91.309 a (3) ii

*Does your glider operation use a weak link at the tow plane end of the
rope, as required by 91.309 a (3) ii?


Jack

---*

§ 91.309 Towing: Gliders and unpowered ultralight vehicles.

http://tinyurl.com/fllgz

_ (a) No person may operate a civil aircraft towing a glider or
unpowered ultralight vehicle unless---_

(1) The pilot in command of the towing aircraft is qualified under
§61.69 of this chapter;

(2) The towing aircraft is equipped with a tow-hitch of a kind, and
installed in a manner, that is approved by the Administrator;

_ (3) The towline used has breaking strength not less than 80 percent of
the maximum certificated operating weight of the glider or unpowered
ultralight vehicle and not more than twice this operating weight.
However, the towline used may have a breaking strength more than twice
the maximum certificated operating weight of the glider or unpowered
ultralight vehicle if---_

_ (i) A safety link is installed at the point of attachment of the
towline to the glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle with a breaking
strength not less than 80 percent of the maximum certificated operating
weight of the glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle and not greater
than twice this operating weight;_

_ (ii) A safety link is installed at the point of attachment of the
towline to the towing aircraft with a breaking strength greater, but not
more than 25 percent greater, than that of the safety link at the towed
glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle end of the towline and not
greater than twice the maximum certificated operating weight of the
glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle;_

(4) Before conducting any towing operation within the lateral boundaries
of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace
designated for an airport, or before making each towing flight within
such controlled airspace if required by ATC, the pilot in command
notifies the control tower. If a control tower does not exist or is not
in operation, the pilot in command must notify the FAA flight service
station serving that controlled airspace before conducting any towing
operations in that airspace; and

(5) The pilots of the towing aircraft and the glider or unpowered
ultralight vehicle have agreed upon a general course of action,
including takeoff and release signals, airspeeds, and emergency
procedures for each pilot.

(b) No pilot of a civil aircraft may intentionally release a towline,
after release of a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle, in a manner
that endangers the life or property of another.