Gliding Certificate and Endorsements Requirements

Updated 30th September 2025

The BGA Gliding Certificate is issued by the BGA under delegation from the Royal Aero Club and indicates the standard of achievement reached by the pilot. BGA endorsements and BGA and FAI badges and certificates are recorded in the BGA Gliding Certificate.

Application forms and fees payable are detailed on the BGA members website.

Exercising any of the privileges identified here is subject to the approval of the gliding club from where the flying takes place.

The BGA Gliding Certificate with Solo Endorsement

The BGA Gliding Certificate may be issued on application following the applicant’s first solo flight where the applicant:

  • is at least 14 years of age, and
  • has completed the pre-solo elements of the SPL pilot training syllabus, and
  • has completed one solo circuit in a glider or motor glider in unpowered flight after the launch, followed by a satisfactory landing, and
  • has demonstrated to the supervising instructor at the time of the first solo flight an appropriate level of knowledge of rules of the air and local airspace restrictions.

Privileges: the pilot may fly solo under the authorisation and supervision of an FI(S).

Application: the application form is available here 

BGA Cross-Country Endorsement

(For use in non-Part 21 gliders only. Not required by SPL holders)

The BGA Cross-Country Endorsement may be issued on application where the applicant:

  • is at least 16 years of age, and
  • is recommended by the CFI, and
  • has satisfactorily completed the SPL syllabus exercises 1-17, and the SPL theoretical knowledge examinations, and the Cross-Country Endorsement General Skills Test (see application form)

Privileges: the holder may fly outside gliding range of the airfield and cross-country as pilot in command of a non-Part 21 glider subject to an appropriate level of currency being established.

Application:  the application form is available from the BGA office.

BGA Introductory Flight Pilot

The UK ANO and UK Basic Regulation provide the opportunity for BGA member clubs to use pilots who are not instructors to carry out introductory flying where the passenger pays for the flight. In support of the need to mitigate the associated risks to third parties and to others involved in the activity, the BGA requires those pilots carrying out introductory flying where the passenger pays for the flight to hold a BGA Introductory Flight Pilot (IFP) endorsement. Any holder of valid Basic Instructor privileges is deemed to hold IFP privileges.

The BGA Introductory Flight Pilot Endorsement may be issued on application where the applicant:

  • is at least 16 years of age on application, and
  • holds an SPL (or for non-Part 21 flying only the BGA Cross-Country Endorsement), and
  • has the required experience, i.e in Unpowered sailplanes an SPL plus 50 hours pilot in command (PIC) in sailplanes, or TMG licence privileges plus 50 hours PIC sailplanes including 20 hours PIC in TMG, or SPL self-launch privileges plus 50 hours PIC sailplanes to include 20 launches PIC self-launch, and
  • completes an approved BGA Introductory Flight Pilot course with the CFI or a Flight Instructor Coach.

Privileges: the holder may carry out introductory flights paid for by the passenger. The introductory flying privileges must not be exercised on a particular launch type unless the launch type privileges are held. The introductory flying must be supervised by an FI(S) approved to do so by the CFI.

Application:  the application form is available here

IFP annual review

An annual review by the CFI is required confirming:

  • in the previous 12 months, at least 10 hours or 20 launches pilot in command in sailplanes/TMGs as appropriate, and
  • an annual check by a CFI or a suitably experienced FI(S) appointed by the CFI.

Successful completion of the annual review must be certified in the pilot’s logbook by the CFI. Where the review is not successful, training should be completed to reach the required experience standard as assessed by the CFI or a Flight Instructor Coach.

BGA and FAI badges and certificates

See https://members.gliding.co.uk/pilotinformation/badges-certificates-and-claims/

BGA and FAI badges are certified on the BGA Gliding Certificate.