To ensure that all qualified BGA glider pilots will have an SPL with the correct privileges when required, the BGA’s CAA-approved SPL conversion application and checking procedure results in a painless application process. Thousands of pilots at BGA clubs now hold an SPL. For a variety of reasons, not all…

The next BGA Flight Radio Telephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course begins on Tuesday 9th December 2025, providing full training for the licence required to use most non-gliding VHF radio channels. If you’d like to participate, please register now at www.ruskin.me.uk/bga-frtol-course/sign-up We’re also recruiting experienced radio users to coach small groups of FRTOL…

At the end of September, BGA clubs received a request for a speedy response to the annual return, which will assist in assessing the initial impacts of the 2025 initiative raising awareness of gliding. We look forward to receiving all club annual returns as promptly as possible and ideally by…

The BGA’s Sailplane Flight Crew Licensing (SFCL) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpage is regularly updated. If you have a question that you haven’t been able to answer by thumbing through the SFCL rules, the FAQs are a useful resource. You can view the FAQs here.

The Competitions Committee is pleased to announce that Alistair Emson has been appointed British Gliding Team Manager with immediate effective. Alistair is an experienced competition pilot, flies at the Bristol and Gloucestershire GC, and has been very involved with the Junior team until now. He is a very welcome addition…

The FAI has taken action over international Hang Gliding and Paragliding competition safety concerns. You can read more here.

The World air sport federation, the FAI, has highlighted that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the ‘2026 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods’ which enters into force on 1 January 2026.   You can read more here.

The British Gliding Team are now inviting applications for the Junior Development Squad 2025-2026. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of British Gliding Team Coaches who are on the lookout for next generation of World Champions. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to take part in a structured training…

John Garrett, the Senior Regional Examiner in the Thames Valley BGA region, is stepping down from the volunteer role after many years of excellent support to clubs and individuals. The SRE in the Thames Valley BGA region with effect from the 1st October is Ryan Berry from London GC.

The last BGA instructor course of 2025 – and the last under self-regulation – was completed this week at The Gliding Centre.  Thanks as ever to the course coaches and the host club. Congratulations to all the newly trained instructors in 2025!  Thanks for getting involved – and have fun….