Find Glider Aerotows on AvPay

The Glider Aerotows section on AvPay has been created to help gliding clubs promote their aerotow services to pilots looking for convenient and reliable launch opportunities. Whether you’re visiting a new part of the country, planning a soaring holiday, competing in an event or simply looking for a different airfield to fly from, this directory makes it easier to discover clubs offering aerotow launches.

Each listing allows gliding clubs to showcase their aerotow operation, helping pilots learn more about the club, its facilities and the services available before getting in touch. Clubs can use their listing to explain the types of aircraft used for towing, operating hours, visitor information, local soaring conditions and any other details that may be useful to prospective pilots.

If your gliding club offers aerotow launches, listing your services on AvPay provides an opportunity to reach a worldwide audience of aviation enthusiasts and glider pilots searching specifically for aerotow providers. Whether your club welcomes visiting pilots, provides launch services for competitions or supports cross country soaring, an AvPay listing helps increase your visibility within the global gliding community.

How Glider Aerotows Work

One of the most common ways to launch a glider is by using an aerotow. During an aerotow launch, a powered aircraft, commonly known as a tow plane or tug, tows the glider into the air using a specially designed tow rope. The glider remains connected to the tow aircraft until it reaches a suitable height, where the pilot releases the rope and continues the flight independently.

Before take-off, the tow rope is attached to the glider’s tow hook and a series of standard visual signals are exchanged between the glider pilot, wing runner and tow pilot to confirm that everyone is ready. As the tow aircraft accelerates, the glider follows behind, becoming airborne shortly after the tug. Throughout the climb, the glider pilot carefully maintains position behind the tow aircraft, using gentle control inputs to remain aligned while monitoring airspeed and rope tension.

Once the desired release height has been reached, or if suitable soaring conditions are encountered earlier, the glider pilot operates the release mechanism to disconnect from the tow rope. After confirming a safe separation, the tow aircraft descends to collect the next glider while the glider pilot searches for rising air, known as lift, to remain airborne without an engine.

Aerotows offer several advantages for glider pilots. The tow aircraft can position the glider close to areas where thermals, ridge lift or mountain wave are expected, giving pilots an excellent opportunity to begin a soaring flight. Aerotows also allow launches from airfields where winch launching may not be practical because of runway layout, surrounding terrain or operational requirements. The flexibility to choose different release heights and locations makes aerotowing a popular option for training, cross country flying and competition soaring.

Another widely used launch method is the winch launch. Instead of a tow aircraft, a powerful ground based winch rapidly reels in a steel cable or synthetic rope, accelerating the glider before it climbs steeply into the air. At the top of the climb the cable is released automatically by the glider pilot and returned to the winch for the next launch. Winch launches are typically quicker and less expensive than aerotows, although they generally reach lower launch heights and require suitable airfield layouts.

Many gliding clubs operate both aerotow and winch launching, allowing members and visiting pilots to choose the launch method best suited to the day’s weather, the type of flying planned and local operating procedures. Whether you are looking for glider aerotows for cross country soaring, trial flights, advanced training or club flying, AvPay helps connect pilots with gliding clubs offering aerotow services in locations around the world.