PART 5Operations
CHAPTER 3Specialised activities
Towing of gliders87.
(1)
An aircraft in flight must not tow a glider unless—
(a)
the towing aircraft has a certificate of airworthiness and—
(i)
that certificate has been issued or rendered valid for that aircraft under the law of the country in which the aircraft is registered; and
(ii)
that certificate, or the flight manual for the aircraft, includes an express provision that it may be used for that purpose; or
(b)
the towing aircraft has been authorised to do so by—
(i)
the CAA; or
(ii)
an organisation approved by the CAA to provide such an authorisation.
(2)
The length of the combination of towing aircraft, tow rope and glider in flight must not exceed 150 metres.
(3)
The pilot in command of an aircraft which is about to tow a glider must be satisfied, before the towing aircraft takes off that—
(a)
the tow rope is in good condition and is of adequate strength for the purpose;
(b)
the combination of towing aircraft and glider, having regard to its performance in the conditions to be expected on the intended flight and to any obstructions at the place of departure and on the intended route, is capable of safely taking off, reaching and maintaining a safe height at which to separate the combination;
(c)
after separation the towing aircraft can make a safe landing at the place of intended destination;
(d)
signals have been agreed and communication established with persons suitably stationed so as to enable the glider to take off safely; and
(e)
emergency signals have been agreed between the pilot in command of the towing aircraft and the pilot in command of the glider, to be used, respectively, by the pilot in command of the towing aircraft to indicate that the tow should immediately be released by the glider, and by the pilot in command of the glider to indicate that the tow cannot be released.
(4)
The glider must be attached to the towing aircraft by means of the tow rope before the aircraft takes off.