Re: Glider Towing Pilot Vacancies?

Gliding

Glider Towing Pilot Vacancies?

tom 11/08/2009, 3:34 PM
Hello all, I have just finished my JAR PPL and i am in need of hours. I would like to get into glider towing. Ive emailed a couple of local clubs, however that is not looking good as most require me to be a glider pilot. I have heard from some of my commercial colleagues, that there are a few glider clubs that do in fact teach you up to towing standard. I do not require payment but only that of the hours i obtain in the air. I would be most grateful if someone could guide me into the right direction.
Thank in advance
Tom.

Re: Glider Towing Pilot Vacancies?

John Smith 31/08/2009, 11:54 AM
A bit late in the season to look for a club that has vacancies. Some larger clubs do take on tug pilots with little experience to cover a full season. Smaller clubs tend to use pilots from within the club with gliding experience as that counts a lot when the glider pilot wants to be towed into good lift - something you learn as a glider pilot or after some time as a tug pilot. Some clubs require a Silver C and a minimum of 100 hrs P1 due to insurance requirements. As a lot of the towplanes are tail draggers you will need tailwheel experience unless the club has a dual aircraft and someone qualified to do the differences training. It can be quite hard work at the busier clubs as you have to integrate into both the power and gliding operations. Best time to look for positions is around December until March when the bigger clubs may be looking for someone to cover for the summer season. Also you really need a gliding club which is mainly or completely aerotow as a lot of winch launch clubs only utilise the tug on an occasional basis.