91.709 Towing gliders
- (a) A person must not tow a glider in flight unless that person holds a glider tow rating issued under Part 61.
- (b) A person must not tow a glider in flight unless--
- (1) the aircraft used for towing is operated at airspeeds below the maximum airspeed specified for aero-tow in the glider flight manual; and
- (2) the towing load does not exceed the maximum load specified in the aircraft flight manual; and
- (3) the person has checked the operation of the tow hook of the aircraft to be used before the flight; and
- (4) the person uses the take-off, glider release, airspeed, and emergency signals established by a gliding organisation for the pilots of tow aircraft and gliders; and
- (5) the take-off distance to clear a 50 foot obstacle with the glider in tow does not exceed 85% of the take-off run available; and
- (6) the aircraft is capable of maintaining a rate of climb of at least 200 feet per minute at 1000 feet above the aerodrome with the glider in tow.
- (c) A person must not operate an aircraft to tow a glider in flight unless--
- (1) the aircraft to be used is equipped with--
- (i) a tow hook and attachment assembly; and
- (ii) a pilot-activated quick release capable of releasing the tow line from the tow hook with the glider in tow and while the tow aircraft is in flight; and
- (2) the tow line to be used meets the requirements of Appendix A.26; and
- (3) if more than one glider is being towed, the tow lines to be used are--
- (i) one for each glider; and
- (ii) of a length that provides a distance of not less than 50 m between any glider and the towing aircraft; and
- (iii) of a length that provides a trailing separation of not less than 30 m between each glider; and
- (iv) attached by a single tow ring to the aircraft, and capable of separation on release from the aircraft.
- (d) Paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) do not apply to the towing of a hang glider in flight.