Valmet PIK-23 Towmaster
The Valmet PIK -23 Towmaster was a trainer aircraft of the Finnish manufacturer Valmet, which was entirely made of composite materials.
History and construction
The Flugsportclub the Finnish engineering students suggested in the 1970s to develop a new aircraft for glider towing. The work focused first on improving an earlier draft, the PIK -19 Muhinu. Later, the Helsinki University of Technology and Valmet took over the project and started developing again. The goal was to develop an aircraft that could be used except for glider towing as a training aircraft. It was named PIK -23 Towmaster. The aircraft was designed as a single-engine low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear or not, as well as two seats juxtaposed. Only two aircraft were built, one of Valmet, the other at the University. The first flight of OH - TUG was on 22 March 1982 full. The second aircraft was launched the following year for the first time. Although Valmet marketed intensively the plane, there were no jobs. It was even considered to sell the aircraft for amateur aircraft builders as a kit.