Glider Towing

[Speedbird005]

I'm not sure if anyone can answer these questions, but if someone can I would be very greatful.

Theoretically, if I had a current JAA PPL and needed to build my flying hours, I have been told glider towing is an option.

How do you get involved in glider towing?. .Do you need any special licences/qualifications?. .What is the pay rate like?

Hope someone can answer them!

Thanks

[Speedbird005]

Thank you

[Sensible]

And you will probably need a tailwheel endorsement on your PPL. Taildraggers are tricky beasts to control on the ground compared with tricycle airplanes. Most tugs are taildraggers!

[scroggs]

While I accept the interest of this topic for Wannabes, I think you'll find more people better qualified to answer you in Private Flying.. .Just a point, as a PPL you cannot accept payment for flying an aircraft.

[yellowperil]

Bidford are looking for a tug pilot; see their advert on gliderpilot.net:

<a href="http://adverts.gliderpilot.net/op=s1&mi=6&mx=10&se=&cc=&kw=" target="_blank">http://adverts.gliderpilot.net/op=s1&mi=6&mx=10&se=&cc=&kw=</a>

hope that works, if not follow links to 'classified adverts' from <a href="http://www.gliderpilot.net." target="_blank">www.gliderpilot.net.</a>

-they have a super cub and a pawnee. As was mentioned above, some gliding is useful; all Lasham's tug pilots are at least Silver C.

Also depends on the individual club; their number of tugs and propensity (sp?) to aerotow. My club is mainly winch launched; the supercat gets you high enough to make it to one of the 2 ridges... the tug generally only comes out in no wind/ soaring days ie Easterlies. As a result, the tug pilots are mainly instructors.

That's when the shed with wings (pawnee) isn't knackered awaiting Brazillian parts...!

In general, have a wander down to your local club and see what the situation is there. The season for hiring is usually from now to mid September-ish. Hope that helps.

yp