FAR 61.69 — Glider Towing Requirements
FAR 61.69 sets the pilot certificate, hours, training endorsements, and currency a PIC needs to tow a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle.
In Plain English
FAR 61.69 spells out what you need before you can act as pilot in command of an aircraft towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle. It's an experience-and-endorsement rule, not a separate rating.
To tow, you must:
- Hold a private, commercial, or ATP certificate with a category rating for powered aircraft.
- Have logged at least 100 hours PIC in the category, class, and type (if a type rating is required) of the tow aircraft.
- Have a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor for ground and flight training covering tow techniques and airspeed limits, emergency procedures, signals, and maximum bank angles.
- Have logged at least 3 flights as sole manipulator either actually towing or simulating tow procedures, with a qualified pilot, plus an endorsement from that pilot.
- Maintain currency within the previous 24 calendar months by either making 3 actual/simulated tows with a qualified pilot, or flying 3 flights as PIC of a glider being towed.
This matters because tow operations involve unique handling, signaling, and emergency considerations — the rule ensures the tow pilot is trained, current, and proficient before pulling a glider into the air.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.69§ 61.69 Glider and unpowered ultralight vehicle towing: Experience and training requirements.
(a) No person may act as pilot in command for towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle unless that person—
(1) Holds a private, commercial or airline transport pilot certificate with a category rating for powered aircraft;
(2) Has logged at least 100 hours of pilot-in-command time in the aircraft category, class and type, if required, that the pilot is using to tow a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle;
(3) Has a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who certifies that the person has received ground and flight training in gliders or unpowered ultralight vehicles and is proficient in—
(i) The techniques and procedures essential to the safe towing of gliders or unpowered ultralight vehicles, including airspeed limitations;
(ii) Emergency procedures;
(iii) Signals used; and
(iv) Maximum angles of bank.
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, has logged at least three flights as the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft while towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle, or has simulated towing flight procedures in an aircraft while accompanied by a pilot who meets the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section.
(5) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, has received a logbook endorsement from the pilot, described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, certifying that the person has accomplished at least 3 flights in an aircraft while towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle, or while simulating towing flight procedures; and
(6) Within 24 calendar months before the flight has—
(i) Made at least three actual or simulated tows of a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle while accompanied by a qualified pilot who meets the requirements of this section; or
(ii) Made at least three flights as pilot in command of a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle towed by an aircraft.
(b) Any person who, before May 17, 1967, has made and logged 10 or more flights as pilot in command of an aircraft towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle in accordance with a certificate of waiver need not comply with paragraphs (a)(4) and (a)(5) of this section.
(c) The pilot, described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, who endorses the logbook of a person seeking towing privileges must have—
(1) Met the requirements of this section prior to endorsing the logbook of the person seeking towing privileges; and
(2) Logged at least 10 flights as pilot in command of an aircraft while towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle.
(d) If the pilot described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section holds only a private pilot certificate, then that pilot must have—
(1) Logged at least 100 hours of pilot-in-command time in airplanes, or 200 hours of pilot-in-command time in a combination of powered and other-than-powered aircraft; and
(2) Performed and logged at least three flights within the 12 calendar months preceding the month that pilot accompanies or endorses the logbook of a person seeking towing privileges—
(i) In an aircraft while towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle accompanied by another pilot who meets the requirements of this section; or
(ii) As pilot in command of a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle being towed by another aircraft.
[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44866, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42555, Aug. 21, 2009]
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What pilot certificate and experience do you need to tow a glider?
Per FAR 61.69, you need a private, commercial, or ATP certificate with a category rating for powered aircraft and at least 100 hours of PIC time in the category, class, and type (if required) of the tow aircraft.
Q2What training endorsements are required before you can act as PIC of a tow flight?
FAR 61.69 requires an instructor endorsement for ground and flight training in tow techniques and airspeed limits, emergency procedures, signals, and maximum bank angles, plus an endorsement from a qualified tow pilot certifying at least 3 actual or simulated tow flights.
Q3How do you stay current to tow gliders?
Under FAR 61.69(a)(6), within the preceding 24 calendar months you must have made at least 3 actual or simulated tows accompanied by a qualified pilot, or 3 flights as PIC of a glider being towed by an aircraft.
Studying for a checkride?
§61.113 Privileges & Limits
Private pilot compensation, pro-rata sharing, and BasicMed limits
§61.57 Recent Flight Experience
90-day passenger, night, and instrument currency rules
§61.89 Student Pilot Limitations
Solo student limits: no passengers, no compensation, minimum visibility
§61.51 Pilot Logbooks
Logging training, aeronautical experience, and recency for certificates
§61.23 Medical Certificate Duration
First-, second-, and third-class medical requirement and validity periods
Instrument Rating Requirements
IFR eligibility and aeronautical experience
Related Sections in Part 61