TOW
PILOT TRAINING COURSE - Page 11
FEDERAL
AVIATION REGULATIONS FOR TOW PILOTS
[Text in
brackets added by author for explanation]
Sec. 61.69 Glider towing: Experience
and training requirements.
(a) No person may
act as pilot in command for towing a glider unless that person:
(1) Holds at least a private pilot certificate
with a category rating for powered aircraft;
(2) Has logged at least 100 hours of
pilot-in-command time in the aircraft category, class, and type, if
required, that the pilot is using to tow a glider;
[100 hours in
category (airplanes), class (single-engine), and type, a type rating
is only required if the tow plane weighs over 12,500 lbs. or is
powered by turbojet engines]
(3) Has a logbook endorsement from an authorized
instructor who certifies that the person has received ground and
flight training in gliders and is proficient in--
[Sounds like an
endorsement from a CFIG is needed to verify ground and flight
training in gliders]
(i) The techniques and procedures essential to the
safe towing of gliders,
including airspeed limitations;
(ii) Emergency procedures;
(iii) Signals used; and
(iv) Maximum angles of bank.
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this
section, has logged at least three flights as the sole manipulator of
the controls of an aircraft towing a glider or simulating
glider-towing flight procedures while accompanied by a pilot who
meets the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) this section;
[Actual tow
pilot flight training/experience can be accomplished by a tow pilot
that meets the requirements of paragraph (c) and (d) below.]
(5)
Except as provided in paragraph (b) [Paragraph
(b) is a grandfather clause] of this
section, has received a logbook endorsement from the pilot, described
in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, certifying that the person has
accomplished at least 3 flights in an aircraft while towing a glider,
or while simulating glider-towing flight procedures; and
(6) Within 24 calendar months before the flight
has--
(i) Made at least three actual or simulated glider
tows while accompanied by a qualified pilot who meets the
requirements of this section; or
(ii) Made at least three flights as pilot in
command of a glider towed by an aircraft.
[(6) Changed in
2009 from annual to biennial currency requirement, 3 actual or
simulated tows; or 3 flights as PIC of a glider being towed within a
24 calendar month period.]
(b) Any person who
before May 17, 1967, has made and logged 10 or more flights as pilot
in command of an aircraft towing a glider in accordance with a
certificate of waiver need not comply with paragraphs (a)(4) and
(a)(5) of this section. [Grandfather
clause]
(c) The pilot,
described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, who endorses the
logbook of a person seeking glider-towing privileges must have:
[This paragraph
establishes additional requirements for the tow pilot who rides with
the student tow pilot for 3 actual or simulated tows and verifies the
experience with an endorsement to the fact.]
(1) Met the requirements of this section prior to
endorsing the logbook of the person seeking glider-towing privileges;
and
(2) Logged at least 10 flights as pilot in command
of an aircraft while towing a glider.
[He/she has to
be an FAR legal tow pilot and has a minimum of 10 tows under his/her
belt ]
(d) If the pilot
described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section holds only a private
pilot certificate, then that pilot must have:
[ If only a
private pilot, additional requirements are added below. ]
(1) Logged at least 100 hours of pilot-in-command time in airplanes,
or 200 hours of pilot-in-command time in a combination of powered and
other-than- powered aircraft; and
[So you can have
a combination of glider and powered aircraft. What combination? It is
not specified.]
[The following
is currency requirements for the tow pilot doing the endorsement,
note the ANNUAL currency requirement]
(2)
Performed and logged at least three flights within the 12 calendar
months preceding the month that pilot accompanies or endorses the
logbook of a person seeking glider-towing privileges--
(i) In an aircraft while towing a glider
accompanied by another pilot who meets the requirements of this
section; or
(ii) As pilot in command of a glider being towed
by an aircraft.
[Amdt. 61-124,
74 FR 42555, Aug. 21, 2009]
Sec. 91.309 Towing: Gliders.
(a) No person may
operate a civil aircraft towing a glider unless--
(1)
The pilot in command of the towing aircraft is qualified under Sec.
61.69 of this chapter;
(2)
The towing aircraft is equipped with a tow-hitch of a kind, and
installed in a manner, that is approved by the Administrator;
[Check the tow
plane's logbook for an entry showing the installation of the tow
hitch.]
(3)
The tow line used has breaking strength not less than 80 percent of
the maximum certificated operating weight of the glider and not more
than twice this operating weight. However, the tow line used may have
a breaking strength more than twice the maximum certificated
operating weight of the glider if--
[The maximum
certificated operating weight may be listed in the pilot's operating
handbook as the maximum gross takeoff weight.]
(i)
A safety link is installed at the point of attachment of the tow line
to the glider with a breaking strength not less than 80 percent of
the maximum certificated operating weight of the glider and not
greater than twice this operating weight.
(ii) A safety link is installed at the point of
attachment of the tow line to the towing aircraft with a breaking
strength greater, but not more than 25 percent greater, than that of
the safety link at the towed glider end of the tow line and not
greater than twice the maximum certificated operating weight of the
glider;
[This is to
ensure the tow rope breaks at the glider end first ]
(4)
Before conducting any towing operation within the lateral boundaries
of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E
airspace designated for an airport, or before making each towing
flight within such controlled airspace if required by ATC, the pilot
in command notifies the control tower. If a control tower does not
exist or is not in operation, the pilot in command must notify the
FAA flight service station serving that controlled airspace before
conducting any towing operations in that airspace; and
(5)
The pilots of the towing aircraft and the glider have agreed upon a
general course of action, including takeoff and release signals,
airspeeds, and emergency procedures for each pilot.
(b) No pilot
of a civil aircraft may intentionally release a tow line, after
release of a glider, in a manner that endangers the life or property
of another.
[54 FR 34291,
Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-227, 56 FR 65661, Dec. 17,
1991]
This
finishes the study portion of the course. Proceed to the Test. On the
test page select the Tow Pilot Course examination and proceed with
the examination.
Attention
AOL users: Please print the results of your examination prior to
printing your certificate. AOL users may be unable to print the
course completion cerificate.
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