How to Become a Sailplane Tow Pilot
The role of a tow plane pilot involves towing gliders, also referred to as sailplanes, to an altitude where they can be released safely, allowing the glider pilot to glide back for a safe landing. While working as a tow plane pilot can help build flight time, the majority of pilots working in this capacity do it for recreation or sport. Tow plane pilots generally fall into one of three categories: glider pilots who trade their time in the tow plane for flights in the glider, experienced pilots who do it solely for sport and low time pilots looking to build flight time.
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Instructions
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Working as a tow plane pilot
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Get your private pilot's license. Regardless of which category of pilot you may fall under, you must meet the minimum FAR requirements in FAR 61.69, which states that you hold a private pilot's license and have at least 100 hours of flight time.
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2
Undergo training covering the concepts, procedures and possible emergencies you may encounter, which is mandatory before you can work as a tow plane pilot. You can find more specific information related to tow planes and tow plane pilot procedures in FAR 91.309.
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3
Learn to signal and maneuver. Tow plane pilots and glider pilots use signals and maneuvers to communicate with each other once the takeoff roll begins.
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Tips & Warnings
Flying as a tow plane pilot can be a good way to build flight time. The job itself, however, involves lots of very short flights with little opportunity to improve navigational or instrument flying skills.
Flying a tow plane does have some level of risk. Some of the possible emergencies that you could encounter include engine failure on takeoff or a takeoff abort while the glider is being pulled, release problems by either the tow plane or the glider, and the possibility of having the tow line catch some obstacle when flying close to the ground.
