Accredited Activity Information

1. There is no cost for this activity
2. Activity Description

Aerotow is the most common glider launch method used in the United States. This WINGS activity expands upon your previous glider aerotow training. When aerotowing, there are two positions a glider pilot can fly. The normal position is just above the tow plane’s wake. The second position is just below the tow plane’s wake. These are commonly referred to as high tow and low tow.

In routine practice, most glider pilots only fly in a high tow position. This works well under most situations. However, the low tow position does afford some advantages. In low tow, the glider pilot has a better view of the towplane. Low tow is also more aerodynamically efficient as the tow plane requires less upward elevator. The most obvious advantage to low tow is realized in level flight during a cross-country tow. During a normal climb the tow plane’s wake is below and behind the towplane as it climbs away. However, when level; the wake is directly behind the towplane. In this case in order to fly a position slightly above the wake the glider pilot must fly above the tow plane. Being above the tow plane is generally recognized as an unsafe position thus a transition to low tow is desired.

When towing cross-country, many will argue one would just takeoff and climb indefinitely until reaching a point where a release will allow the glider to fly to the intended destination. This may indeed work well on a clear day, or when the cross-country tow is relatively short. In real life however, airspace restrictions or cloud cover may mandate a tow where level flight is required. Unfortunately, many tow and glider pilots do not think this through until confronted with a need to level off. Transitioning from climb to level flight is best done in a systematic manner with purpose and precision. The tow pilot and glider pilot must work together to a common set of expectations and procedures.

The glider pilot should take the lead in the planning cycle. If the execution fails, it is the glider pilot who will find themselves in the worse position. Uncoordinated or abrupt level offs will likely result in the glider developing an excessive slack line. This may result in the pilot pulling the release due to this slack or an unplanned back release of a CG tow release. Regardless of the reason for the release; an unscheduled landing at a location other than intended is the likely outcome. Having a simple plan and practicing it periodically as outline in this WINGS Flight Activity will prepare you for a future cross-country aerotow.

Knowledge:

1. How the tow plane generates wake turbulence.
2. Knowledge of the elements related to normal (high; slightly above the wake) tow.
3. Knowledge of the elements related to low (slightly below the wake) tow.
4. The benefits of both normal (high) tow and low tow.
5. The glider pilot’s role in briefing the tow pilots regarding:
   1. Airspeeds
   2. Route of flight
   3. Altitude
   4. Level off procedures
   5. Emergencies

Risk Management:

1. Climbing too high above the tow plane’s wake.
2. Descending too far below the tow plane’s wake.
3. Abrupt tow pilot inputs during level off.
4. Failure to take corrective action at the first indication of a slack line.

Skills:

1. Conducts a briefing with the tow pilot to cover:
   1. Glider performance and limitations
   2. Route of flight/tow profile.
   3. Level off procedure
   4. Emergencies.
2. Makes smooth and correct control applications to transition from normal (high) to low tow position while maintaining positive control
3. Maintains proper low tow position during turns.
4. Maintains proper low tow position during transition from climb to level flight.
5. Recognizes slack line and applies immediate, positive and smooth corrective action to eliminate the slack line.

Procedure

1. Prebrief with the tow pilot, instructor and pilot.
2. Normal take off with initial climb out in a normal (high) tow position.
3. At a comfortable altitude transition through the wake to low tow position.
4. When established in low tow direct the tow pilot to execute a series of 90 degree and 180 degree turns in both directions.
5. Return to straight flight and direct the tow pilot to level off.
   1. Tow pilot maintains constant tow airspeed
   2. Tow pilot slowly reduces the throttle while maintaining airspeed until the climb is stopped.
   3. Once stabilized in level flight the tow pilot can maintain level flight while increasing throttle until reaching the prebriefed cruise airspeed.
6. Transition back through the wake at cruise speed to just above the tow plane’s wake. Note you are above the tow plane.
7. Release from tow.

Additional Discussion

Your club intends to showcase the glider club and potentially recruit some new members by displaying a glider and tow plane at a local municipal airport’s open house. You are going to aerotow a club ASK-21 from your home field to the airport 100 miles away. The whole area is VFR however there is a solid overcast layer at approximately 4000’ MSL (3500’AGL). While briefing with the tow pilot you decide to plan a level off at 3000’ MSL to stay well beneath the cloud deck. At the halfway point it becomes obvious the ceiling is lowering and you need to descend 500’ to maintain VFR. How would you perform this descent?

3. Syllabus S-BF2-W-1.0-01 Flight Operations away from airports/heliports/seaplane bases

• Normal Takeoff
• Glider Aerotow
• Glider Aerotow during cruise flight

4. References:

• FAA-S-8081-22 Private Pilot Practical Test Standard for Glider
• FAA-H-8083-13 Glider Flying Handbook, Chapter 7
• POH/AFM.

5. Additional information

None

6. This activity was created on 1/20/2026
7. If you have questions about this activity, please contact pwrlessflt@msn.com