Commercial Rating for Towing Gliders not needed? in US

On Oct 31, 10:21*pm, Brad wrote:
On Oct 31, 7:54*pm, Pete Brown wrote:



On 10/31/2010 12:53 PM, T wrote:

In the US, a Private rated pilot can tow gliders. He cannot receive
compensation.
A private rated tow pilot can tow for club or commercial operations,
the tow pilot cannot be compensated.

It's not clear to me what basis you have for saying this. I would
caution you not to read in what is not there.

The pertinent parts of FAR 61.113 are shown immediately below and
explicitly *permit a private *pilot to tow for hire or compensation.. RTFR!

Paragraph FAR 61.113 (a) spells out the general prohibitions against
compensation and then paragraphs b through g spell out the exceptions to
the general prohibition.

Sec. 61.113

Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (g) of this section, no
person who holds a private pilot certificate may act as pilot in command
of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation
or hire; nor may that person, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in
command of an aircraft.

(non relevant parts deleted.)

[(g) A private pilot who meets the requirements of Sec. 61.69 may act as
pilot in command of an aircraft towing a glider or unpowered ultralight
vehicle.]

Amdt. 61-110, Eff. 9/1/2004

Mostly, who can tow, is run by the insurance companies.

This is correct. Many insurance companies have higher requirements than
the FAA for towing generally and during contests as well.

--

Pete Brown
Anchorage Alaska

Going home after a long dayhttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1415/1325102827_f322928754_b.jpg

The fleet at Summit. Mt. McKinley is about 45nm away at 20,320 msl.http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/4...cb8d2482_b.jpg

The 170B at Bold near Eklutna Glacierhttp://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/437324742_a216d7bb75.jpg

I'm curious about non-profit clubs that provide towing to commercial
glider operators. The CFIG/Commercial pilot is a club member, using
club towplane and resources, and charging for lessons and commercial
rides. I just don't want to see our club be on the hook if something
happens while he is on tow.

Brad

Now about your more specific question.

My club's instructors are treated as independent contractors. They
charge or not and negotiate the fees with their students. A
commercial tow pilot is not required for member tows. For public
rides, a commercial tow pilot is used. The majority of our tow pilots
hold commercial ratings. That's our approach. Other clubs take other
approaches.

The question is the standards the courts will apply to involved
parties if there's an accident. When people give money for a service,
there is an expectation that the higher commercial standard is in
effect and that's what the courts will find. Does that extend to the
tow plane? I've heard both arguments. What it boils down to is the
exposure to the members of the club. It's the board's responsibility
to explain that to the members and the decision should probably not be
made solely by the board. The board should have a chat with Costello,
if under the SSA group plan.

Frank Whiteley

USA: Don't forget the appropriate medical certificate.
Note that a towpilot with a FAA Commercial Certificate (w/ASEL) can
let their second class FAA medical lapse to a third class, and then
can only exercise Private privileges until that third class medical
expires.

This was an issue discussed at a recent US contest where tows were
conducted for hire. As I heard it, the towpilot had a Commercial
Certificate, but a third class medical.

Look at the situation not so much as an FAA requirement, but as an
insurance requirement that is based on the possibility of pilots and
clubs being judged in a US Court by a jury of non-aviation people.
(Paranoia strikes deep.)

Insert favorite lawyer joke he

On Nov 1, 10:32*am, Burt Compton - Marfa wrote:
USA: *Don't forget the appropriate medical certificate.
Note that a towpilot with a FAA Commercial Certificate (w/ASEL) can
let their second class FAA medical lapse to a third class, and then
can only exercise Private privileges until that third class medical
expires.

This was an issue discussed at a recent US contest where tows were
conducted for hire. *As I heard it, the towpilot had a Commercial
Certificate, but a third class medical.

Look at the situation not so much as an FAA requirement, but as an
insurance requirement that is based on the possibility of pilots and
clubs being judged in a US Court by a jury of non-aviation people.
(Paranoia strikes deep.)

Insert favorite lawyer joke he

We have at least one pilot that does exactly that, takes the third
class for a year.

Frank