BFSS: Tow Pilot

KELLY AIR PARK INFORMATION AND OPERATING PROCEDURES

May 13, 2006

A. GENERAL

Aircraft operations on private lots are prohibited without the lot owner's approval.
No aircraft or ground vehicle will block a taxiway, runway, or intersection from normal traffic flow.
When glider operations are being conducted, all aircraft are encouraged to use the direction of tow for departures and arrivals. The direction of tow does not, however, restrict the direction of powered aircraft departures or landing. Because of restricted visibility from the ends of the runway, use caution and announce intentions on CTAF 123.05 MHz.
Radio equipped aircraft shall make an advisory call to Kelly Air Park traffic on CTAF 123.05 MHz when approaching the airport. In addition, please call pattern entry, base, and final, if able.
Powered aircraft pattern entry altitude is 7800 feet MSL (800AGL).
Powered aircraft traffic patterns are east of runway 17/35 or south of 8/26 as depicted by the segmented circle collocated with the mid field wind sock. Glider traffic patterns are west of runway 17/35 and north of 8/26. When glider operations are being conducted, all aircraft must be extra vigilant for converging traffic patterns on base to final.
All aircraft shall delay turns out of the traffic pattern until past the field boundary.
Aircraft will normally use the runways for takeoff and landing. Takeoffs from the subdivision roads are prohibited. Landing on the roads is only allowed in an emergency. Pilots may use any portion of the common area in the interest of safety.
No aircraft shall park an aircraft in the grass areas between the runway and taxiway, as this is an alternate landing area.
Persons under the influence of or using alcohol are not permitted on the common area.
Jets, ultralights and aircraft with a maximum gross takeoff weight greater that 12,500 pounds are specifically prohibited from any portion of the Airpark.

B. VEHICLE OPERATIONS

Except for soaring operations, emergency response or vehicles towing aircraft, the operation of private vehicles in the common area is prohibited without prior approval of the Kelly Airpark Board of Directors (BOD) or the common area chairman.
No ground vehicle shall be left unattended in an area, which may block aircraft operations.
Lot owners will prohibit unauthorized common area access by road or taxiway by gate, fence, chain or signage.

C. SOARING OPERATIONS

Ground launching of gliders is permitted provided no hazard exists to persons or property, and there is prior coordination with BOD. Intentions shall be announced on CTAF 123.05 MHz. Ground launch activities shall cease and the runway will be cleared to allow other aircraft to land or takeoff.
Gliders will not occupy the runway until their towplane has landed or has departed the tie-down area towards the tow position. Gliders will not stage ahead of aircraft landing or ready for takeoff.
Prior to staging, gliders should be prepared as much as possible to minimize time spent on the active runway. Safety should always be paramount.
The tow pilot shall use the powered aircraft operating procedures outlined in the General section above including traffic advisories and patterns operations. The standard downwind leg should be between the runway and creek to the east (rocks). From this position the glider has a good chance of making it safely to the airfield in case of an emergency (rope break, etc.).
In the interest of safety, during operations in a strong (greater than 15 knots) west wind, the tow pilot may elect to use the glider traffic pattern west of the airpark to provide the glider with a safer position in case of an emergency (rope break, etc.). In that case, the complete pattern will be to the west of the airfield.
Glider traffic patterns are west of runway 17/35 and north of 8/26. Powered aircraft traffic patterns are east of runway 17/35 or south of 8/26. When glider operations are being conducted, all aircraft must be extra vigilant for converging traffic patterns on base to final.
Glider traffic pattern entry altitude is 8000 feet MSL (1000 feet AGL). Gliders shall normally remain west of runway 17/35 when below 8500 feet MSL (1500 feet AGL).
The tow pilot will normally depart the traffic pattern to the west if the glider is still on tow above pattern altitude. The release point for the glider will be west of the airpark if the wind and weather allow.
The tow pilot will follow recommended AIM procedures when returning from a tow and reentering the traffic pattern.
For Runway 35, base leg should be between CR98 and the farm to the south of the airpark. On final approach, cross CR98 at a minimum altitude of 300ft. AGL to avoid cars, people and the fence next to the road. Always remember you have a tow rope attached!!!
The tow pilot may drop the rope in the grass short of the runway if there are ground handlers present to remove the rope.
No tow aircraft or ground tow vehicle will block a taxiway, runway, or intersection form normal traffic flow. Soaring support vehicle operations will be kept to the absolute minimum. These vehicles will make no trips not in direct support of a glider flight. The preferred method of glider movement is by hand. All support vehicles will stay off grass and seeded areas as much as practicable, and give way to aircraft, either in the air or on the ground. Do not drive on wet grass.
Motor gliders will use the powered aircraft traffic pattern if engine is running and glider pattern if engine is not running.
Runway 8/26 will not be used for glider towing operations.

All aeronautical activities at the airport shall conform to the current provisions of the Federal Aviation Regulations, the Aeronautical Information Manual, applicable state laws, these operating procedures and orders issued by the authority of the BOD. In order to achieve the safest possible operations, each lot owner shall brief their invitees and the soaring operation shall brief their membership on these procedures.

These rules were reviewed on May 13, 2006 and approved by the KAP BOD. They are also available on the Kelly Airpark website