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(a) To be eligible for a glider tow rating a pilot must—
(1) have a minimum of 100 hours as pilot-in-command in an aeroplane; and
(2) have successfully completed a course in towing gliders conducted by a gliding organisation if the organisation’s Part 149 certificate authorises the holder to conduct the course; and
(3) have successfully demonstrated competence in the towing of gliders to an appropriately authorised person within a gliding organisation if the organisation’s Part 149 certificate authorises the holder to conduct the assessment.
(b) The holder of a current glider tow rating issued by an ICAO Contracting State is deemed to have met the requirements of paragraph (a)(2).
(a) If the authorised person who conducted the competency demonstration required by rule 61.601 is satisfied that the pilot complies with rule 61.601, the authorised person may issue the glider tow rating by entering the following statement in the pilot’s logbook:
I certify that on [date of assessment] [name of pilot and client number] satisfied the requirements of Part 61 of the Civil Aviation Rules for the issue of a glider tow rating. [enter the date, full name, signature, and licence number of the flight instructor issuing the rating].
(b) The holder of a glider tow rating issued under paragraph (a) may apply to the Director to have the rating endorsed on the holder’s pilot licence.
(c) On receipt of an application under paragraph (b) and payment of the applicable fee, the Director may endorse the pilot licence with the glider tow rating.
(d) To avoid doubt, a statement of endorsement made in a pilot’s logbook prior to 15 April 2016 is deemed to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (a) of rule 61.601.
A current glider tow rating authorises the holder to act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft on glider tow operations subject to the privileges and limitations of their pilot licence.
(a) A holder of a glider tow rating must not exercise the privileges of the rating unless,—
(1) within the previous 12 months, the holder has performed at least 6 glider tows; or
(2) within the previous 12 months, the holder has demonstrated competency in accordance with the requirements of rule 61.601(a)(3); and
(3) the authorised person who conducts the competency demonstration certifies the successful completion of the check in the holder’s logbook in accordance with rule 61.29.
(b) A pilot who completes the competency demonstration within 60 days before the date on which it is required is deemed to have completed the demonstration on the required date.
