Laws & Rules

The BGA is the national governing body of sport gliding. Gliding takes place under a mix of national, European and self regulation.  The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is the EU aviation regulator. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UK aviation safety regulator, in which role it standardises the implementation of EASA rules in the UK. The BGA works with the CAA to achieve mutually agreed objectives.

‘Laws and Rules’ details BGA requirements and guidance, which complies with applicable EASA regulations, and signposts to detailed EASA & CAA regulations for those who need more information.

BGA Requirements and Guidance

BGA requirements and guidance have been developed in consultation with member clubs over many decades  with the aim of  meeting the practical needs of gliding clubs and their members. Objectives include clarity, effective risk management, and supporting compliance with applicable EASA and CAA regulation including ‘Rules of the Air’. Please note that the ANO remains an important document, and particularly so while gliding operations remain under national requirements.

The detail within BGA requirements and guidance is regularly reviewed and updates are promulgated through BGA news. All members of BGA clubs are subject to BGA requirements and guidance.

CAA Regulations applicable to gliding

Pilots and aircraft not subject to EASA rules (eg temporarily exempt or permanently exempt as non-EASA aircraft) must comply with the relevant national rules detailed in the Air Navigation Order.

The ANO is available here

 

EASA Regulations applicable to gliding

EASA regulations are themed, eg airworthiness, maintenance, aircrew, operations, etc. The regulations are detailed in ‘Implementing Rules’ (IR’s) which are supported by ‘Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM).

BGA requirements (see above) aim to be compliant with EASA regulations that are applicable to gliding.

 

Airworthiness and Maintenance

The EASA regulations for airworthiness and maintenance apply now to EASA aircraft. The BGA ‘Airworthiness’ requirements above are aligned and compliant with with EASA regulation.

Airworthiness rules information is available here

 

Operations

EASA aircraft including sailplanes are required to operate under EASA operations rules.

Operations rules information is available here

 

Pilot Licencing

There is no requirement for glider pilots to comply with EASA regulations for pilot licencing until 8 April 2020. The relevant BGA requirements and guidance continue to apply.

Pilot licencing rules information is available here

 

Pilot Medical

There is no requirement for glider pilots to comply with EASA regulations for pilot medicals until 8 April 2020. The relevant BGA requirements and guidance continue to apply.

Pilot medical rules information is available here

 

Pilot Training

Under continued exemption from EASA licensing requirements, there is no requirement for glider pilots (or NPPL pilots) to be trained at a CAA approved training organisation. The requirement will change in due course requiring EASA glider pilot licence training to take place under a Declared Training Organisation.

Pilot training rules information is available here

 

Rules of the Air

Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA) now apply to all aircraft including gliders.

Rules of the Air are available here

 

All EASA Regulations

All EASA regulations are detailed on the EASA website.

All EASA rules are available here

 

Trailer Guidance

The BGA publication Trailer Guidance  aims to advice owners of the relevant Road Traffic regulations.

 

Library Resources

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