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

The 90-day rolling recency requirement for carrying passengers described in SFCL.160(e) aims to protect the occupant of the second seat in a glider by ensuring that the PIC has in the previous 90 days completed three take-offs, approaches and landings as sole manipulator of the controls. The lowest risk and most straightforward way of achieving that is by flying solo.

Where dual flying that is not passenger carrying is taking place, for example an SPL holder pilot in command flying with another qualified pilot designated as crew in accordance with SAO.GEN.135 including AMC and GM, that flying by the PIC may (see detail) count towards meeting the 90-day recency for passenger carrying, provided the point above about sole manipulator of the controls is applied. In that case, it is important of course that SAO.GEN.135 including AMC and GM is read and understood by the pilot in command.

Where instruction by a BI(S) or FI(S) with a student pilot is taking place which is not passenger flying, the flying may (see detail) count towards meeting the 90-day recency for passenger carrying, provided the point above about sole manipulator of the controls is applied. If the student pilot is involved with the take-off, approach or landing, clearly the PIC is not sole manipulator of the controls during those phases of flight.

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 February 2026