Pilot Training and Development
Learning to Fly
Glider pilot training starts with learning to fly and achieving your first solo flight. At this point you are issued with the BGA Gliding Certificate.
The next steps are to gain the Bronze and Cross-Country Endorsements at which point you are a qualified glider pilot and can apply for a Sailplane Pilot Licence.
There are also several Sporting Badges and Diplomas to aspire to, the Siver Badge in particular qualifies you to gain a Competition Licence.
The pathway below lays out the steps for the various training and development stages possible to progess to after your first solo.
Training to Solo
Glider pilots learn to fly at their club in dual control gliders with qualified instructors following the BGA Gliding Syllabus. This syllabus will take you right from the earliest stages through to becoming a fully qualified glider pilot. The training can be intensive or spread over many weeks and months as suits individual needs. The first phase of the training prepares you for your first solo flight and gaining the BGA Gliding Certificate.
Once solo, you can qualify for Silver Height & Silver Duration parts of the Siver Badge, one of many Sporting Badges & Diplomas you can aspire to.
Key Resources
The BGA Student Pilot Manual is a must have for anyone learning to glide
BGA gliding training progress record card (excluding navigation and field landing)
BGA ground training progress card
Learning to fly with a disability
Converting to gliding from powered flying
Solo Endorsement And Gliding Certificate Application Form
Bronze and Cross-Country Endorsements
Although important, and a memorable achievement, going solo just marks the beginning of the next phase of your training which is to achieve the BGA Bronze Endorsement. This entails completing a number of solo flights, skills tests and a theory course and exam. It is then time to move on to the Cross-Country Endorsement, which involves Navigation and Field Landing exercises. After this you will be a qualified glider pilot and can complete the Silver Distance element of the Silver Badge.
Key Resources
Bronze and Cross-Country Endorsements
Preparing for the Bronze theoretical knowledge test – Cambridge Gliding Centre
Bronze endorsement communications – Jordan Bridge
BGA gliding navigation and field landing progress record card
Other online resources and links, including study materials
Pilot Development
There are many opportunities to develop your skills as a pilot and to widen your participation in the sport.
Achieving Sporting Badges & Diplomas