Important News: Customized tows at HSC.

[Quest_R@HSC]

Hi everybody,

Here at HSC we will make every effort to accommodate glider pilot requests during the tow to altitude for your flight. This tow that is purchased from HSC is done so at a continuous climb rate, and usually at a full power setting by the tow pilot unless that results in an airspeed which is beyond the tow speed for that particular glider. Also, during longer tows on bonafide cross-country tows, the climb gradient may be altered by previous arrangement with the tow pilot, but it will still be done at a full power setting and at no less than 300 fpm climb rate. Just to be clear to HSC glider customers, any other alter alterations to these standard towing guidelines results in what is known as a "Customized Tow". These are tows where the pilot of the glider requests the tow pilot to throttle back; loiter; stop climbing; search for lift, etc., or anything else not constituting a "normal" tow.

The charge for this type of "Customized Tow" will be at the standard hourly rate for aero-tow retrieves and other tow plane flight time at HSC, and that is currently $165 per tach hour. 

Please note that, whether or not you as a pilot ask for a "Customized Tow", if special instructions or longer-than-average tow times are noted by the tow pilot, you will be invoiced for a "Customized Tow", and it will be figured on an estimated tach time as reported by the tow pilot.

Thanks for your continued business at HSC, and we are always looking to satisfy the varied needs of glider pilots who fly out of Hollister (but also not lose money in the process either!).

Happy customized towing at the going rate!

Quest