Story ID: 
FAA Circular Revisits Aircraft Towing Safety
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Spurred by several recent near-mishaps, this is the first revision to the document in nearly 15 years.
Word Count: 222
Citing several recent reported cases of near incursions and mishaps involving tug operations during aircraft movement, the FAA has issued an advisory circular on towbar and towbarless movement of aircraft for the first time since 2009. The document reviews the best practices for the safe operation of this equipment.
According to the agency, “air traffic control (ATC) specialists have reported that it is very difficult to identify a super tug towing an unpowered aircraft at night because the aircraft being towed is not properly illuminated with any lights.” As a result, it noted no person should park or move an aircraft in, or in dangerous proximity to, a night flight operations area of an airport unless the aircraft or the area is clearly illuminated.
The circular states that those that are certified to perform towing operations at an airport should submit documentation outlining their towing operations to the responsible FAA Flight Standards District Office or Certificate Management Office and to respective airport management for acceptance/approval. That document should describe at a minimum the organization’s safety instructions, operating procedures (including the differences between day and night operations), initial and recurrent training, radio communication, and towing procedures checklist.
In addition, the circular provides several sample checklists that certificate holders can adapt to their operations.