Aircraft Towing Operations
Towing objects or aircraft are unique operations whereby special training and endorsement to conduct safely.
Introduction to Aircraft Towing Operations
- Be it gliders or banners, pilots may be called upon to tow objects
- Test your understanding of Aircraft Towing Operations by completing the knowledge quiz, applying your knowledge in the interactive scenario, comparing your performance against the applicable Airman Certification Standards, and concluding with the topic summary to reinforce the key concepts before moving on to the next lesson.
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.
- Aircraft and tow equipment under 14 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) § 91.309:
- The towing aircraft must use one of the airworthiness-certificate paths permitted by the rule, and its tow hitch must be approved, authorized, or accepted and installed as the applicable provision requires.
- Without the safety-link exception, towline breaking strength must be at least 80 percent and no more than twice the maximum certificated operating weight of the glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle.
- A towline stronger than twice that operating weight requires a safety link at the glider end rated from 80 through 200 percent, plus a towplane-end safety link that is stronger than the glider-end link by no more than 25 percent and is not stronger than twice the operating weight.
- Inspect the tow hitch, attachments, release operation, towline condition, and safety links before takeoff. Pilot qualification does not make an unsuitable aircraft, damaged line, or noncompliant installation acceptable.
- Coordination and controlled-airspace notification:
- The tow pilot and glider or ultralight pilot must agree on a general course of action, including takeoff and release signals, airspeeds, and emergency procedures for each pilot.
- Before towing within the airport-designated surface area of Class B, C, D, or E airspace, notify the operating control tower. If no tower exists or it is not operating, notify the Flight Service station serving that airspace. ATC (Air Traffic Control) may require notification before each towing flight.
- After the glider or unpowered ultralight releases, the tow pilot may not intentionally release the towline in a manner that endangers another person's life or property.
- Emergency and performance planning:
- Brief phase-specific actions for a towline break, failed glider release, failed towplane release, abnormal glider position, loss of climb performance, and available landing areas.
- An extreme high-tow position can pitch the towplane down and rapidly reduce control authority. Maintain aircraft control and use the agreed signal and release procedure before the condition becomes unrecoverable.
- The glider and towline add drag and operational constraints. Use tow-specific guidance and conservative runway, obstacle, acceleration, and climb margins; ordinary untowed performance alone does not establish that the combined operation is safe.
- High density altitude, adverse wind, runway and obstacle limitations, equipment condition, crew readiness, and emergency options belong in the go/no-go decision. Delay, reduce the demand, or cancel when adequate margin cannot be established.
- Other towing: Under 14 CFR § 91.311, civil-aircraft towing other than the glider and unpowered-ultralight operations governed by § 91.309 must comply with an FAA certificate of waiver. Banner towing is one such operation, and the operator must comply with every applicable waiver term and special provision.
Aircraft Towing Operations Interactive Scenario
Interactive Scenario
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Aircraft Towing Operations Knowledge Check
Choose the knowledge check that matches your current training for Aircraft Towing Operations.
Private Pilot
PPL knowledge check
Core Knowledge Review
Review foundational knowledge, key concepts, and practical considerations. Topic: Aircraft Towing Operations.
- Immediate feedback
- Answer explanations
- Account progress tracking
Commercial Pilot
CPL knowledge check
Advanced Application
Apply knowledge to advanced operations, risk management, and aeronautical decision-making. Topic: Aircraft Towing Operations.
- Immediate feedback
- Answer explanations
- Account progress tracking
Why Take a Quiz?
Quizzes reinforce key concepts, identify knowledge gaps, and build confidence for real-world decisions. Quiz material is representative of the information provided here and is not based on or sourced from the Federal Aviation Administration test bank.
Aircraft Towing Operations Conclusion
Aircraft Towing Operations References
- 14 CFR § 61.69, Glider and Unpowered Ultralight Vehicle Towing: Experience and Training Requirements.
- 14 CFR § 91.309, Towing: Gliders and Unpowered Ultralight Vehicles.
- 14 CFR § 91.311, Towing: Other Than Under § 91.309.
- FAA-H-8083-13B, Glider Flying Handbook.
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Pilot/Controller Glossary.
- Aeronautical Information Manual (7-6-16) Avoid Flight in the Vicinity of Thermal Plumes.
- Aviation Weather - Thermal Soaring.
- DrJack.info.
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - Updrafts and Downdrafts.