Representation and Engagement

As the UK governing body of gliding, the BGA has a significant responsibility in representing the interests of gliding clubs and their member glider pilots. Government agencies and departments that the BGA has regularly engaged with in the course of our work include DfT, DCMS and UK CAA.

The BGA’s priorities are identified in the Articles of Association and the current BGA Strategy as amended from time to time.

The BGA position taken on any given topic by the Executive Committee follows careful consideration and where required additional engagement with member clubs. BGA consultation with member club officials takes the form of pre-arranged and ad hoc direct contact , surveys, and written requests for views. Formal votes where required are taken at an AGM or EGM.

To achieve its aims, the BGA works within wider organisations, including;

The BGA is represented within numerous working forums/groups on a variety of important topics including flight safety, electronic conspicuity, airspace infringements, regulation, outdoor sport, airfield protection, etc.

We are always looking for members of BGA clubs who have an interest in helping the BGA with its representation work. If you are interested, please get in touch with a member of the BGA Executive Committee or the BGA CEO for a no obligation chat!

Regulatory organisations we engage with

UK Government

UK government strategy and regulation is constantly evolving. BGA is engaged with GAA colleagues in responding to the related strategic issues. Domestic issues such as planning and sport-related development are ongoing. Again, the BGA works closely with others including the Sport and Recreation Alliance (S&RA), which is a non-government organisation representing most of sport including gliding.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) provides sport funding policy direction including to publicly funded sporting organisations, such as UK Sport and Sport England, etc.

The Department for Transport (DfT) provides direction to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on matters of aviation strategy and policy.

DfT consultations can be searched here.

CAA

The CAA is responsible for regulating UK aviation and for developing the UK’s post-Brexit aviation legislation programme. Read more here.

The CAA General Aviation Unit (GAU) manages the regulatory oversight of GA. The GAU is not involved with airspace. The BGA engages with the GAU on a regular basis, including through formal meetings of the GA Partnership (GAP). You can read more about the GAP here.

The BGA supports the CAA’s stated commitment to proportionate regulation, no gold plating and delegation. Recognising the BGA’s long history of effective self-regulation, where gliding is increasingly regulated the BGA seeks maximum delegation and autonomy with minimum CAA involvement.

CAA general consultations can be viewed here.

The CAA’s Airspace, Air Traffic Management and Aerodromes (AAA) department develops, implements and regulates airspace policy. The BGA is an invited member of NATMAC, an industry group that ‘advises CAA on airspace policy matters’. You can read more about NATMAC here.

CAA airspace change proposals can be viewed here.

The CAA is responsible for implementing airspace modernisation. Read more about airspace modernisation and change here.

NATS

NATS is an international corporation that provides air navigation services and is part-owned by airlines. The UK government holds a golden share. NATS, through NERL, is responsible for the UK’s en-route airspace, which is essentially the upper airspace above 7000′, as well as acting as an ANSP for several UK airports.

NATS Consultations can be viewed here.

EU and EASA

Gliding is primarily impacted by UK regulations. However, as the UK has retained many EU regulations, EU or EASA consultations can be relevant and are responded to either by BGA or through EGU or EAS.

EU consultations can be viewed here.

EASA consultations can be viewed here.