Advice on Flying Rated Competitions

Mike Fox gives advice in the BGA briefing for pilots flying in their first rated competition.

Aerobatic Rating Progress Sheet

Aerobatic Training Progress Sheet Cover

Aerobility

Aerobility is a registered charity founded in 1993 offering disabled people, without exception, the opportunity to fly an aeroplane.

Aerotow Performance

Safety Briefing highlighting the factors affecting aerotow take-off performance - for consideration by glider pilots and tug pilots.

Aerotowing Guidance Notes

Aerotowing good practice guidelines

Annex C to IGC Approval for EW Avionics EWFR Models A-D Flight Recorders

Note that this IGC approval has been cancelled. However, the document is referenced in the BGA approval for EW Models...

BGA 1000km Trophy

Rules and requirements for the BGA 1000km Trophy

BGA Advanced Gliding Training Notes

BGA Basic Instructor Course Programme

BGA Examining Standards

The BGA Examining Standards booklet is a complete guide to all BGA Full Rated Instructors and Examiners when carrying out...

BGA Form 5 Instructor Coach issue

BGA Basic Instructor Coach or Flight Instructor Coach application form

BGA Full Rating Assessment Booklet

For use leading up to and during a BGA Full Rating assessment.

BGA Gliding Syllabus

BGA training syllabus leading to Solo, Bronze, and Cross Country Endorsements.

BGA Ground Training Progress Record Card

BGA Ground Training Progress Record Card for use by clubs.

BGA Instructor Manual

The latest edition of the BGA Instructor Manual. This is the complete document - individual sections can also be downloaded...

BGA Instructor Manual - Addenda and Revisions

BGA Instructor Manual, section 1-1

Introduction and Giving Your Best as an Instructor

BGA Instructor Manual, section 1-2

Ground Handling

BGA Instructor Manual, section 1-3

How to Read a Logbook

BGA Instructor Manual, section 1-4

Checklists

BGA Instructor Manual, section 1-5

Lookout

BGA Instructor Manual, section 1-6

Airmanship and Threat Management

BGA Instructor Manual, section 2-10

Turning

BGA Instructor Manual, section 2-11

Airbrakes and Spoilers

BGA Instructor Manual, section 2-12

Approach Control

BGA Instructor Manual, section 2-13

Landing

BGA Instructor Manual, section 2-7

Effects of Controls

BGA Instructor Manual, section 2-8

Use of the Trimmer

BGA Instructor Manual, section 2-9

The Straight Glide

BGA Instructor Manual, section 3-14

Circuit Planning, part 1

BGA Instructor Manual, section 3-15

Circuit Planning, part 2

BGA Instructor Manual, section 4-16

Wire Launching

BGA Instructor Manual, section 4-17

Aerotow Launching

BGA Instructor Manual, section 5-18

Stalling

BGA Instructor Manual, section 5-19

Spinning and Spiral Dives

BGA Instructor Manual, section 6-20

First Solo

BGA Instructor Manual, section 6-21

Flaps

BGA Instructor Manual, section 6-22

Type Conversion

BGA Instructor Manual, section 6-23

Solo Supervision

BGA Instructor Manual, section 6-24

Thermalling

BGA Instructor Manual, section 7-25

Navigation

BGA Instructor Manual, section 7-26

Radio Telephony (RT)

BGA Instructor Manual, section 7-27

Meteorology and Instructing

BGA Instructor Manual, section 7-28

Aerobatic Training

BGA Instructor Manual, section 8-29

Conduct of Trial Lessons

BGA Instructor Manual, section 8-30

Instructor Patter Notes

BGA Instructor Manual, section 8-31

Rigging, Derigging and Daily Inspection

BGA Instructor Manual, section 9-32

The BGA Training Organisation and BGA Instructor Guidance Notes

BGA Instructor Year 3 Check Notes

Suggested content of 3 year checks for BGA Assistant and Full rated instructors

BGA Instructor Year 5 Refresher Notes

Recommended content of 5 year refresher for BGA Assistant and Full rated instructors

BGA Motor Glider Handbook

Guidance for BGA clubs that have motor gliders (MGs) operating from their sites and for the pilots and owners of...

BGA Navigation and Airspace Awareness Training Guidance

This document forms the basis of a formal training scheme for navigation training within the BGA syllabus.

BGA Post-Instructor Course Review

Description and syllabus of the BGA Post-Instructor Course Review

BGA Regions

List dated Apr 20

BGA Training Organisation and Instructor Guidance Notes

This publication is designed to support BGA instructors with appropriate guidance as a helpful companion to the BGA Instructor Manual

BGA Waypoint List

The current BGA Waypoint list. Link to external site containing the definitive list of BGA Turning Points (Waypoints) Waypoints are...

Breaking the Site Barrier

S&G Article on breaking away from local flying

British Aerobatic Association (BAeA)

Link to BAeA web site

Bronze & Beyond

Recommended pre-Bronze endorsement reading. Link to shop.

Bronze Theoretical Study Guide

Syllabus for BGA Bronze Endorsement Theoretical Knowledge

Class D Airspace - R/T Example

Example of a typical radio interchange for a glider wishing to crosss Class D airspace

Converting aeroplane pilots to gliding - a guide for gliding instructors

Guide to support gliding instructors.

Deaf Pilots UK

A web site for all deaf/hard of hearing people interested in flying.

Deregulation of Single Seat Microlight Aeroplanes

Briefing note re re CAA exemption for deregulation of single-seat microlights under 300kg

Distress and Diversion Cell cell c/s "London Centre" on 121.5 - see this link for the D & D leaflet

Leaflet about the D&D Cell on 121.5

Eurofox Towing Evaluation

Report by BGA Chief Tug Pilot

FAI Distance Calculator

Field Crops - for Glider Pilots

Website describing and showing photographs from the air of 9 different crops and discussing their suitability or otherwise for field...

Field Landing Tutorial - Chapter 1

Introduction; The process of field selection; Size, slope, surface

Field Landing Tutorial - Chapter 2

Obstacles on the approach; The effect of wind; The biggest is not always the best!

Field Landing Tutorial - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - Slope: identifying and dealing with it...

Field Landing Tutorial - Chapter 4

Surface, early spring to mid-season; What's growing, can we land on it?; Winter and spring cereal crops; Tram-lines and tractor...

Field Landing Tutorial - Chapter 5

Grass for silage, hay and pasture.

Field Landing Tutorial - Chapter 6

Horses, stud farms and gallops; Sheep; Cattle and stock-fences; Identifying fences and avoiding landing across colour changes

Field Landing Tutorial - Chapter 7

Overhead wires; Spotting the poles; Approaching harvest

Field Landing Tutorial - Chapter 8

Harvest time, stubble and straw; Random tractor tracks; Land along the direction of cut; After the harvest; Happy landings

Field Landing Tutorial - Entire Video

Field Landing Tutorial produced by the Ted Lysakowsky Trust

Flying in French National Parks

FFVV briefing for pilots planning to fly in French national parks

Full Instructor Test Record

Everything you need for the Full Rating test

Getting to the Core of Clouds

S&G Article - John Coutts offers tips on improving thermalling

Getting Your Soaring Up To Speed

S&G Article- Jay Rebbeck explains why slower can be faster

Gliding - Theory of Flight

BGA Manual. Recommended reading for all pilots and instructors. Link to shop.

Gliding in France

Information about gliding in France

Gliding in the Alps - Links

Useful links for pilots considering flying in Sisteron or in the Alps

Gliding navigation and field landing training record card

Gliding Record Claim Form

BGA and FAI claims should be made using the forms supplied by the IGC - link supplied. There are seperate...

Gliding terms and definitions guide

Guidance for instructors and student pilots where English is a second language.

Gliding Training Progress Record Card (excluding navigation and field landing)

We suggest adapting the record card for club use, ensuring no exercises from the syllabus are missed. The word document...

Going Further and Faster

S&G Article - Pete Masson offers tips on improving your cross-country speed

Guidance - After a Field Landing

BGA guidance for glider pilots on what to do after a field landing

How To Enjoy Your First Gliding Competition

S&G Article - Andy Davis draws on the team training programme and his own experience for tips to help you

How to Fly Longer Distances

S&G Article - Ian Baker shares 7 success factors

How to Share a Thermal

S&G Article - Simon Adlard offers advice on keeping station in a thermal

How to Thermal Better

S&G Article - Jay Rebbeck advises on how to use a thermal

IFP and course coach resources

Information and guidance for pilots and coaches involved in IFP training

IGC Approved Flight Recorders

Links to FAI web site

IGC Document Library

Links to various IGC documents, including Sporting Code Annexes, records, awards, etc

IGC GNSS Flight Recorder Approval Committee

Lists approved devices (flight recorders and position recorders) and other useful information

Information for Chief Flying Instructors

This guide aims to address the organisational and flying responsibilities of being a CFI. It also contains ideas on how...

Instructional Flights: How to Make the Most of Them

S&G Article - Debb Evans has some tips fpr making the most of your instructional flights

Instructor reference cards

Introductory Flight Pilot - course programme and record of training

BGA Introductory Flight Pilot (IFP) endorsement course programme and record of training.

LAA Pilot Refresher

Guidance for those about to spend an hour with an instructor for class rating revalidation purposes

Learning to Soar Slopes

S&G Article - Don Puttock offers advice on how to exploit hills

Lessons and Disabilities

Advice for Instructors - Gliding Lessons Involving People with Disabilities

Letter (M Fox) to instructors re stall/spin training

Making the Most of the South Downs

A presentation that aims to introduce ridge soaring to pilots of all levels

Managing partial power failure

An Australian ATSB publication re managing partial power loss after takeoff in single-engine aircraft

NCO SPEC sailplane towing generic risk assessment and checklist

Applicable to sailplane towing with EASA aeroplanes and TMG's

Pilot briefing topics

Topics that could be used during a pre-flight briefing of inexperienced pilots

Planning Sheet

A planning sheet to help pilots map out their gliding goals

Prepare for Some Fun

S&G Article - Debb Evans offers some tips for a successful early cross-country flight

Preparing for the BGA BI course - notes for coaches and candidates

RASP demystified and other guidance

Reading the Sky Ahead

S&G Article - Jay Rebbeck advises on how to improve decision making

Rotax 914 operating guidance

LAA article by Francis Donaldson

Safe Winch Launching Videos with Subtitles

Safe winch launching videos, february 2014

Searching the Sky

S&G Article - Jay Rebbeck explains how to pick the racing line

SFCL Flight Examiner Handbook

SFCL Flight Examiner Handbook Please note - this publication is subject to periodic updates. It is recommended that users only...

Soaring and airspace - the glider pilots perspective

An education piece about how glider pilots stay airborne.

Solo Endorsement and Gliding Certificate Application Form

Application for the solo endorsement and gliding certificate

Sowing the seeds of success - S&G

S&G article describing how coaching pilots can grow success

Speed to Fly Calculator

An Excel spreadsheet that will calculate the theoretical speed to fly for any glider under any set of specific situations

Takeover Control Guidance

BGA safety briefing describing takeover control guidance

The BGA Training Organisation

The BGA Flight Training Organisation explained

Thermal, ridge and wave soaring techniques and safety

The FAA publication describing thermal, ridge and wave soaring techniques and safety considerations. Source URL also supplied.

Thermalling secrets of success - S&G article

S&G article describing how to fly cross country more successfully through improved thermalling

Training News - Issue 1

BGA Training News - June 2014

Training News - Issue 2

BGA Training News - August 2014

Training News - Issue 3

BGA Training Organisation News - May 2015

Training News - Issue 4

BGA Training Organisation News - September 2015

Training News - Issue 5

BGA Training News - August 2016

Training News - Issue 6

BGA Training News - Spring 2017

Training News - Issue 7

Training news issue 10 Oct 2021

Trigger Points and Feeders

S&G Article - Justin Needham's experience of hang-gliding has led him to devote serious thought to thermal triggers and feeders

Turning Point Calculator

Turning Point Information

Turning Point Search Tool

Use of UL91

Guidance for operators considering use of Unleaded AVGAS UL91

Use the Others to Climb

S&G Article - Simon Adlard explains how to exploit company in your thermal

Visual Reference Points (VRPs)

A list of VRPs - not definitive

Walking on Air

A charity enabling people with disabilities to glide

Worldwide Soaring Turnpoint Exchange

Links to turning point files from around the world