On Tuesday, 18 October 2016 15:18:15 UTC+2, Waveguru wrote:
It seems that most operations here in the USA use a 200' tow rope, and I've heard that some places in Europe even use a rope as short as 120'. Ropes at our operation are more like 275' because it seems safer and easier when it's longer. What is the rational behind using shorter ropes? I see no reason for short ropes unless you are towing out of a short field.

Boggs

One reason I can think of for a shorter rope is the extra height a tug aircraft requires to clear an obstacle (such as a fence or power line) while landing. Every little bit of extra height greatly increases the required landing distance but if the airfield is that small it probably shouldn't be used for aerotow operations because what is your safety margin on takeoff?
There is always the option of dropping the rope before rejoining the circuit and landing if obstacles are an issue.

Less than 45 meters (150 feet) is looking for trouble IMO.