Becoming a Glider Pilot

Requirements and qualifications
First step - trial flight
Training to solo
Beyond solo - qualified glider pilot
Beyond your sailplane pilots license

Gliding involves flying unpowered aircraft and harnessing the power of nature to stay airborne. For many, gliding is their first introduction to aviation and represents the most cost effective way to accumulate air experience. Many experienced pilots however find themselves staying involved with the sport in order to enjoy the purest flying experience.Whether your plan is to progress on to a professional flying career in the future or you simply wish to embark upon a challenging and rewarding hobby, gliding is a fantastic place to start and is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.The British Gliding Association (BGA) is the governing body for gliding in the UK and once a glider pilot has achieved the required standard, they are awarded the BGA Bronze Endorsement.

Requirements and Qualifications

No formal qualifications are required to embark upon your BGA Bronze Endorsement, however a good comprehension of Maths and Physics would be advantageous.You are permitted to start training at any age, however you must be 14 to fly solo and obtain your Bronze Endorsement. There is no age limit to obtain the licence, so long as you are able to meet the medical requirements. Gliding medical standards are based on those used by the DVLA for driving - so in the majority of cases if you are able to drive a car, you are fit to fly solo.

First Step - Trial Flight

Discovering whether gliding is something you will enjoy going forwards is important to determine from the outset and a trial flight is the ideal place to start.A typical trial flight will allow you to experience the sensation of an aerotow launch – where the glider is towed into the air by a powered aircraft. You will fly with a qualified gliding instructor who will introduce you to the local airspace as well as the primary effects of the controls. This flight will allow you to experience all aspects of a glider flight, from launch through to circuit, approach and landing.

As well as a post flight debrief with your instructor, you will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Club specific guidance will also be provided should you wish to continue gliding.

Training to Solo

Glider pilots learn to fly at their club in dual control gliders with qualified instructors following the BGA Gliding Syllabus. The syllabus is comprehensive and will direct your progression from first flight to becoming a fully qualified glider pilot.The training typically incorporates a mix of aerotow and winch launches and can be intensive or spread over many weeks and months to suit individual needs. The first phase of the training will prepare you for your first solo flight and gaining the BGA Gliding Certificate.You will also be required to demonstrate an appropriate theoretical knowledge and thorough understanding of rules of the air, local airspace and weather interpretation prior to being permitted to fly solo.

After successfully completing your first solo, further consolidation must continue towards your Bronze and Cross-Country Endorsements in order to become a Qualified Glider Pilot and apply for your Sailplane Pilots Licence (SPL). A SPL is internationally recognised and can be a great first step towards a powered aircraft licence.

Bronze Endorsement

As well as completing all relevant parts of the flying training syllabus you must complete 50 solo flights in a glider or 20 solo flights and 10 hours flight time (a mix of dual and solo flying) in a glider.

Subject to specific agreement on an individual basis by the BGA, the 10 hours may be reduced by 50% for applicants with prior relevant experience.

Completion of the flight training syllabus is followed by a General Skills Test (GST) in a dual controlled glider with a BGA Full Rated Instructor, who must be satisfied that the candidate has the ability to operate the glider within its limitations, complete all manoeuvres with smoothness and accuracy, exercise good judgement and airmanship, maintain effective lookout, and maintain control of the glider at all times in a manner such that the successful outcome of a procedure or a manoeuvre is never seriously in doubt. During the GST, which normally takes place during three short flights, the candidate must demonstrate an appropriate level of practical skill and knowledge associated with the following:

Pre-flight operations including glider assembly and inspection
Techniques and procedures for the launching method(s) used, including appropriate airspeed limitations, emergency procedures and signals used
Circuit flying, collision avoidance precautions and procedures
Normal and crosswind approach and landing
Control of the glider by external visual reference
Understanding and recognition of the symptoms of the stall, stall with wing drop and full spin, followed by the correct recovery (note – a prior recent record of satisfactory full spin assessment may be utilised for that exercise if a glider cleared for spinning is not available for the Bronze GST)
Satisfactory recovery from launch failures or simulated launch failures
Demonstrate that they can obtain and interpret airspace, NOTAM and weather information appropriate for soaring

Completion of the theoretical knowledge tests is also a requirement of the Bronze Endorsement. There are 10 individual examinations covering nine subject areas and each individual examination has 12 questions. All 10 examinations are usually taken in a single sitting, (no time limit is specified) and the pass mark for each is 75%.Exam results are retained within the student pilot record of training and the candidate is expected to complete all sections of the theoretical knowledge test within an 18-month period, and to apply for the Bronze Endorsement within 24 months of completing the theoretical knowledge test.

Cross-Country Endorsement

The BGA Cross-Country Endorsement permits pilots to fly beyond gliding distance from the home gliding site. A BGA Cross-country can only be issued if a pilot possesses the BGA Bronze Endorsement and has the approval of their Chief Flying Instructor (CFI). Motorglider training flights are incorporated into the syllabus in order to support and showcase the skills required to achieve a Cross-Country Endorsement.

Cost

Gliding represents an incredibly cost effective way to accumulate flight time. Gliding instruction is provided free of charge at most clubs by highly qualified BGA instructors who are subject to regular competency checks.The average club membership is around £350 per year and once you are a club member you can expect to pay approximately £30 per hour to hire a glider, around £10 for a winch launch or around £35 for an aerotow launch.There are a number of grants and bursaries available for young pilots who are committed to gliding, especially those looking to progress on to becoming instructors. To find out more information visit the FlyingSTART Scholarships page.

Beyond your Sailplane Pilots License

Attaining your Sailplane Pilots Licence opens up a number of exciting opportunities within gliding and continuing to learn and building your experience is essential. You may wish to incorporate new skills as part of this process, which can be added to your licence in the form of endorsements. The most common of these endorsements are listed below:Cloud Flying Endorsement: The BGA Cloud Flying Endorsement exists to enable a pilot to demonstrate competence in cloud flying. A BGA Cloud Flying Endorsement can only be issued if a pilot possesses both Bronze and Cross-Country endorsements, has at least 30 hours experience as Person in Command (PIC) following the grant of the Bronze and Cross-Country endorsements, and has the approval of their CFI.

Aerobatics Endorsement: The BGA Aerobatics Endorsement exists to enable a pilot to demonstrate competence in flying basic aerobatics. The BGA Aerobatics Endorsement can only be issued if the applicant has already qualified for a Bronze Endorsement and has the approval of the CFI.Introductory Flight Pilot Endorsement: The UK Air Navigation Order (ANO) and Basic Regulation provide the opportunity for BGA member clubs to use pilots who are not instructors to carry out introductory flying where the passenger pays for the flight. In support of the need to mitigate the associated risks to third parties and to others involved in the activity, the BGA requires those pilots carrying out introductory flying to hold a BGA Introductory Flight Pilot (IFP) Endorsement. The pilot must be 16 years of age and the IFP Endorsement can only be issued if a pilot possesses both Bronze and Cross-Country endorsements, has at least 30 hours experience as Person in Command (PIC) following the grant of the Bronze and Cross-Country endorsements, and has the approval of their CFI.