Tow Plane Positioning Procedures
By: John Bolyard - 04/04/10

The tow plane should taxi along the west side of the field, as per usual.  After that, if there are launches to still be completed, the positioning of the tow should be determined according to whether or not the next sailplane is ready to be launched.

If there will be a delay before the next launch, such that the tow will be shut down, do so on the west side of the field. The tow rope should be clear of areas that may possibly be used by other taxiing AC.  Then, there is the option to either drag the tow rope around the back of the tow by hand, so that the rope is positioned ready to be connected to the sailplane at takeoff time, such that the tow will take up slack beginning from the west side of the field, or the rope can be left trailed along the taxiway until the sailplane is ready, when the tow will be taxied across the field to the east side prior to connecting and taking up slack. 

If, on the other hand, it appears that the tow can keep its engine running until the next tow, the tow should remain on the west side of the field until the next sailplane is ready.  When the sailplane is ready, the tow can be taxied across the field in front of the sailplane to the east side of the runway, awaiting immediate hookup and tensioning of the rope.

What is not desired is for the tow to be shut down on the east side of the field in any scenario.  It will, of course, take coordination and communication of all involved to avoid having the tow on the east side of the field for any more time than necessary.

Additional News Items

» Our New Pawnee Tow Plane
» Minden - 2010
» Doing the Right Thing
» Brad Jackson - Diamond Altitude
» Tow Plane Positioning Procedures
» Pancake Breakfast/Lube Day - 03Apr10
» CSA Nuts and Bolts - 01Apr10
» Notes from the Club President - March 2010
» Notes from the Club President - February 2010
» SSA Annual Meeting in the frozen wastelands of Little Rock, Arkansas
» Nat Swanson - Solo
» There I Was…
» Pancake Breakfast / Lube Day
» Paul Mathis - Solo!
» From the Club President

Club Officers:

  • President: Tom Johnson
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  • Vice President: Ralph Tarver
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  • Secretary: John Bolyard
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  • Financial Officer: Roger Hinote
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  • Civil Air Patrol Liaison: Jason Depew
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Club Instructors:

Certified Flight Instructors - Glider (CFIG)
  • Alan Edwards
  • Dave Galloway
  • Roger Hinote
  • Brad Jackson
  • Tom Johnson
  • Joe Kuehmeier
  • Emmett Moran
  • Sean Noronha
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
  • Alan Edwards
  • Dave Galloway
  • Brad Jackson

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