I was rather surprised to read this thread. In england we seam to have
the opposite problem. Our club has 5 tugs a cub, a pawnee and 3 x
robins. We have one staff tow pilot for the summer and the rest are
volunteers. We have a regular queue of pilots wanting to join the
established pool of about 40 pilots.
Not being a Tuggie myself I dont know the hours requirements but I do
know we wont accept anyone without glider flying experience.
Incidentally the staff tug pilot position is very keenly contested. We try

to offer it to someone who is hours building towards a commercial
career. A friend of mine managed to fly 450hrs on summer in 10
minute increments. They got very good at landings and takoffs which
came in very hand when they had an engine fire a 50ft with a glider on
the back.