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144 APPENDIX N Sample Towplane Operating PolicyâBoulder Municipal Airport, Colorado Source: T. Head, Boulder Municipal Airport, Colorado. Used with permission. Glider Towplane Operations Boulder Municipal Airport The following information is provided in order to facilitate safe and consistent operations at Boulder Municipal Airport. It is also intended as a means to mitigate noise complaints. 1. Transition to/from hangars Tow pilots are requested to cross the runways at taxi way A1, with A4 as an alternative. Crossing should only be attempted when it is certain that crossing all runway areas can be done without having to stop between runways. 2. Glider launching Tow pilots should endeavor to spend as little time as possible on the runway before takeoff. (This will require coordination with the glider pilot, and is based on the premise that glider pilots will not position a glider on the runway until a towplane is ready to taxi into position and launch the glider. The glider pilot should complete as much of the pre-launch procedures as is possible before positioning a glider on the runway.) During multiple operations, delay your launch until you are sure that a towplane/glider launching before you do is completely clear of the runway, and the glider will be able to perform a downwind landing in the event of a premature release. The normal tow pattern will consist of a 270 degree left turn beginning at an altitude of 5800 feet, and remaining south of J road, normally followed by another 270 degree left turn south of Valmont before entering a counter-clockwise circuit between Valmont, 30th street, Arapaho, and 75th street. The second 270 degree turn can be omitted if the tow pilot is certain that an altitude greater than 6500 feet can be reached before crossing the glider/towplane approach area south of the airport. In the event of a premature glider release, the tow pilot will follow the normal tow pattern returning from the south side of the airport for landing. Tow pilots should avoid entering the pattern from the north side of the airport. When towing a glider into the foothills north of Boulder a downwind departure from the airport is appropriate if the rate of climb is such that the towplane/glider can be at or above pattern altitude before crossing mid-field. The preferred method is to fly the normal tow pattern and cross the run- way from south to north at mid-field while avoiding noise sensitive areas. Departures south of the field should be made over the golf course at a minimum altitude of 6500 feet. South departures should continue well south of Boulder (the swimming pool) before turning west. Crossing the foothills should be done above 9000 feet. Departures to the northwest should be made well north of highway 36. This is the most popular (most used) departure, and as such special care must be taken to vary the path when approaching the foothills. Crossing the foothills should be done above 8000 feet. 3. Returning to the airport after glider release After a glider release west or south of the airport the tow pilot should plan the return so as to arrive south of the airport below 6300 feet without the necessity of spiraling or slipping to achieve the proper altitude. When a glider releases in the practice area south of the airport at an altitude that requires a spiral/slip to lose altitude the preferred areas for descent are southwest and east/southeast of the airport. Descending in the area between Valmont, 30th, Arapahoe and 75th should be avoided. 4. Pattern Entry Tow pilots should enter the pattern from the south side of the field, entering the crosswind portion of the pattern at 5900 feet. When using runway 8, cross the runway between mid field and the west end of the runway. When using runway 26 cross the runway between midfield and the east end of the runway. In either case leave as much room as possible for gliders entering crosswind at mid-field. 5. Landing Pattern As shown in the Boulder Municipal Airport Noise Abatement Procedures and Traffic Patterns Map, tow pilots are expected to fly a pattern that is inside both the regular power aircraft pattern and the glider pattern. (Catching the end of the tow rope in the fence [or what remains of it] is considered
145 bad form.) While the base leg is somewhat abbreviated, the tow pilot must take a moment to verify that the tow plane is not cutting in front of a power aircraft on final. Remember, Boulder Municipal Airport is not authorized for multiple landings, and an aircraft on final has the right of way. Tow pilots should plan their approach so as to turn final behind and power aircraft on final to the runway. 6. Landing on the Glider runway, the area between runways or the main runway. Landings are normally made on the glider runway. If it is occupied then the area between the run- ways is the usual option. If both the glider runway and the area between the runways are occupied then the landing can be done on the main runway. When landing on the glider runway turn off the runway to the north as soon as it is practical. Turn- ing off of the runway in an area where it is possible to pull completely clear of the runway in case a glider is landing behind the tow plane. When landing in the area between the runways plan on landing long (do not stop before the Mile High trailer). Turn the tow plane to the North, and stop to insure that crossing the glider runway will not interfere with aircraft landing or taking off. When landing on the main runway taxi to the A4 exit before crossing back to the glider side of the airport. Turn the tow plane to the north, and stop to insure that crossing the glider runway will not interfere with aircraft landing or taking off. The decision to use the main runway should be made in the pattern, before turning from base to final. 7. Aborted Landing Procedure If after turning final the tow pilot determines that a landing is not possible/safe/practical, the tow pilot should proceed down the runway at 5600 feet MSL (plus or minus an inch or two) until passing well past mid field after which the tow pilot should climb to 5800 feet and fly the usual 270 degree turn to the left, followed by the standard tow plane entry into the pattern from the south side of the field. 8. Radio Usage Tow pilots should monitor the Boulder CTAF frequency at all time while flying within 3 miles of Boulder Municipal airport. Radio calls to aircraft in general should answer four questions. 1)Who am I talking to? [Boulder Traffic] 2)Who am I? [Tow plane 85Fox] 3)Why did I key the mic? [Tak- ing off glider 8, glider in tow] 4)Where am I? [Boulder] Radio calls immediately before take-off and when entering cross-wind are highly recommended if no one else is on the frequency. In the event of a premature glider release (below 6000 feet) announcing what happened and where you and the glider are at serves to notify everyone in the area that something out of the ordinary has occurred. If you are not going to be available to take another tow upon landing including this information with your cross-wind announcement is recommended.
