On Oct 31, 11:09*am, glidergeek wrote:
"...the general part of the rule, a private pilot may not act as pilot
in command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for
compensation or hire"...

6) glider and ultralight towing.

So does that last bit mean we can have contest tow pilots using their
private ticket?

I believe the SSA is a non profit org. But I do believe they have to
contract tow plane owners.
Unless the tow plane owner is donating there plane's services it may
not qualify.
A group or club may be a different deal as long as the pilot or club/
group isn't being comped.

In the US, a Private rated pilot can tow gliders. He cannot receive
compensation.
A private rated tow pilot can tow for club or commercial operations,
the tow pilot cannot be compensated.

Mostly, who can tow, is run by the insurance companies.
Most may require the tow pilot to be commercially rated for a
commercial "ride for hire" glider tow. That is between the insurance
company and the commercially run glider company. This is above the FAA
14CFR requirements.

The insurance company that "insures the event" for a contest may
require the tow pilots to be commercially rated. This is above the FAA
14CFR requirements and is between the insurance company and the
contest event organizers.