Towpilots and Towpilot Membership Information

Towpilot Members are members of CSA who are qualified to fly tows in CSA and other towplane(s) at Owl Canyon Gliderport.

Other CSA Members may also be qualified to fly tows in CSA and other towplane(s) at Owl Canyon Gliderport.

CSA requires all Towpilots to:

  • meet the initial and recurring FAA requirements for towing gliders. ( 91.309 describes operating requirements; 61.69 describes pilot qualifications, including annual proficiency requirements. )
  • have a minimum of a private pilot rating.
    • a commercial rating is preferred.
    • pilots also holding a Private Pilot, Glider rating or higher will be given preference.
    • private Pilots may not tow scenic rides or non-CSA members.
  • be approved by the CSA Chief Towpilot
  • complete a membership application and submit a qualification resume and a letter of understanding about committing to the duty requirements before a check out begins. Non-members may not fly in club owned or operated tow planes. You may submit the resume and letter via e-mail to csa_board at soarcsa.org
  • interview, check out, and recommendation to the CSA board by a board designated examiner is required. A minimum of 10 take off's and landings in the tow plane type are required before towing a glider.
  • pay for their own proficiency flights, except each active Towpilot (towed 10 days in the last 12 months) may take up to three tows (2 x 2,000', 1 x 1,000') per year at CSA expense for the annual proficiency check.

CSA Towpilot Members:

in addition to the above requirements:

  • have a "High Performance" (>200hr) endorsement.
  • meet insurance requirements:
    • 500 hours total time powered aircraft
    • 150 hours tailwheel (100 for non-commercial tows)
    • 10 tows
    • 10 flights make and model
  • be checked out for towing in CSA towplanes
  • provide towing services an average of two days per month
  • join CSA as a Regular Member. At the board's discretion, the initiation fee may be waived. The applicant must maintain the regular membership for a minimum of three months, at which time, he/she can convert  to Towpilot Member status and is eligible to "fly off the initiation fee" after 6 months satisfactory performance. If the decision to convert to Towpilot Member status is not done prior to one year after joining, the applicant’s initiation fee will be forfeited.

In return for providing this service to CSA:

  • CSA dues are waived.
  • Towpilot members may fly club gliders on the same terms as Regular members.
  • Towpilot members are not required to be Ground Operations Director.

 

Payment

  • CSA pays $25 per day + $1.50 per tow for local tows or $5 per tach hour for tows above 9000 MSL and aero retrieves
  • For tows arranged with a glider pilot outside of normal business hours, the towpilot must collect his $25 daily fee directly from the glider pilot.
  • Tow Pilots performing absentia G.O.D. duties will be paid $5 per day.

Liability:

  • Towpilot members are subject to the same damage assessment as other members if they are responsible for damage to club equipment. 

Voting Privileges, etc.,

  • Tow Pilot Members are not entitled to vote.

 

Updated 05/6/2024