Flight Instructor (Sailplanes)
Completion of the Flight Instructor (Sailplanes) (FI(S)) training course qualifies a student pilot for the FI(S) assessment of competence and subsequent issue of an FI(S) (restricted) certificate.
Helpful SFCL reference
SFCL.300
The student instructor
A student instructor must hold an SPL and on completion of training be at least 18 years of age.
The instructor
The instructor carrying out the training must be an FI(S) with 315 (a)(7) privileges.
The aircraft
The aircraft used must hold either a valid ARC or NARC and be assessed by the club as suitable for the training. Clubs or instructors can contact the BGA for advice.
The course programme
The BGA has developed an SFCL compliant course programme for use by BGA clubs only. These course programmes may only be used or reproduced or copied with the written permission of the BGA Ltd. If any issues or errors are discovered when using the course programmes, please do highlight via the BGA office.
The FI(S) training course programme is available here.
Navigation and out-landing training – FI(S) course exercises 16 and 17
A student FI(S) is required to be a competent and proficient soaring pilot. There may not be an opportunity during the course to conduct practical training around exercises 16 and 17. The subject matter may instead be delivered through theoretical knowledge training during the Part 2 course. The TK training typically starts with the reference material listed below and then developed through facilitated briefings and discussions covering the teaching of both exercises in an unpowered sailplane. Newly qualified FI(S)s are advised not to take this training further without additional practical experience in a motor glider, following the BGA principle of: “Do not train something you have not been trained to do.” Resources recommended to student instructors include:
Exercise 16:
- BGA Instructor Manual, Chapter 16.1 to 16.4
- BGA Student Pilot Manual, pages 118-121
- Licence and Beyond: Field Landings
Exercise 17:
- BGA Instructor Manual, Chapters 17A.1 to 17C.3
- BGA Student Pilot Manual, pages 112-117
- Licence and Beyond: Navigation
Training records
Both the student instructor and the instructor should sign for completed training as the training is progressed. These training records need to be stored in a manner that restricts access to those people who are authorised to access them. The BGA training organisation requires clubs to hold these records rather than student pilot holding the records and to sensibly restrict access to those involved in the instruction. If a student pilot wants a record of their training as they progress, they can of course take a picture or other copy of their training record. The training records can be electronic or paper.
If a club member moves to another BGA club to complete some SFCL training started at their own club, the relevant CFIs should arrange transfer of a copy of the training records between them. In that case, it is recommended that the club that started the SFCL training keeps the original copy of the record of training they completed.
Completion
An assessment of competence must be arranged with a Flight Examiner (Sailplanes) who holds FI(S) examining privileges (SFCL.415(c))
On successful completion of the assessment, a FI(S) application form must be submitted to the BGA for subsequent licensing action by the CAA (SFCL.015 refers).