Glider Pilot License
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In most countries one is required to obtain a glider pilot license (GPL) or certificate before acting as pilot of a glider. The requirements vary from country to country. In many countries, licensing or certification is similar for gliders and powered aircraft. Training must be undertaken from a certified instructor, and a license or certificate is then issued by the government, limited to gliders only. The exception is when a pilot is flying under Ultralight (Ultralite) glider rules within the United States. The aviation knowledge and skill requirements for a glider are usually similar to those for a powered aircraft, taking into account the different requirements of the aircraft categories. Most countries also require medical certificates for pilots, although in some countries "self-certification", ''i.e.'', a legal statement that one is fit to fly, is allowed for gliders. The United States does not require a medical certificate to operate a glider with a U.S. airman certificate. Canada also permits glider pilot license holders to self-certify, but requires regular medical examinations for gliding instructors. In some countries, glider instruction and licensing are regulated by a national non-governmental organisation representing the gliding community. This is true in the
Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...
,
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
,
New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
and the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
. New Zealand also issues a government license to pilots who fly for fees and for those who wish their qualifications to be accepted more readily overseas. Countries vary in their acceptance of pilot licenses from other countries to fly aircraft registered in the home country. Many permit pilots to fly on their home licenses for short periods, others insist on conversion to their license. Generally, a pilot may fly an aircraft registered in their home country with their home country's license or certificate, in any other country, subject to international conventions.


Canada


United States


United Kingdom

The minimum age for a solo glider flight in the UK is 14. A driving licence is adequate evidence of medical fitness for solo flight, and pilots under the age of 25 may self-certify. Failing this a medical certificate is required from the pilot's own doctor, to the same standard as a provisional driving licence, unless the pilot has a higher certificate such as the EASA Class 2 medical required for a
Private Pilot Licence A private pilot licence (PPL) or private pilot certificate is a type of pilot licence that allows the holder to act as pilot in command of an aircraft privately (not for remuneration). The basic licence requirements are determined by the Inter ...
(PPL). Gliding in the UK is self-regulated by the
British Gliding Association The British Gliding Association (BGA) is the governing body for gliding in the United Kingdom. Gliding in the United Kingdom operates through 80 gliding clubs (both civilian and service) which have 2,310 gliders and 9,462 full flying members (i ...
(BGA) and by its member clubs. Training is based on standards defined by the BGA and is conducted by instructors who have been trained on its courses. Further practical training is required after solo, plus a multiple choice test which is very similar to the PPL theory exam, before a pilot is given an endorsement to fly cross-country. Most flights do not require radio contact with
air traffic control Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled air ...
units, but some pilots obtain a radio operator's licence should that eventuality arise. As of 2023, the BGA issues two major gliding qualifications, the Gliding Certificate (aka Glider Pilot Certificate), and the Glider Pilot Licence. Both are being phased out in favour of an
ICAO The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO ) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation, and fosters the planning and development of international sch ...
-compliant Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL), which can be used abroad. The SPL is specified in UK Part-SFCL. It will still be issued by the BGA, under Delegated Authority from the CAA. The Gliding Certificate can be converted to an SPL, but the Glider Pilot Licence cannot. The Gliding Certificate is endorsed for each requirement met, and also shows sporting achievements for the FAI's gliding badges, plus the UK's own 100 km and 750 km Diplomas.


EASA

Throughout Europe the
European Aviation Safety Agency The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is an agency of the European Commission with responsibility for civil aviation safety in the European Union. It carries out certification, regulation and standardisation and also performs inve ...
(EASA) is the rulemaking body responsible for pilot licensing. For glider pilots there are two options: * The Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (Sailplanes) (LAPL(S)) is a sub-
ICAO The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO ) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation, and fosters the planning and development of international sch ...
licence, meaning it does not have to be accepted in non-EASA countries. * The Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL) is an ICAO-recognised licence, valid worldwide. In some EASA member states (notably the UK), a lower medical standard applies to the LAPL(S), such that a pilot may choose the LAPL medical instead of a Class 2 medical. During the transition period, UK pilots may self-declare medical fitness, being restricted to UK-registered EASA aircraft. Crucially, a pilot exercising the rights of a SPL may receive remuneration but the holder of a LAPL(S) may not.


See also

*
Pilot licensing and certification Pilot licensing or certification refers to permits for operating aircraft. Flight crew licences are issued by the civil aviation authority of each country, which must establish that the holder has met minimum knowledge and experience before issui ...


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Glider Pilot License Aviation licenses and certifications Gliding