Title: Gil, when I was learning how to tow from Larry Garrett, he gave me some ground school he called Ace Towpilot School. The following is an annotated outline from that ground school. I invite comment from any other members on this information.
Author: Jim Densmore

Ace Towpilot School, page

When I was learning how to tow from Larry Garrett, he gave me some ground school he called Ace Towpilot School.  Larry was extremely thorough and has given tow pilot instructing a great deal of thought.  I learned a tremendous amount from Larry, and his presence on the High Flights line, even if sporadic, is already missed following his relocation to Utah.  The following is an annotated outline from Larry’s ground school.  I invite comment from any other members on this information.			--Jim Densmore, High Flights Soaring Club, August 2002

Pertinent FARs:
61.69 Glider Towing: Experience and Training Requirements
•	- At least a Private Certificate with 100 hours PIC in Cat/Class (ASEL)
•	- CFI-G ground and flight training in Gliders and endorsement (I received my ground endorsement from Ray, a separate endorsement from the endorsement Larry gave me for towing)
•	- Three actual or simulated tows as “sole manipulator” while accompanied by a “current” and “experienced” towpilot (need not be commercial or CFI)
•	- Within prior 12 months, made three actual or simulated tows with another qualified towpilot, OR made three PIC glider flights
91.309 Towing Gliders
•	- Must be a 61.69 qualified pilot.  Hitch must be FAA “approved”
•	- Towline specifications:
•	-- line strength 80-200% of glider gross weightOR
•	-- two safety links - at glider end 80-200% of glider gross weight and at towplane end 125% of glider safety link strength, but not greater than 200% of glider gross weight
•	- Prior ATC notification if in or below class B, C, D, E airspace and, if no tower, FSS notification prior to towing in controlled airspace
•	- Safety review with towpilot and glider pilot, course of action, takeoff and release signals, airspeeds, and emergency procedures
•	- Safe towline drop - no danger to life or property
SSA visual signals: (JPEGs of these 2 images are available at http://www.highflights.com/signals.html

Normal Sequence of Events in a tow
(review, see also “Day in the Life” below)
Towplane Issues
Performance
Overheated engine management
Hitch and Release
Emergency Procedures
On takeoff
Just after takeoff
Towplane in Distress
Rope breaks and towplane towrope release issues
Never, never forget that towrope behind and below you!
Towpilot responsible for safe glider release envelope at all times (think like a glider pilot -- would you want to get a rope break here?)
Release area selection
Release procedures and rationale
Power management during descent (avoid shock cooling)
Right of Way review, FAR 91.113
Converging:
•	Balloon: precedence over all others
•	Glider: over airship, rotorcraft or airplane
•	Airship: over airplane or rotorcraft
Logic: least maneuverable has highest precedence
Towing Aircraft has precedence over all other powered aircraft
Towrope Management
Check release under tension
Short field reminder
Wires and fences
Taxi and nose standing issues
Inspection of rope, links, rings and hitch
Glider Issues
Glider can easily overcontrol the towplane!
During takeoff
On crosswind takeoff
On tow
Aerotow speed limitations
“Within Gliding Distance” envelope parameters
Tow speed minima: heavy glass ships vs. light single seaters
Normal maneuvers to expect while on tow
Slack line recovery
Box the wake/wash
Downwind “rope break”
“rope break” on takeoff practice
A Day in the Life of Ace Towpilot
Rehearsal of EPs
Selected accident/incident review
Heat and (de)hydration
Surge operations are the standard
“Monotonous repetition” begets competence ... and complacency!!
YOU are the PIC for two aircraft -- act like it!
Finding Lift
Exploiting ground effect to the max - for two aircraft!
Good neighbor policy
Noise (try not to go over same house twice!)
Clearing
Tying up the runway
Radio use
Towin’s a blast - Have Fun!