SparrowHawk owners, lets hear from you!

For the record, here are the FAR's that you mentioned. Are there any
other FAR's we should be looking at?
As asinine as it it seems, it sounds like you can tow a cloth clad
aluminum tube device(as long as it is still within the previously
mentioned definition of a glider) into the air. Whether you would want
to is another matter.


Bob


FAR 91.309 - Towing: Gliders.
(a) No person may operate a civil aircraft towing a glider
unless--
(1) The pilot in command of the towing aircraft is qualified under
Sec.
|61.69| of this chapter;
(2) The towing aircraft is equipped with a tow-hitch of a kind,
and
installed in a manner, that is approved by the Administrator;
(3) The towline used has breaking strength not less than 80
percent of the
maximum certificated operating weight of the glider and not more
than twice
this operating weight. However, the towline used may have a breaking
strength
more than twice the maximum certificated operating weight of the
glider if--
(i) A safety link is installed at the point of attachment of the
towline to
the glider with a breaking strength not less than 80 percent of the
maximum
certificated operating weight of the glider and not greater than
twice this
operating weight.
(ii) A safety link is installed at the point of attachment of the
towline
to the towing aircraft with a breaking strength greater, but not
more than 25
percent greater, than that of the safety link at the towed glider
end of the
towline and not greater than twice the maximum certificated
operating weight
of the glider;
(4) Before conducting any towing operation within the lateral
boundaries of
the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace
designated for an airport, or before making each towing flight
within such
controlled airspace if required by ATC, the pilot in command
notifies the
control tower. If a control tower does not exist or is not in
operation, the
pilot in command must notify the FAA flight service station serving
that
controlled airspace before conducting any towing operations in that
airspace;
and
(5) The pilots of the towing aircraft and the glider have agreed
upon a
general course of action, including takeoff and release signals,
airspeeds,
and emergency procedures for each pilot.
(b) No pilot of a civil aircraft may intentionally release a
towline, after
release of a glider, in a manner that endangers the life or property
of
another.



FAR 91.311 - Towing: Other than under Sec. 91.309.
No pilot of a civil aircraft may tow anything with that aircraft
(other
than under Sec. |91.309|) except in accordance with the terms of a
certificate
of waiver issued by the Administrator.






"BTIZ" wrote in message news:6VZlc.11891$k24.4219@fed1read01...
The good news is that
everywhere else I've been, both commercial operations and clubs have
been happy to have it around. They have examined the FAR's and their
insurance, my qualifications, experience, etc. and have been
satisfied.


They may not be correctly looking at FAR 91.311

Would they tow an aluminum tube cloth wing ultralight that came to the field
behind their tow ship?

FAR 91.311 says they cannot tow anything except as described in 91.309
unless they have a special waiver.. The tow pilot is also putting ticket on
the line.. to tow an ultralight.

I agree with your statement, get the experimental glider airworthiness
certification, get an N number, and remove all doubt.

With recent happenings in this lawsuit hungry world, away from your home
airport, proof of liability insurance is also good to carry with you. Some
will not tow you if you cannot show proof of insurance.

BT

Bob wrote:

(3) The towline used has breaking strength not less than
80 percent of the maximum certificated operating weight
of the glider
....
However, the towline used may have a breaking strength
more than twice the maximum certificated operating weight
of the glider
....
with a breaking strength not less than 80 percent of the
maximum certificated operating weight of the glider
....

and not greater than twice the maximum certificated
operating weight of the glider;
....

Four mentions of "certificated" in a single section, but the FAA doesn't
care what you tow. Gotta love these creative interpretations 8^)

Marc