On Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:11:30 -0500, Bill D wrote:


...I have it on excellent authority that no ground launch sign off is
needed for a "crow hop" since it really isn't a launch of any kind -
just the glider equivalent of taxi tests.


Bill, I don't want to challenge you on this, but I'm interested in your
"excellent authority."

From my read of the FAR's it sure looks like a ground launch endorsement
would be required. Here is the relevant section of 14 CFR 61.31:

(j) Additional training required for operating a glider.

(1) No person may act as pilot in command of a glider--

(i) Using ground-tow procedures, unless that person has satisfactorily
accomplished ground and flight training on ground-tow procedures and
operations, and has received an endorsement from an authorized instructor
who certifies in that pilot's logbook that the pilot has been found
proficient in ground-tow procedures and operations;

the "pilot in command" is defined as the person who:

(1) Has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety
of the flight;

(2) Has been designated as pilot in command before or during the flight;
and

(3) Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if
appropriate, for the conduct of the flight.

and a "flight" can be inferred from the definition of flight time:

(2) For a glider without self-launch capability, pilot time that commences
when the glider is towed for the purpose of flight and ends when the
glider comes to rest after landing.

So, if a glider is towed with the intention of leaving the ground, that
constitutes a flight and the pilot in command of that flight needs to have
a ground launch endorsement if the towing is being done using "ground tow
procedures."

I admit that this is one of those areas where being caught is unlikely,
and I wasn't going to interject this in this thread, but since you
mentioned that you have a good authority who says that it is legal to
make short, low altitude flights using ground launch procedures without
the endorsement, can you please give me some more information about the
basis for this claim?

--
Stefan Murry
CFI-G