Declared Training Organisation (DTO)

Introduction

Gliding training in the UK continues under BGA requirements until 30th September 2025 at which point the Sailplane Flight Crew Licensing (SFCL) rules and associated Declared Training Organisation (DTO) rules will apply. The regulatory references are:

Sailplane Flight Crew Licensing (SFCL). Applicable to pilots of Part 21 sailplanes including powered sailplanes including TMGs who choose to utilise SPL privileges.

Declared Training Organisation (DTO). Applicable to SFCL training.

Sailplane Pilot Pathway

BGA DTO

Training for the following Sailplane Flight Crew Licensing (SFCL) privileges and ratings must take place within a Declared Training Organisation (DTO).

The BGA supports SPL holders including who need to add privileges to their licence by retaining a DTO. Any BGA club that chooses to deliver SFCL training using BGA course programmes is to apply to operate within the BGA DTO (GBR.DTO.0007). Instructors who are carrying out SFCL compliant training MUST be familiar with SFCL and in particular SFCL.315 FI(S) Certificate – privileges and conditions.

Click on the links below to access the relevant information including the training programme where applicable:

Sailplane Pilot Licence – SPL:

Flight Instructor – FI(S):

Flight Examiner – FE(S):

BGA DTO documents and forms

Please note that all SPL applications including additional privilege applications are made via the BGA using the relevant BGA form below.

BGA DTO club application form

Student pilot solo flight authorisation form

SPL TMG extension test report form  – for use by the examiner during a TMG skills test

FI(S) test report form – for use during the FI(S) additional privilege Assessment or Demonstration of Competence.

SFCL.360 9-year demonstration of ability to instruct report form – for use by the FIC. Read more here.

Conduct of SFCL.360 9-year demonstration of ability guidance

Adding a privilege to an SPL or to an FI(S) certificate – application form

SPL recency guidance

The SPL recency requirements are at SFCL.160

The launch method recency requirements are at SFCL.155

The FI(S) recency requirements are at SFCL.360

SPL and FI(S) recency guidance is detailed here.

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