Under a Notice of Availability and Request for Comment published today by the FAA, glider towing would become a restricted category special purpose operation. The FAA is proposing a policy that would “include the flight operation of glider towing as a restricted category special purpose operation under 14 CFR 21.25(b)(7). A copy of the proposed policy memo is available from the FAA here.
Currently, glider towing is not a restricted category operation and as such, glider towing may only be accomplished with type certificated aircraft in the normal, utility and acrobatic categories. The policy is “intended to increase the number of tow aircraft available to glider clubs throughout the country, by making available to them aircraft that are currently certificated for other uses, such as agricultural spraying”.
Comments must be received no later than November 30, 2004 and may be submitted via U.S. Mail to: Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft Engineering Division, Certification Procedures Branch, AIR-110, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, ATTN. Mr. Graham Long; or hand delivered to: Federal Aviation Administration, Room 815, 800 Independence Ave, SW., Washington, DC 20591. Mr. Long may be contacted for further information via Telephone: (202) 267-3715, Fax: (202) 237-5340, or e-mail:9-AWA-AIR110-GNL2@FAA.GOV.
