If you have at least a private pilots certificate and 500 hours pilot in command time, this is an excellent opportunity to gain more experience.

You can log hours for free every day we operate.
Fly a well maintained Piper Pawnee. We will train you in both the tow plane and our sailplanes.
We are now flying Saturdays & Sundays at the LaGrange-Callaway Airport (LGC).
Dependable, Safe pilots are encouraged to apply.

 

The following is required to tow per our insurer.  
1 500 hours pilot in command time. 
2 100 hours tail wheel. 
3 If you do not meet the requirements above 
  you can be added named on the club insurance policy. It costs the club 
  $100 to name 1 pilot or 100 pilots. 
4 10 takeoffs and landings in the Pawnee. 


Additionally 
5 Obviously a tail wheel endorsement in your logbook is required. 
6 You must comply with FAR part 61.69 and part 91.309. 
7 You must have logged in your logbook instruction in gliders. 
8 Cockpit familiarization in the Pawnee. 
9 Simulated or actual dual tows. 
10 You must have logged in your logbook an endorsement for towing 
gliders from another qualified tow pilot. 

If you all are still interested, lets get the ball rolling.          
Contact our Chief Towpilot: 
Todd at (334) 279-9099 tpettigrew@knology.net

Learn more about Aerotow

SES Tow Procedures (PDF)

FAR 61.69 FAA Requirements for Tow Pilots (PDF)

Tow Pilots Wanted Poster (PDF)

American Soaring Signals PDF summary- Detailed: Ground Signals html, Airborne Signals html

View the Soaring Safety Foundation Signals Video here (For high speed internet connections only)

Tow Pilot Course - The SSF has joined forces with Headquarters Civil Air Patrol (CAP) to bring you an on-line Tow Pilot Course. The scope and purpose of this course is to provide standardized tow pilot training producing safe and competent tow pilots. The course is open to all in the soaring and CAP community.

Tow pilot training list (PDF) developed by the civil air patrol.

Wing Runner Course - Safe soaring operations depend upon good coordination between the glider pilot, tow pilot, and ground crew. The following pages comprise a web-based course on wingrunning--from ground handling through the actual launch of the glider.

Tow Log Sheet .doc

PA-25-235 Piper Pawnee

General Description

Specifications

• Wingspan: 36 ft. 2.5 in.
• Length: 24 ft. 9 in.
• Height: 7 ft. 2 in.
• Wing area: 183 sq. ft.
• Empty weight: 1288 Ibs
• MTOW: 2900 Ibs
• Description: Low-wing braced monoplane. The fuselage consists of a welded steel-tube structure covered with fabric.
• Power plant: 235 H.P. Lycoming 0-540-B2B5 flat 6 cylinder piston engine

Performance

• Max. speed: 102 kt
• Cruise speed: 91 kt
• Rate of climb: 630 fpm
• Service ceiling 13000 ft

The Pawnee was designed specifically for agricultural duties, and production deliveries commenced in August 1959. The fuselage is so designed that, in a low-speed crash of a type usually associated with crop spraying, the fuselage will fail progressively from the front to reduce the deceleration of the cockpit. All heavy objects or loads are forward of the cockpit. The Pawnee is a popular glider tug.

Pawnee Type Certificate (unofficial)

Tow Log Sheet .doc