I have held off saying anything for a while but the time has come (some will realise why I kept quiet till today!!).
At the time of tow pilot training or revalidation this FIRST question should be asked * ARE YOU AN AG PILOT?* If *YES* then continue with your usual glider towing training If *NO* then read on. The next question should be *"Have you flown a GA plane at AUW?" * Some may answer yes or ask for more. Discussion should follow with the plane they flew at AUW and what their experience was. Next question is *"Have you flown a GA plane overweight *(but still in G of G naturally)*"* Most will not admit to it but some will. Then let them explain there experience or offer them some advice. I am not promoting over weight flying but basically *most glider towing is just like flying a GA plane overweight.* You must just break the ground and let the speed build up flying parallel to ground and once you have say 10kts more than your usual climb out speed SMOOTHLY climb out. All flying and turns should be done smoothly. Most AG planes are basically taking off over their all up weight - notice how long their flying parallel to ground is!. I friend of mine (just a PPL) bought a AG wagon to spread his own super and a glider partner of mine (who used to be an ag pilot) told him how to operate with 1/2 super loads and he will survive his own ag flying. AG and glider tow planes are back to normal weight for landing so no problems. I am afraid to report of the 5 newer glider tow pilots I have spoken to over the past year not one had been given the analogy of towing being similar to flying a plane overweight flying. I am afraid there are many tow pilots out there (especially not regular glider pilots) who have not thought about their "overweight take offs". There are 3 glider pilots (Stowe Kentish would name them) who routinely fly their big gliders overweight and that is a quick learning experience when your the tow pilot. You may care to pass onto tow pilots within your club if you do not think they will see this. A tow pilot is responsible for himself and if a 2 seater glider behind - 2 other pilots. There should in the future never ever be a tow pilot who endangers the life of the glider pilots they are towing. Do not tolerate a tow pilot hauling back on the nose of tug and hanging on the prop except perhaps if they have a Ka6 on the back. If with medium to heavy gliders they do not fly as if taking off overweight sack them!! I am very lucky to have had great glider towing training in my youth! (Ian Dalby at Narromine and Gus Mauch Warwick) Thanks for reading my rant Ian McPhee
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