I have my new Sparrow Hawk

Brian... read 91.311, it says you can't tow ANYTHING (banners, whatever)
without a waiver, except as outlined in 91.309. 91.309 is the "glider tow"
endorsement.

Our insurance carrier has made it clear that without an airworthy
certification that says "glider" we are not covered. Arguments about FARs
are open to debate, that's why we have lawyers.

BT


"Brian Case" wrote in message
om...
Actually it would be more reasonable to argue the other direction.

I haven't looked it up but if I recall my definitions the FAA does not
consider an ultralight vehical to be an Aircraft. While It may meet
the definiation of a glider, if meets the definition of an ultralight
the FAA does not reconginize it as an aircraft and as a result it does
not need to be registered, Certified or require a Pilot Certificate to
fly it.

I do not recall any regulation concerning towing of ultralight
vehicals so It could be argued that as far as the regulations are
concerned there are no tow pilot requirements for towing ultralight
vehicals. As such a newly licensed recreational Pilot might be able to
Tow ultralight vehicals with no endorsements required. They would have
to be careful not to be receiving any compensation for doing so.

Just because it might be allowed by the regulations does not make it
safe or reasonable to try it. Insurance wording is an entirely
different matter.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL



First I will ask a question, Is the Sparrow Hawk registered with an
N-number
and does it have an Airworthiness Cert that it is a "glider"

If not your club needs to re-look at it's insurance, and your tow pilots
at
their ratings.. They are certified to tow gliders, not any thing else,
if
they are towing an ultra light that is not certified by the FAA as a
"glider" and has an N-number registration, they are in violation of FARs
and
most likely the tow plane's insurance is in violation. At that point in
time
it matters not if the "ultra light" has insurance or not.

JMHO
BT