On Monday, November 26, 2012 11:23:00 PM UTC-7, Alan wrote:

As an aside, I once considered towing, since I found out that it can be

done with a private license, but was seriously put off when I read of some

of the bad things that can happen -- such as a glider pulling ones tail up

at a low altitude.



Having read about that, I have become more sensitive to what I am doing

at the back end of the rope, but also a lot less willing to fly a towplane.



I would love to read more of your thoughts as an experienced/active tow

pilot of these risks.



Alan

The following is based on an in-depth study of NTSB reports for the last 10 years (2001 - 2011)looking at accidents directly involving aero towing gliders. This is for 130,000 - 140,000 tows per year.

49 NTSB reports.
14 tow pilot fatalities.
13 glider pilot fatalities.
21 serious injuries.

OTOH, Germany's ~900 clubs did between 800,000 and 1,000,000 winch launches last year for just 5 accidents with 3 fatalities. Reference: DAeC and BFU, Germany's SSA and NTSB equivalents respectively.