How to Make a Yellow Towrope
FAR 91.309 Applicability: Acceptable for gliders between 750 lbs and 1875 Max Certified
Operating Weight (MCOW)
Materials needed:
• 206 foot long, 5/16 in Polypropylene hollow-braided rope, (rated 1500 lb) [Note that
there is a measured distance marked off on the Sterling taxiway for 206 feet.]
• 2 Tost ring pairs
• White tape, propane torch, putty knife, cutting surface (wood 2X4), ruler, felt marker
• Two 8-inch pieces: 5/8 in OD reinforced Tygon tube
• Thin sash cord (1/16 in, approximately 16 inches long)
• 3/8 inch rope fid (or appropriately sized plastic pen)
• 2” wide plastic shipping tape
Attach the sash cord to the
end of the rope with a clove
hitch.
Detailed instructions and
video for making a clove hitch
can be found at:
http://www.animatedknots.com
/clove/
Greater Boston Soaring Club
Pierre L’Heureux 3/23/2012
Pull the rope through the
Tygon
Mark the rope 4 feet and 8
feet from the end. Insert
rope through LARGE RING of
ring pair. Insert rope end into
fid. Shipping tape may be
required to keep the rope
from pulling out of the fid.
Slide Tygon tube just beyond
the first mark, so a 4-foot
length exists to the end. Bend
the Tygon and tape tightly.
Insert fid completely through
the rope as it exits the Tygon
tube, then insert it into the
hollow core of the rope about
¼ inch down.
Gently push the fid (and
attached rope) through the
interior of the rope to exit at
the 8 foot mark.
Holding the loop, pull the
rope taut to remove any slack
in the outer braid.
Greater Boston Soaring Club
Pierre L’Heureux 3/23/2012
Reinsert the fid and attached
rope back into the hollow
core
about
an
inch
downstream. Push the fid
through the core to exit 6 to 8
inches downstream.
Pull taut to minimize the small
loop. Cut the rope tail close to
where it exits from the
towrope. Be careful not to
nick the towrope. Pull the cut
end back into the hollow core
just enough to bury it by
pulling up on the small loop
(the “tell-tale”).
Repeat for the other end.
Tost ring pairs are used at
both ends.
Repair
Abrasion wear usually occurs at the ends, thus it is possible to cut off the last 3 or 4 feet and
redo the loop and rings. Minimum length is 180 feet. [Note that there is a measured distance
marked off on the Sterling taxiway for 180 feet.]
Greater Boston Soaring Club
Pierre L’Heureux 3/23/2012