Tow Vehicle Driver Competency Checklist

Candidate must successfully demonstrate competency for each of the following criteria • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Retrieve and stage tow line on the runway in preparation for glider launch. Recognize excessive wear and kinks in wire. Prepare and assist hooking up glider to tow bar or dolly for taxiing. Taxi a glider to staging area on runway with tow vehicle. Maintain good speed control and keep sufficient clearance to clear obstructions. Unroll and hook up parachute to tow line. Connect appropriate weak link to glider and parachute. Recognize excessive wear on weak link. Use proper hand signals when connecting the tow line to the glider. Perform a test release with pilot. Coordinate maximum tow speed with pilot prior to launch. Take out tow line slack at appropriate speed. Clearly and properly announce the launch to airport traffic. Identify proper runway numbers. Begin tow with proper acceleration. Respond promptly to speed increase, decrease, and hold commands. Properly direct the glider for left/right positioning when on tow. Left and right directions based on crosswind must be given from the pilot’s perspective. Allow plenty of room to slow down at the end of the tow. Maintain enough speed to keep line and parachute in tension until parachute is on the ground. Stop immediately when parachute reaches the ground. Move to the downwind side of the runway and stop in case of a wire break. Retrieve parachute from tow line. Roll up parachute in preparation for next use. Retrieve and re-stage wire with the tow vehicle. Speed not excessive--Turns not excessively sharp. Store wire on edge of runway in proper location with cones marking the ends.

Competency List (5-13-2017)

Andrew Askwith Jo Shaw James Cogburn Stephen Layton Belinda Layton

Barbara Askwith Charles Shaw Paul Elliott Dale Briscoe