Tug Flying
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Deepest Darkest
Tug Flying
Does anybody know what further qualifications, if any, are required to fly the tug aircraft at a gliding club? Is a formal qualification required, is it a matter of going on a course to be shown the technique but not being formally examined, or is it just a case of the club showing you the proper technique?
Joined: Jan 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
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From: Slowly decaying (disgracefully)
It always used to be that the club would train you and decide when you are fit to be let loose on the poor unsuspecting glider pilots. AFAIK it hasn't changed.
Be aware that a gliding "silver C" is usually a base requirement for a tug pilot.
HFD
Be aware that a gliding "silver C" is usually a base requirement for a tug pilot.
HFD
Joined: Jan 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 899
Likes: 42
From: Slowly decaying (disgracefully)
If you're an active glider pilot you may be welcomed, even without a Silver C. Some clubs advertise for seasonal full-time tuggies but I didn't think that was what you were looking for.
If you aren't into gliding you should give it a go - ring your local club. If you get hooked it may open the door to the evening/weekend tugging.
HFD
If you aren't into gliding you should give it a go - ring your local club. If you get hooked it may open the door to the evening/weekend tugging.
HFD
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 258
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From: Bradford
hours building
If not glider tugging, how about parachute flying ?
Even parachutists are a bit picky about who gets them aloft, but you may find more opportunities here, depending how far you're prepared to travel.
Or you could get yourself a single seat PFA machine and rattle off some real flying hours and see the country quite cheaply. (and learn a lot)
I can think of one such person who bought a D31 Turbulent and flew every flyable day until he got the magic 700 hours that he needed.
Even parachutists are a bit picky about who gets them aloft, but you may find more opportunities here, depending how far you're prepared to travel.
Or you could get yourself a single seat PFA machine and rattle off some real flying hours and see the country quite cheaply. (and learn a lot)
I can think of one such person who bought a D31 Turbulent and flew every flyable day until he got the magic 700 hours that he needed.
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: UK
I've been a tuggie for 3 years now. I am also a glider pilot but out of 8 tuggies that we have, 4 have never set foot in a glider before in their lives. No harm in approaching your local gliding club, if you dont ask, you dont get. We took on 2 people last year, both of whom turned up on the off chance wondering if they could do some tugging.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Deepest Darkest
I've been a tuggie for 3 years now. I am also a glider pilot but out of 8 tuggies that we have, 4 have never set foot in a glider before in their lives. No harm in approaching your local gliding club, if you dont ask, you dont get. We took on 2 people last year, both of whom turned up on the off chance wondering if they could do some tugging.
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: UK
DSAA,
Most clubs use tailwheel A/C of some sort so it might be an idea to approach them forearmed with a tailwheel rating, that might help swing the vote. Assuming of course you havent got the endorsement already??
Most clubs use tailwheel A/C of some sort so it might be an idea to approach them forearmed with a tailwheel rating, that might help swing the vote. Assuming of course you havent got the endorsement already??
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: ...back of the drag curve
Most clubs will not normally look at you unless you are have silver C gliding badge, or are a member of that club.
Most of the tug pilots I know are 300 yr old gliding fossils, flying on a silver C PPL conversion.....
Most of the tug pilots I know are 300 yr old gliding fossils, flying on a silver C PPL conversion.....
Joined: May 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Surrey
I'm really interested in getting into tugging, I have a fATPL and around 50hrs gliding with 10 of those solo, although I never got around to bronze. Whats the best way to get your foot in the door? Just ask at local gliding clubs? How is tugging taught as most tugs are single pilot a/c aren't they?
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: UK
Blinkz,
I would simply get stuck in at your local gliding club, a tuggie post will come your way if your keen enough. You already have some gliding experience which will stand you in good stead. We have a handful of tuggies that all turned up "on spec" and all were taken on. If you dont ask you dont get! As for A/C, not all clubs use pawnee's, many use Robin's, Rallye's or even Chippies and Cubs. Most of the pawnee clubs I know also have a spare 2/4 seater for tuggie training and annual checks etc. Most clubs are all on the internet with their own web pages. Try the British Gliding Assosciation website and you'll find a list of all the UK clubs and any that are near you. The club web pages usually have a list of their A/C fleet too.
Mike
I would simply get stuck in at your local gliding club, a tuggie post will come your way if your keen enough. You already have some gliding experience which will stand you in good stead. We have a handful of tuggies that all turned up "on spec" and all were taken on. If you dont ask you dont get! As for A/C, not all clubs use pawnee's, many use Robin's, Rallye's or even Chippies and Cubs. Most of the pawnee clubs I know also have a spare 2/4 seater for tuggie training and annual checks etc. Most clubs are all on the internet with their own web pages. Try the British Gliding Assosciation website and you'll find a list of all the UK clubs and any that are near you. The club web pages usually have a list of their A/C fleet too.
Mike
