Cessna 150
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 28; Flight Crew Total 1950; Flight Crew Type 150
Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Airport
I was on short final for a grass runway; when crossing a road the yellow tow rope alarmed a car driving on the road. The auto driver said that the rope came too close to the car and they needed to apply the brakes. The driver called the Airport Manager who contacted me. The Manager came out and observed the glider tow operation and witnessed a landing and indicated that that landing was fine and I had adequate clearance with the tow rope. I had been taught to keep 150 feet over the airport fence to allow the tow rope to 'clear' any obstacles. There were active thermals and the weather conditions were clear with light and variable winds. The Airport Manager was aware of automobile traffic issues as the runway is a short distance from the road.  Plans are in place to extend the runway and to change the landing zone 700 feet east to avoid low aircraft crossing the road. In the future I will raise my approach to 200 feet over the 'fence' and allow more room for traffic and the tow rope.  (The tow rope has a yellow wiffle ball (softball size) at the 'ring' end to protect the ring from wear and is very visible.)
The pilot of a glider tow aircraft was informed that while he was landing an automobile was forced to apply the brakes while traveling along the road adjacent to the grass landing strip. His standard approach was observed by the Airport Manager and it was determined to be safe.