On Nov 1, 9:00*pm, Tony wrote:
On Nov 1, 7:45*pm, T wrote:



On Oct 31, 7:54*pm, Pete Brown wrote:

On 10/31/2010 12:53 PM, T wrote:

In the US, a Private rated pilot can tow gliders. He cannot receive
compensation.
A private rated tow pilot can tow for club or commercial operations,
the tow pilot cannot be compensated.

It's not clear to me what basis you have for saying this. I would
caution you not to read in what is not there.

The pertinent parts of FAR 61.113 are shown immediately below and
explicitly *permit a private *pilot to tow for hire or compensation. RTFR!

Paragraph FAR 61.113 (a) spells out the general prohibitions against
compensation and then paragraphs b through g spell out the exceptions to
the general prohibition.

Sec. 61.113

Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (g) of this section, no
person who holds a private pilot certificate may act as pilot in command
of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation
or hire; nor may that person, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in
command of an aircraft.

(non relevant parts deleted.)

[(g) A private pilot who meets the requirements of Sec. 61.69 may act as
pilot in command of an aircraft towing a glider or unpowered ultralight
vehicle.]

Amdt. 61-110, Eff. 9/1/2004

Mostly, who can tow, is run by the insurance companies.

This is correct. Many insurance companies have higher requirements than
the FAA for towing generally and during contests as well.

As you quoted "except as provided" an in sub paragraph [g] .. it says
he can act as Pilot in Command to tow a glider.
It does not say he can be compensated.

T

(a) says that unless a private pilot meets one of the exceptions, they
cannot be compensated. *Which is to say if you are operating under one
of the exceptions, you can be compensated.

The FAA has defined compensation as not only money but also "free" or
discounted flight time. There is no difference in the FAA's eyes
between the two. Unless the tow pilot is paying money out of his own
pocket to tow, he is receiving compensation in the form of free flight
time. FAA regulations specifically exempt private pilots from the
prohibition from receiving compensation for towing gilders or
ultralights. Whether that compensation is cash or free flight time or
both, it doesn't matter.

Insurance companies can require whatever they want in the way of
qualifications for coverage but requiring a commercial ticket for
towing is their restriction, not the FAA's.