Competitions and Awards
Competition flying is an important part of gliding. Although competitions usually involve racing sailplanes around pre-planned cross-country tasks, pilots also take part in aerobatic competitions where they are scored for accuracy of flying. Competitions can be great social occasions too, and following the cross country racing action from the ground is getting easier thanks to online tracking.
Organised on-site competitions range from a one day single race event through to nine-day or two-week championships involving multiple races and classes of gliders. Some pilots compete in online competitions, for example the BGA Ladder or the OLC, where pilots upload logger traces of their cross-country flights to compare performances. Each glider type has a performance handicap. Details are in the Competition Rules.
Competition Calendar
Competition website links will be added when supplied by the host club.
| Start Date | End Date | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25/5/24 | 2/6/24 | 18M Std Class Nationals 2024 | Lasham Gliding Society |
| 25/5/24 | 2/6/24 | 20M Multi-Seat Class Nationals 2024 | Lasham Gliding Society |
| 15/6/24 | 23/6/24 | Standard Class Nationals 2024 | Cotswold Gliding Club - Aston Down |
| 15/6/24 | 23/6/24 | 15M Class Nationals 2024 | Cotswold Gliding Club - Aston Down |
| 15/6/24 | 23/6/24 | Open Class Nationals 2024 | Cotswold Gliding Club - Aston Down |
| 22/6/24 | 30/6/24 | Bidford Regionals 2024 | Bidford Gliding Club |
| 6/7/24 | 14/7/24 | Shenington Regionals 2024 | Edgehill Gliding Centre - Shenington Airfield |
| 13/7/24 | 27/7/24 | 13th FAI Standard & Club Class Junior World Championships 2024 | Ostrow Wielkopolski, Poland |
| 20/7/24 | 28/7/24 | Dunstable Regionals | London Gliding Club |
| 27/7/24 | 4/8/24 | The HusBos Challenge Cup | The Gliding Centre - Husbands Bosworth |
| 28/7/24 | 17/8/24 | Club, Standard & 15m - European Gliding Championships 2024 | Tabor - Czech Republic |
| 3/8/24 | 11/8/24 | Club Class Nationals 2024 | Bristol & Glos - Nympsfield |
| 14/8/24 | 1/9/24 | 38th FAI, Open, 18m & 20m Multi-seat Class World Gliding Championships 2024 | Uvalde, Texas |
| 17/8/24 | 25/8/24 | Junior Nationals 2024 | The Gliding Centre - Husbands Bosworth Airfield |
| 18/8/24 | 25/8/24 | Two Seater Competition * | Wolds Gliding Club |
* Non rated competition
** Glider Aerobatic
Gliding Records
Pilots can view existing British gliding records here.
If you intend to or have broken a record, you can apply to have your record recognised using an FAI IGC form available from this link.
FAI IGC Documents
FAI IGC documents (eg Sporting Code)
Official Observers
Pilots may apply to be an FAI Official Observer. Details are available here.
The BGA Official Observer application form is here.
An FAI video detailing guidance for Official Observers is available here.
Competition rules and guidance
BGA Competition organiser’s briefing notes
BGA Competition organisers guide – important information when planning a competition
Simplified competition rules
A simplified competition rules format has been developed as an alternative to the ‘rules for rated competitions’. The standard rules are necessarily rigorous to cater for National Championships where similarity to International rules is required. However, at UK regional competition level, such rigour is not necessary and the complexity of the standard rules can be a barrier to pilots and potential organisers. It is hoped that clubs will trial this format in 2022 to encourage new cross-country pilots to gain the skills and experience that will enable them to safely take part in higher-level competitions in their gliding journey.
Simplified competition rules organiser’s information
Inter-Club League
Inter-club league information is available here.
Other Information
Competition licence (online application)
Competitions and Awards Committee
The BGA Competitions and Awards Committee is always keen to recruit new committee members. If you are interested in learning more about the Competition and Awards Committee, or more generally about competitions and awards please contact the BGA office or email compscommittee@gliding.co.uk
The committee terms of reference are available here.
Previous meeting notes are available here (click on chronologically to date order)