Laws & Rules

The BGA is the national governing body of sport gliding. Gliding takes place under a mix of national, retained-EU and self regulation.  The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UK aviation safety regulator.

‘Laws and Rules’ details applicable law as well as self-regulation through BGA Operational Regulations and associated requirements.

Please note that ‘EASA aircraft’ are now known as ‘Part 21 aircraft’, and ‘non-EASA aircraft’ are now known as ‘non-Part 21 aircraft’. BGA documents will be updated in due course.

•    BGA Operational Regulations
•    Airworthiness
•    Competitions
•    Gliding certificate and endorsements
•    Instructors
•    Managing flying risk – every glider pilot needs this information
•    Medical
•    Membership
•    Radio
•    Rules of the Air
•    Sailplane Air Operations (SAO)
•    Sailplane Flight Crew Licensing (SFCL)
•    – guidance for SPL holders
•    Sporting badges and diplomas
•    Trailers

Pilots and owners of non-Part 21 aircraft must comply with the relevant national rules detailed in the Air Navigation Order.

Retained UK regulation 2018/1976 – this is the UK version of the EU SFCL and SAO regulation detailed above.