Flight Training Syllabus

The following pilot qualifications are established as a guide. Clubs, commercial operators, and other soaring organizations may establish their own specific tow pilot qualifications in addition to FAA requirements. The following requirements must be met to be qualified as a Civil Air Patrol Glider Tow Pilot.

(1) Meet all current FAA requirements for towing gliders as specified in FAR 61.69.

(2) Take and pass a written examination on subjects peculiar to the aero towing of gliders. Currency will be required to passenger carrying standards, i.e. 3 takeoffs and landings (to full stop in tail wheel aircraft) in category and class in the previous 90 days. Aircraft to be used for glider towing must be equipped with an FAA approved tow hook and release mechanism and a rear view mirror capable of seeing the glider in the high tow position.

(3) Qualification requires at least 5 actual tows as pilot in command of a tow plane towing gliders, accompanied by a qualified Glider Tow pilot. In addition, the tow pilot candidate must either possess a current FAA glider rating, or fly as a observer or student in a glider on 4 aero tows. (These are qualification in addition to FAR requirements.)

• Inspection of Tow line
• Condition–abrasion, fraying, broken strands
• Rings–condition, proper size
• Splicing demonstration & practice
• Inspection of tow hook

Flight #

1. Glider Flight – Tow pilot candidate will observe the takeoff and tow. Observe high and low tow position, turns on tow, slack rope and observe the following signals: Glider Problem and Emergency Release.
2. Glider Flight – Tow pilot candidate will observe the takeoff and fly the tow with assistance. Observe descending and climbing in the wake, boxing the wake, and out of position maneuvers, practice turns on tow with the assistance of the CFIG, and observe a normal release.
3. Glider Flight – Tow pilot candidate will take and fly the tow with assistance. Descend and climb through the wake, box the wake, fly turns on tow, and complete a normal release.
4. Glider Flight – Practice prior maneuvers as needed.

Tow Plane Flight Training

1. Tow plane – Practice tow, with emphasis on takeoff, initial climb, normal release, and descent procedures.
2. Tow plane – Practice tow, with emphasis on climb airspeed control.
3. Tow plane – Practice tow, with emphasis on climb during out of position glider maneuvers.
4. Tow plane – Practice tow, with emphasis on emergency signals: Glider Problem and Emergency Release.
5. Tow plane – Practice tow, with emphasis on glider rope break training at or above 200 feet AGL.
6. Tow plane – Practice simulated tow, review emergency procedures: Takeoff emergencies, power failure during climb out, glider cannot release, glider and tow plane cannot release and glider problem.

All tows require awareness of Oil Temp & Pressure, traffic, and monitoring of the glider.