Tow pilot PIC

Did I read, or did I imagine it, that here in the US when a glider is
being towed, the tow pilot is the Pilot In Command of that combination
and as such, is the final authority of that flight?

Are there any FARs to support my curiosity?

Thanks,

Bob

Common sense; he has the fan and everything goes where
he points it. You have three options --- accept it,
request a change, release.


At 14:54 06 September 2006, Bob wrote:
Did I read, or did I imagine it, that here in the US
when a glider is
being towed, the tow pilot is the Pilot In Command
of that combination
and as such, is the final authority of that flight?

Are there any FARs to support my curiosity?

Thanks,

Bob

Since when has common sense and FARs had anything to do with each other
;)
(Just kidding of course!)

Nyal Williams wrote:
Common sense; he has the fan and everything goes where
he points it. You have three options --- accept it,
request a change, release.


At 14:54 06 September 2006, Bob wrote:
Did I read, or did I imagine it, that here in the US
when a glider is
being towed, the tow pilot is the Pilot In Command
of that combination
and as such, is the final authority of that flight?

Are there any FARs to support my curiosity?

Thanks,

Bob

"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
Since when has common sense and FARs had anything to do with each other
;)
(Just kidding of course!)

I'll quote Jim Mackin from another group:

Please note that part 91 starts with "Except..."

Al G

Since when has common sense and FARs had anything to do with each other
;)
(Just kidding of course!)

Nyal Williams wrote:
Common sense; he has the fan and everything goes where
he points it. You have three options --- accept it,
request a change, release.


At 14:54 06 September 2006, Bob wrote:
Did I read, or did I imagine it, that here in the US
when a glider is
being towed, the tow pilot is the Pilot In Command
of that combination
and as such, is the final authority of that flight?

Are there any FARs to support my curiosity?

Thanks,

Bob

Bob wrote:
Did I read, or did I imagine it, that here in the US when a glider is
being towed, the tow pilot is the Pilot In Command of that combination
and as such, is the final authority of that flight?

Are there any FARs to support my curiosity?

Thanks,

Bob

When I'm at the front of the rope I'm PIC of the tug. When I'm at the
back of the rope I'm PIC of the glider. I don't recall ever hearing
of a pilot in command of the combination. There is a (hopefully) brief
exposure where the glider pilot has to accept whatever the tug does but
for most of the flight the glider pilot can end the arrangement at
will.

Andy

The Tow pilot may be "Flight Lead", but #2 is able to terminate the
formation at any time at his discretion.

I know of no FARs that determine responsibility other than 91.111 that I am
aware of.
And that simply states you cannot fly in formation without the permission
and knowledge of every Pilot in the formation.

BT

"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
Did I read, or did I imagine it, that here in the US when a glider is
being towed, the tow pilot is the Pilot In Command of that combination
and as such, is the final authority of that flight?

Are there any FARs to support my curiosity?

Thanks,

Bob

The tow pilot is definitely not the PIC of the combination.
I have flown gliders for hire at many airshows with
a private-rated tow pilot. We get ramp checked at
almost every show, and the FAA has never questioned
it.



At 23:48 06 September 2006, Btiz wrote:
The Tow pilot may be 'Flight Lead', but #2 is able
to terminate the
formation at any time at his discretion.

I know of no FARs that determine responsibility other
than 91.111 that I am
aware of.
And that simply states you cannot fly in formation
without the permission
and knowledge of every Pilot in the formation.

BT

'Bob' wrote in message
roups.com...
Did I read, or did I imagine it, that here in the
US when a glider is
being towed, the tow pilot is the Pilot In Command
of that combination
and as such, is the final authority of that flight?

Are there any FARs to support my curiosity?

Thanks,

Bob

I have heard of an airshow glider pilot being hassled
for not having a formation endosrement on his SAC card.

Another interesting tow pilot fact: Once tow rated,
you are rated in any cat/class aircraft you are licensed
to fly. Technically, 3 simulated tows in a 152 could
qualify you to tow with a helicopter, gyroplane, balloon,
airship or motorglider.

I love loopholes ;o)

At 20:54 07 September 2006, Kirk.Stant wrote:

T o d d P a t t i s t wrote:

It's 91.111. I'm not aware of any glider pilots who
have
been violated under 91.111 for aerotowing near the
towplane
or thermalling/cruising on a ridge near other gliders.
When I took my commercial glider flight test, the
DPE
claimed gliders have some sort of 'implied' arrangement
with
other gliders under 91.111(b). It was just his opinion
as
far as I know.

Sec. 91.111 Operating near other aircraft.
(a) No person may operate an aircraft so close
to
another aircraft as to create a collision hazard.
(b) No person may operate an aircraft in formation
flight except by arrangement with the pilot in command
of
each aircraft in the formation.
(c) No person may operate an aircraft, carrying
passengers for hire, in formation flight.

Hmm...kinda leaves commercial glider pilots hanging
in the wind, so to
speak... unless aero-towing is not formation flight.
Yeah, that's it,
there is obviously no way a glider can formate with
a power plane!

Ahh, fun with FARs...

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