Glider tow checkout in a single seat aircraft?

[Rally]

Hi all I belong to a soaring club and I am close to my Commercial glider add on. They mentioned something about being checked out to tow but according to the FARs (I believe) you have to simulate or actually tow a glider with a instructor. How would this take place if the clubs only towing aircraft is a Single seat Pawnee?

Thanks

 

[tonycondon]

you have to find a two seat something to simulate the tow with. this is an issue that lots of pawnee exclusive clubs run into.

FWIW I wouldnt sign someone off to tow without actually having them pull a glider.

 

[flyalot]

Hello. I had to use a Citabria to simulate the glider tows. Pretty much a joke. Lucky I had been around the glider port for years before towing. When moving to another operation, I had dual instruction with a bird on the back. Learned a ton more.

 

[avbug]

An individual approached an operation for whom I flew years ago. He said he had eight hundred hours of conventional gear time in his RV-4. He didn't have any time in any bigger conventional gear, and no ag time. He said he would go get some time in an AgTruck towing gliders, for the insurance. He got a single seat checkout, and managed to do three tows before he totaled the aircraft on his third landing.

Towing isn't particularly complex, as the work is really all done by the person in back. You only need to know when to cut away and to make shallow maneuvers, and how to signal...that can all be passed on with a ground briefing, really.

Do you have conventional gear experience?

 

[Rally]

Yes about 800 hours. 300 of which towing banners. I have no doubt I can tow a glider but I'll cut away if you get hairy.

 

[Rally]

Yes about 800 hours. 300 of which towing banners. I have no doubt I can tow a glider but I'll cut away if you get hairy.

 

[avbug]

Then you'll have little difficulty. Good luck.

 

[tuna pimp]

Towing isn't particularly complex, as the work is really all done by the person in back. You only need to know when to cut away and to make shallow maneuvers, and how to signal...that can all be passed on with a ground briefing, really.

Having a keen eye for finding lift always helps too.

 

[avbug]

Personally, I believe someone towing gliders should be a glider pilot, just as someone tossing jumpers should be a jumper. One need not be seasoned in either discipline, but having the experience of the other man can only improve one's insight into one's own job.

I found that spending six years fighting fire on the ground helped immensely in understanding the needs of ground troops while fighting fire from the air. Likewise, experience as a glider pilot, even if just as a student taking some instruction, will be of great help to the person towing the gliders.

Most jump schools want to see their pilots have some jumps under their belt. Likewise, many glider clubs will jump at the chance to allow the tow pilot to take some instruction to better understand the tow from the glider pilot's perspective. It can't hurt.

 

[flyalot]

I think the FAR mentions something about three tows as a glider pilot to get the sign off? Don't have a bible with me to look it up. It takes a special nack, to tow the gliders. With out good feed back from the dope on the rope. You will never learn the small things that make the diffrence. I fly banners also. Which also takes a special nack to learn. NO Nothing, Willing to learn everything works great. Have fun!!! Some of the best yank and bank you can do and still get paid.

 

[flyalot]

OOPS on the spelling.

 

[MauleSkinner]

Yeah, I think it's 3 glider flights under aero tow, and probably 3 actual or simulated tows from the other end of the rope. One of those "bare minimum" things.

When I got my signoff, I had my Private Glider add-on (about 14 flights), and I think they gave me 10 or 12 tows worth of instruction in the Mighty PA-12...including putting one of the instructors in a 1-26 for some serious yanking and banking (he wound up breaking the rope).

I then learned to thermal in the Mighty PA-12, because it just didn't climb very fast

Fly safe!

David

I think the FAR mentions something about three tows as a glider pilot to get the sign off? Don't have a bible with me to look it up. It takes a special nack, to tow the gliders. With out good feed back from the dope on the rope. You will never learn the small things that make the diffrence. I fly banners also. Which also takes a special nack to learn. NO Nothing, Willing to learn everything works great. Have fun!!! Some of the best yank and bank you can do and still get paid.

 

[avbug]

§ 61.69 Glider and unpowered ultralight vehicle towing: Experience and training requirements.
(a) No person may act as pilot in command for towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle 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 or unpowered ultralight vehicle;
(3) Has a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who certifies that the person has received ground and flight training in gliders or unpowered ultralight vehicles and is proficient in--
(i) The techniques and procedures essential to the safe towing of gliders or unpowered ultralight vehicles, 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 unpowered ultralight vehicle simulating towing flight procedures while accompanied by a pilot who meets the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section;
(5) Except as provided in paragraph (b) 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 unpowered ultralight vehicle, or while simulating towing flight procedures; and
(6) Within the preceding 12 months has--
(i) Made at least three actual or simulated tows of a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle 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 or unpowered ultralight vehicle towed by an aircraft.