TOW PILOT TRAINING COURSE

The following pilot qualifications are established as a guide.

The following requirements must be met to be qualified as a GAT Glider Tow Pilot.

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 DCA 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 GAT glider rating, or fly as a observer or student in a glider on 4 aero tows.

TOW PILOT TRAINING SYLLABUS

Ground Training

Inspection of Tow line

Condition--abrasion, fraying, broken strands

Rings--condition, proper size

Splicing demonstration & practice

Inspection of tow hook

Glider Flight Training

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

5. Tow plane - Practice tow, with emphasis on takeoff, initial climb, normal release, and descent procedures.

6. Tow plane - Practice tow, with emphasis on climb airspeed control.

7. Tow plane - Practice tow, with emphasis on climb during out of position glider maneuvers.

8. Tow plane - Practice tow, with emphasis on emergency signals: Glider Problem and Emergency Release.

9. Tow plane - Practice tow, with emphasis on glider rope break training at or above 200 feet AGL.

10. 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.

AEROTOWING - EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

TOW AIRCRAFT - ABORT ON TAKE-OFF

Should the tow aircraft abort on the runway due to an emergency, the tow pilot shall release the glider at once and turn toward the left side of the runway so that, should it be necessary, the glider may pass the aircraft on the right.

EMERGENCY RELEASE PROCEDURES

TOW AIRCRAFT - Should the tow aircraft require the glider to release, the aircraft pilot shall rock the wings vigorously. On seeing this signal, the glider pilot shall release immediately. Should the Tow aircraft be unable to give this signal, the tow pilot may release the glider at the tow aircraft end. The glider pilot should immediately release the tow rope from the glider, turn right and maintain level flight to avoid the tow rope and to prevent it from encircling the glider.

GLIDER - If the glider pilot is unable to release, employing normal release procedures, he shall fly the glider well to the left of the tow aircraft and rock the wings. On seeing this signal, the tow pilot shall return the glider to the release area and release the tow rope at the aircraft end. The glider pilot shall try several more release attempts to free the tow rope and carry out a landing using a steep approach, on the assumption that the tow rope is still dragging below and behind the glider.

NON_RELEASE - In the event that neither the tow aircraft nor the glider can release, the tow pilot shall perform a power-on approach and landing with the glider in tow. The tow pilot shall extend his ground roll to prevent the glider from overtaking the aircraft on the runway. The glider pilot shall use spoilers on the approach to increase the drag, and use maximum braking on the ground roll.

PRE-TOW CHECKLIST

1. SEAT BELTS FASTENED
2. FUEL SUFFICIENT
3. SWITCHES ON
4. TRIM SET
5. FUEL VALVE ON
6. TWO NOTCHES FLAP DOWN
7. CARB HEAT COLD
8. MIXTURE RICH
9. PRIMER LOCKED
10. DOORS & WINDOWS LATCHED
11. INTENTIONS ON RADIO

GLIDER-TOW PROCEDURES

TOW (after take-off) :

DESCENT :

TURN BASE (1000 ft) :

TURN FINAL (700 ft) :

Form GAT 1a

GLIDER TOW PILOT RATING (form)

Complete all relevant sections in BLOCK LETTERS and send completed form to the Operations Officer, Gliding Association of Thailand (GAT), 126 Moo 16, Ban Thi, Lamphun 51180 Thailand

Details of Tow Pilot

Surname:

Given Names:

Address:

Nationality:

Date of Birth:

Tel/fax no:

Email:

Gliding Club:

Pilot Licence Information

DCA PPL (A) Number:

Medical Class:
Valid until:

Pilot Experience

Total time P-I-C Aeroplane Hours:
As at

Glider Experience

Total time P-I-C Gliders:
Launches:
Hours:
As at

Application

I hereby certify that all particulars shown in this application are, to the best of my knowledge true and correct and I know of no reason why I should not be Issued a GAT Glider Tow Pilot Rating.

Signature of Tow Pilot ……………………………………… Date …… / …… / …….

Tow Pilot Instructor Certificate

I hereby certify that I have assessed ……………………………………. and he/she has completed and demonstrated proficiency in the Basic Tow Pilot Training Syllabus.

I have issued a GAT Glider Tow Pilot Rating.

The completed assessment and training syllabus is held by myself or the ………………… Gliding Club.

Signature of Tow Pilot Instructor ………………………………………. Date ……./ ….. / …..

Print Name ……………………………………….

Office use only

……………………. ……………………………