FAR 91.309 — Glider Towing Requirements
FAR 91.309 covers glider and unpowered ultralight towing: pilot qualifications, tow-hitch and towline strength, ATC notification, and pilot coordination requirements.
In Plain English
FAR 91.309 sets the rules for any civil aircraft towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle. It exists to make sure both aircraft are properly equipped, the pilots are trained, and the operation doesn't surprise ATC or other traffic.
Before towing, the following must be true:
- Pilot qualification: The PIC of the tow plane must be qualified under § 61.69 (glider tow endorsement).
- Aircraft and tow-hitch: The tow plane must hold a standard or special airworthiness certificate with an approved tow-hitch properly installed.
- Towline strength: The towline must break between 80% and 200% of the glider's maximum certificated operating weight. A stronger line is allowed only if safety links are installed at each end, with the tow-plane-end link up to 25% stronger than the glider-end link (and never more than 2× the glider's weight).
- ATC notification: Before towing within Class B, C, D, or surface-area Class E, notify the control tower (or FSS if no tower).
- Pilot coordination: Both pilots must agree on takeoff and release signals, airspeeds, and emergency procedures.
After the glider releases, the tow pilot may not drop the towline in a way that endangers people or property on the ground.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.309§ 91.309 Towing: Gliders and unpowered ultralight vehicles.
(a) No person may operate a civil aircraft towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle unless—
(1) The pilot in command of the towing aircraft is qualified under § 61.69 of this chapter;
(2) The towing aircraft has:
(i) A standard airworthiness certificate and is equipped with a tow-hitch of a kind, and installed in a manner, that is approved by the Administrator;
(ii) A special airworthiness certificate for which a type certificate has been issued, and is equipped with a tow-hitch of a kind, and installed in a manner, that is approved or otherwise authorized by the Administrator; or
(iii) A special airworthiness certificate, for which the aircraft has not been previously issued a type certificate, and is equipped with a tow-hitch of a kind that is approved or otherwise acceptable to, and is installed in a manner acceptable to, the Administrator;
(3) The towline used has breaking strength not less than 80 percent of the maximum certificated operating weight of the glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle 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 or unpowered ultralight vehicle if—
(i) A safety link is installed at the point of attachment of the towline to the glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle with a breaking strength not less than 80 percent of the maximum certificated operating weight of the glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle 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 or unpowered ultralight vehicle end of the towline and not greater than twice the maximum certificated operating weight of the glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle;
(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 or unpowered ultralight vehicle 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 or unpowered ultralight vehicle, in a manner that endangers the life or property of another.
[Docket 18834, 54 FR 34308, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-227, 56 FR 65661, Dec. 17, 1991; Amdt. 91-282, 69 FR 44880, July 27, 2004; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 91-381, 90 FR 35220, July 24, 2025]
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You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What pilot certification is required to tow a glider, and where is it found?
Per FAR 91.309(a)(1), the pilot in command of the towing aircraft must be qualified under FAR 61.69, which covers the glider tow endorsement requirements.
Q2What are the towline breaking strength limits for a glider tow operation?
Under FAR 91.309(a)(3), the towline must have a breaking strength of at least 80% and no more than 200% of the glider's maximum certificated operating weight, unless approved safety links are installed at both ends.
Q3Before towing a glider within Class D airspace, what must the tow pilot do?
FAR 91.309(a)(4) requires the PIC to notify the control tower before conducting towing operations; if no tower exists or it's closed, the pilot must notify the FAA flight service station serving that airspace.
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