We are pleased to report a new partnership between the British Gliding Team and Thomas Defence Systems. The BGA looks forward to working with Thomas Defence Systems to enhance glider pilots awareness of the use and care of emergency parachute systems.

The MoD and CAA have agreed accreditation towards SFCL qualification for military pilots including military glider pilots (commonly known as Air Cadet glider pilots). The BGA is developing guidance for clubs. Meanwhile, the information can be viewed here.    

Following helpful engagement with operators at Oxford airport, the BGA is passing on information to glider pilots via a self-briefing document ‘Safe Shared Airspace – Oxford airport’. Pilots who fly in the vicinity of Oxford airport are encouraged to view the self-briefing here.

Following dialogue between the BGA airspace committee, local clubs and with NATS, the OSSEP LoA is being removed during April 2026. The door remains open to consider more relevant access to the related airspace should that be required.

Following intervention by the Vale of White Horse GC supported by the BGA, the TMZ that is 8nm radius centred on Fairford established to support US military operations now has a segment removed to facilitate non-transponder equipped club activity from Sandhill Farm airfield.

The newly named RAF Brize Norton Gliding Club (an RAFGSA club formally known as Bannerdown Gliding Club) hopes to make its first launch at MoD Colerne airfield in early April 2026. There has been a lot of careful work to establish gliding at Colerne and relationships with the airfield owner…

SPL theoretical knowledge practice questions are available as an excellent method of checking knowledge before committing to an exam. The questions are supplied by topic in a quiz format. The BGA SPL Theoretical Knowledge and Exam webpage provides guidance and resources, including the all-new SPL theoretical knowledge practice questions. Our…

The winter weather has resulted in more pilots than usual at this time of year being short of recent flying experience. The SPL and associated instructor certificates are lifetime qualifications that are valid subject to rolling recency requirements. Please refer to SFCL for full details, including how to re-establish rolling recency…

Full spin recognition and recovery is a required part of the SPL syllabus. Most sailplanes will recover promptly from a spin using a standard spin recovery technique taught to student pilots, as described in the 2025 BGA instructor manual. As highlighted in the instructor manual, it is important to note…

Experience protects us – until distraction, complacency, or fatigue take over. Every pilot, at every level, occasionally makes a mistake. It is a well-known fact that refresher information helps to build resilience. The BGA’s Safe Start 2026 self-briefing has been put together to help glider pilots enjoy a safe start…