AMC1 FCL.805 Sailplane towing and banner towing rating

ED Decision 2018/009/R

THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE AND FLYING TRAINING

(a)     The aim of the towing instruction is to qualify licence holders to tow banners or sailplanes. 

(b)     The DTO or the ATO should issue a certificate of satisfactory completion of the instruction to licence endorsement.

(c)      Theoretical knowledge: towing of sailplanes

The theoretical knowledge syllabus for towing of sailplanes should cover the revision or explanation of:

(1)     regulations about towing flights;

(2)     equipment for the towing activity;

(3)     sailplane towing techniques, including:

(i)      signals and communication procedures;

(ii)     take-off (normal and crosswind);

(iii)     in-flight launch procedures; 

(iv)     descending on tow;

(v)      sailplane release procedure;

(vi)     tow rope release procedure;

(vii)    landing with tow rope connected (if applicable);

(viii)   emergency procedures during tow, including equipment malfunctions;

(ix)     safety procedures;

(x)      flight performance of the applicable aircraft type when towing sailplanes;

(xi)     look-out and collision avoidance;

(xii)    performance data sailplanes, including:

(A)     suitable speeds;

(B)     stall characteristics in turns.

(d)     Theoretical knowledge: banner towing

The theoretical knowledge syllabus for banner towing should cover the revision or explanation of:

(1)     regulations about banner towing; 

(2)     equipment for the banner towing activity;

(3)     ground crew coordination;

(4)     pre-flight procedures;

(5)     banner towing techniques, including:

(i)      take-off launch;

(ii)     banner pickup manoeuvres;

(iii)     flying with a banner in tow;

(iv)     release procedure;

(v)      landing with a banner in tow (if applicable);

(vi)     emergency procedures during tow, including equipment malfunctions;

(vii)    safety procedures;

(viii)   flight performance of the applicable aircraft type when towing a heavy or light banner;

(ix)     prevention of stall during towing operations. 

(e)     Flying training: towing of sailplanes

The exercises of the towing training syllabus for towing sailplanes should be repeated as necessary until the student achieves a safe and competent standard and should comprise at least the following practical training items:

(1)     take-off procedures (normal and crosswind take-offs);

(2)     360° circles on tow with a bank of 30° and more;

(3)     descending on tow;

(4)     release procedure of the sailplane;

(5)     landing with the tow rope connected (if applicable);

(6)     tow rope release procedure in-flight;

(7)     emergency procedures (simulation);

(8)     signals and communication during tow.

(f)      Flying training: banner towing

The exercises of the towing training syllabus for banner towing should be repeated as necessary until the student achieves a safe and competent standard and should comprise at least the following practical training items: 

(1)     pickup manoeuvres;

(2)     towing in-flight techniques;

(3)     release procedures;

(4)     flight at critically low air speeds;

(5)     maximum performance manoeuvres;

(6)     emergency manoeuvres to include equipment malfunctions (simulated);

(7)     specific banner towing safety procedures;

(8)     go-around with the banner connected;

(9)     loss of engine power with the banner attached (simulated).