Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

What is the minimum requirement for a private pilot to act as pilot in command of an airplane towing a glider?

1. Ten actual or simulated glider tows.

2. At least six flights as pilot in command of a glider towed by an aircraft.

3. Three flights as pilot in command of a glider towed by an aircraft.

4. One successful glider tow under supervision.

The correct answer is: Three flights as pilot in command of a glider towed by an aircraft.

The minimum requirement for a private pilot to act as pilot in command of an airplane towing a glider is three flights as pilot in command of a glider towed by an aircraft. This requirement ensures that the pilot has adequate experience and familiarity with the specific dynamics involved in towing gliders, which can differ significantly from standard flight operations. The regulation is designed to promote safety and ensure that pilots are prepared for the unique responsibilities and challenges they will face while towing a glider. This includes understanding the effects of the tow line, managing the glider's behavior in response to pilot inputs, and maintaining appropriate airspeed and altitude during the tow. While some options suggest varying numbers of required flights or supervisory conditions, the three flights as pilot in command strikes a balance between experience and safety, ensuring that the pilot has had enough practical training to respond effectively during glider-towing operations.