Rolling recency

The Sailplane Pilot Licence and associated instructor certificates are lifetime qualifications that are valid subject to rolling recency requirements. Please refer to SFCL for full details, including how to re-establish rolling recency where required. The following summary is provided as a quick reference and includes links to the SFCL requirements.

Recency requirements are minimum legal requirements. The BGA also recommends all pilots and instructors refer to currency guidance, which should always be considered. As routinely noted by the BGA, clubs can of course require additional requirements as appropriate to their operation.

SPL

SPL rolling recency (SFCL.160 refers) – don’t forget that your PMD or medical certificate needs to be valid too

In the 24 months* prior to flying:

have completed two flights with an instructor

and

satisfy the SFCL.160 hours and launches requirement (5 hours +15 launches)

Also satisfy the SFCL.155 launch type recency (5 launches)

Also, if carrying a passenger, the ’90-day rule’ at SFCL.160 (e) refers. See below for guidance.

*The 24-month period should be counted from the last day of the month in which the respective training flight took place.

BI(S)

BI(S) rolling recency (SFCL.365 refers) – don’t forget that your SPL rolling recency and medical need to be valid too

In the 24 months prior to instructing:

satisfy the SFCL.365 hours and launches requirement (20 hours or 40 launches PIC)

and

have demonstrated the ability to instruct on sailplanes to the holder of an FI(S) certificate who is qualified in accordance with point SFCL.315(a)(7) (a Flight Instructor Coach) or SFCL.315(a)(8) (a Basic Instructor Coach)

FI(S)

FI(S) rolling recency (SFCL.360 refers) – don’t forget that your SPL rolling recency and medical need to be valid too

In the 36 months prior to instructing:

satisfy the SFCL.360 hours and launches requirement (30 hours or 60 launches instructing)

and

have completed an FI(S) refresher seminar

and in the past 9 years have demonstrated the ability to instruct on sailplanes to the holder of an FI(S) certificate who is qualified in accordance with point SFCL.315(a)(7) (a Flight Instructor Coach)

90-day recency for passenger carrying

SFCL.160 (e) identifies that (in addition to the above SPL recency requirements being satisfied) SPL holders shall carry passengers only if in the preceding 90 days they have carried out as PIC, at least:

• three launches in sailplanes, excluding TMGs, if passengers are to be carried in sailplanes, excluding TMGs; or
• three take-offs and landings in TMGs, if passengers are to be carried in a TMG. For carrying passengers at night in a TMG, at least one of those take-offs and landings shall be carried out at night.

Where dual flying that is not passenger carrying is taking place, for example an SPL holder pilot in command flying with a capable pilot designated as crew in accordance with SAO.GEN.135 including AMC and GM, that flying may count towards meeting the 90-day recency for passenger carrying. In that case, it is important that SAO.GEN.135 including AMC and GM is read and understood by the pilot in command.

Additional comment re TMG flying

The SFCL rolling recency, including re 90-day for carrying passengers, applies to those flying a TMG using an SPL TMG rating. Pilots who fly TMGs using an FCL (aeroplane) licence with a TMG rating are advised to read the FCL requirements, also noting that the ‘Air Operations’ rules rather than the ‘Sailplane Air Operations’ rules apply in that case.

BGA October 2025