacking as a possible launching alternative. After some research I found a suitable carrier plane in the Multiplex Big Lift and began experimenting with it. This model airplane was specifically designed as a tug for either towing or piggybacking. I assembled the 11-lb. aircraft following the plans and fitted it with a four-cycle O.S. 120 Surpass engine.