Aircraft Towing Operations
Moving aircraft on the ground requires careful coordination to prevent damage and ensure safety around personnel and equipment. Understanding aircraft towing operations helps pilots recognize proper procedures, communication practices, and situational awareness considerations during ground handling.
Introduction to Aircraft Towing Operations
- Be it gliders or banners, pilots may be called upon to tow objects
Aircraft Towing Operations Key Highlights
- Aircraft towing operations involve using aircraft to tow gliders, banners, targets, or other airborne equipment during specialized flight operations.
- FAA regulations establish pilot qualifications, equipment requirements, and operational limitations for towing activities.
- Banner towing and glider towing operations commonly require specialized training, endorsements, and operational experience.
- Towing operations may involve increased aircraft performance demands, altered handling characteristics, and reduced climb capability.
- Pilots conducting towing operations should understand towline procedures, emergency release systems, and coordination techniques.
- Weather conditions, density altitude, runway length, and aircraft performance significantly affect towing operation safety.
- Communication and coordination between tow pilots, glider pilots, and ground personnel are essential during towing activities.
- Towline failures, abnormal loads, or improper towing procedures can create significant operational hazards.
- Special operating areas, waivers, or airspace coordination may be required for certain towing activities.
- Understanding aircraft towing operations improves specialized operational proficiency, risk management, and overall flight safety.
Aircraft Towing
- No person may act as pilot in command for towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle unless that person:
- Holds a private, commercial or airline transport pilot certificate with a category rating for powered aircraft;
- 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;
- 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:
- The techniques and procedures essential to the safe towing of gliders or unpowered ultralight vehicles, including airspeed limitations;
- Emergency procedures;
- Signals used; and
- Maximum angles of bank
- 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 while towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle, or has simulated towing flight procedures in an aircraft while accompanied by a pilot who meets the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section
- 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
- Within 24 calendar months before the flight has:
- 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
- Made at least three flights as pilot in command of a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle towed by an aircraft
- 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 or unpowered ultralight vehicle in accordance with a certificate of waiver need not comply with paragraphs (a)(4) and (a)(5) of this section
- The pilot, described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, who endorses the logbook of a person seeking towing privileges must have:
- Met the requirements of this section prior to endorsing the logbook of the person seeking towing privileges; and
- Logged at least 10 flights as pilot in command of an aircraft while towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle
- If the pilot described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section holds only a private pilot certificate, then that pilot must have:
- 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
- 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 towing privileges:
- In an aircraft while towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle accompanied by another pilot who meets the requirements of this section; or
- As pilot in command of a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle being towed by another aircraft