Be a Towpilot! You could tow gliders after earning a towpilot endorsement per FAR 61.69. Many towplanes are NOT taildraggers (Pawnee / Super Cub), which require a minimum number of tailwheel hours experience for insurance coverage. I use a tricycle gear Cessna 150 with 180 HP Lycoming (and a climb prop) and a 1958 Cessna 182A for towing at "Marfa Gliders" soaring center in far west Texas, near the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park.
Most glider clubs and soaring schools (about 150 around the USA) need more towpilots. There is a book specifically written about flying the towplane called the "TOWPILOT MANUAL". $12 from
www.bobwander.com
To find all of the soaring sites (clubs and schools in the USA, go to
www.ssa.org Click on the "Where To Fly" map, then on your state. If I got a call from someone offering to tow at my site, I would always welcome the offer. (Special thanks to Dave Taylor who helped me get started at Marfa!)
For a commercial soaring operation (rides and instruction) the insurance company usually requires a Commercial Pilot in the towplane, although the FAA allows Private Pilots to fly the towplane, if not compensated. The FAA has excluded "building flight time" from this compensation for towing gliders.
Some insurance companies may offer lower premiums to a pilot who upgrades to Commercial. Check with your broker to see if your non-owner / renter premiums will be lower with an upgrade to your pilot certificate. Also keep them informed of your total logged hours / PIC hours as there may be a point, such as 200 hours, for a lower premium. Again, check with your broker, and shop around each year before renewing your non-owner / renter pilot policy. Pilots should have this coverage if you fly other people's aircraft, and have any assets you want to protect in case of an incident leading to a lawsuit. But that's another story.
Burt
Marfa, Texas
"We're not flying the mail here" --- a quote from my father, Fritz Compton, when he was trying to get me to slow down and not rush on a preflight --- about 40 years ago. Tony keeps this quote alive --- thanks.