The CAA has published its phase 2 consultation and response survey into proposed changes to the Sailplane Flight Crew Licensing rules. The BGA encourages all glider pilots to respond and has supplied response guidance. The BGA guidance including links to the consultation and survey can be viewed here. The consultations…

Following the BGA AGM on 21 February 2024, BGA Operational Regulation 38 has been updated to read: “Inspection Before Flight. All gliders operated from a BGA club site shall be inspected before flying on each day by a pilot who has been approved to carry out a daily inspection, who…

Cross-channel gliding flights are incredibly rare. The Home Office has asked us to report that the UK government is introducing regulations that will require information about international GA flights and persons on board to be submitted online in advance of departure for aircraft expecting to arrive or depart the UK….

The CAA is consulting on final proposed changes to the Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD) system. The Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD) scheme was introduced in August 2016 to offer recreational pilots the option to self-declare to the UK Civil Aviation Authority that they are fit to fly according to DVLA Group1…

Gliding takes place under a mix of national, retained-EU, and self regulation. All glider pilots need a good awareness of the requirements, or at least where to find them. The ‘Laws and Rules’ BGA webpage provides gliding clubs and their members with clear details and links to BGA Operational Regulations,…

The Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL) is an ICAO compliant licence (ICAO compliance depends on the type of medical held by the pilot) that can be obtained from the BGA by converting from BGA qualifications. Pilots of Part-21 sailplanes are currently exempt from the requirement to hold an SPL to fly…

As previously reported, the CAA is carrying out a GA pilot licence simplification project, which includes activity related to the UK-SFCL SPL. The project will take some time to complete, including any associated regulatory changes. The UK Government has published Statutory Instrument 2023 No. 588 re The Aviation Safety (Amendment)…

Pilots are reminded of the need to ensure that they are medically fit to fly. Where flying using SFCL or FCL or UK/NPPL pilot licence privileges, pilots are reminded that they must comply with regulated medical requirements, eg the CAA PMD or medical certificate requirements. BGA medical information is available…

Many GA airfields enjoy a positive professional relationship with local enforcement agencies and Border Force regional teams. As an entry point into the UK, airfields can provide a valuable resource to local law enforcement agencies on spotting and reporting the early signs of any suspicious activity. Airfields should familiarise themselves…

Holders of SPL TMG privileges are reminded of the TMG 24 month rolling recency requirements at SFCL.160, which include a training flight of at least one hour total flight time with an FI(S) TMG. UK SFCL.160 can be viewed here.