On Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 7:07:34 PM UTC-4, wrote:
I'm a new glider pilot looking at purchasing a 1-26.

I'm looking at gaining the flights and experience to get the Commercial Glider and adding the CFI-G to my existing CFI-A.

I envision doing auto tows at my local 3200ft airport. I'll hopefully be getting to 600AGL to just do laps around the pattern. I'd plan to use a 1000ft rope and my 8.1L Chevy Suburban.

What's everyone's take on auto towing a 1-26 mostly just for the fun of very quick flights? Do I need a logbook endorcement for ground launching?

Back in the late 70's we did auto tow at the old Kendall Gliderport in Miami. The tow vehicle was an old station wagon and we used a steel wire along with a weak link. We could get high enough for a pattern tow and several of us were able to get the rating at that time.