Keeping gliding options open from 2015

[Flyin'Dutch']

No, not yet available.

I understand that its inception is imminent.

[Oldbiggincfi]

Glider/Sailplane EASA Licence

I understand that its inception is imminent.


Originally, Early 2013 ? Currently, expected June 2013 ! but there's not much left.

[Thoughtful_Flyer]

No, not yet available.

I understand that its inception is imminent.

Sorry, what I meant was I have read everything that is presently available on the BGA web page you linked.

None of it answers the questions I raised at the start of this thread. Maybe eventually they will. Sadly I suspect it will only be relatively straightforward for those who are currently in a BGA club. If, like me, you haven't flown a glider or been a member of a club for ten or more years I doubt there will be much help.

Equally, if you are current but independent of the BGA (as is your legal right) I suspect you will also be stuffed!

[thing]

Thought it was coming in April 2015?

[Prop swinger]

I've read it carefully and, at least for my circumstances, I'm little wiser (or better informed)!

What is it that you are still unsure of?

[Thoughtful_Flyer]

What is it that you are still unsure of?

How I get my logbook evidence (e.g aerotow and winch launch) certified when I have not been a member of a BGA club for over ten years.

As I read it I will need that in addition to a medical and my GPL, Bronze, CC and Silver C all of which the BGA presumably still have on file.

If I was a member of a club and current it would be easy (I assume). However I was not intending to re-start gliding for about another four years.

[cats_five]

It might depend which club(s) you did the gliding at. WhereI fly we have computerised log sheets going back some 20 years. Have you rung the club(s) at which you flew to see if they can help?

[Prop swinger]

How I get my logbook evidence (e.g aerotow and winch launch) certified when I have not been a member of a BGA club for over ten years.

You ask someone. There's nothing that says you have to be a member of the same club as the certifier but it will undoubtedly help if they know you. You are not asking that they certify your entire logbook, just that you have flown the minimum number of launches to qualify for a particular launch endorsement.

It may be possible to get a sailplane licence without any launch endorsements. On the power side, a pilot can still apply for an (A) licence even if he hasn't flown for years. His ratings will have lapsed so his new EASA licence won't have any ratings on it, he will have to do further training & testing to add the ratings but at least he will have the licence. It may be possible to do the same with the sailplane licence and launch endorsements.

The BGA conversion route is being negotiated with the CAA for the benefit of the members of BGA clubs. There's nothing to stop you applying directly to the CAA using SRG1104.

[astir 8]

I suppose it could be argued that this kind of assistance is why we've been paying capitation fees to the BGA all these years and ultimately you gets what you pays for.

[Thoughtful_Flyer]

I suppose it could be argued that this kind of assistance is why we've been paying capitation fees to the BGA all these years and ultimately you gets what you pays for.

Whilst I'm sure some would take that view it could also be argued that, as a national body, they should be working for the good of gliding as a whole and not just their members.

It will be interesting to see what happens and what support, if any, I get as a former member of a BGA club (and by extension of the BGA).

Does anybody know the likely total cost? As far as I can gather I would need to see a CAA medical examiner and not just my GP so I fear that will be a couple of hundred or so for starters. How long is the medical valid for? Given I don't expect to restart for at least four years is there not a way of getting the licence but holding off on the medical until the time?

[mary meagher]

Hey, thoughtful flyer, any experienced instructor will be able to tell from your flying whether or not your logbook entries are credible!

We had the pleasure of two old boys turning up at Shenington a few weeks ago who hadn't flown gliders for years and years, yet in a weeks course they were solo again and very pleased.

I am not happy with the notion you could buy a fancy self launching sailplane, take off from your farmstrip, and go swanning about without oversight of some sort.

[Thoughtful_Flyer]

Hey, thoughtful flyer, any experienced instructor will be able to tell from your flying whether or not your logbook entries are credible!

Yes, but that is not really my point. What I'm trying to do is, if you like, protect my investment and make sure that my previous experience and qualifications are not wasted if I re-start in four to five years time.

Obviously I could do a course next year, go solo again and hopefully get my logbook experience signed off then apply for the new licence. However, as I don't intend to restart properly for a further four years that would be largely wasted. What I want to do is get the paperwork sorted then have the minimum necessary training to get back to a safe solo standard when it suits me in the future. My concern is that if I don't do it in this transition window I will have to re-take theory exams etc. What frustrates me is that I cannot get a clear answer from anybody about what happens if, like me, you are an experienced pilot but not current.

I am not happy with the notion you could buy a fancy self launching sailplane, take off from your farmstrip, and go swanning about without oversight of some sort.

No, nor would I be! However you can't even do that under the current system if the glider is self launching. Yes, in theory you could buy an LS8 or whatever and do as you say with a pure glider providing you could get somebody to give you an aerotow. Hopefully nobody would be that stupid .......

[Prop swinger]

What frustrates me is that I cannot get a clear answer from anybody about what happens if, like me, you are an experienced pilot but not current.

That's because you haven't asked. The CAA or BGA cannot issue a blanket "you must sign any document that gets put in front of you" command; that would be stupid. Only the certifier can decide whether he is prepared to have his name forever associated with your documents.

As it turns out, the club CFI, chairman & secretary can all act as certifiers for the conversion. I suggest that you make an appointment to meet up with one of these at your nearest club, explain your predicament & ask if it is worth your while getting an EASA medical, ie if you get a medical, would they be prepared to sign your documents?

However you can't even do that under the current system if the glider is self launching.

Yes you can, with the appropriate PPL or NPPL. It's no different to flying any other aircraft from a farm strip.

ps. you can get an EASA medical from your GP - advice here.

[Thoughtful_Flyer]

Yes you can, with the appropriate PPL or NPPL. It's no different to flying any other aircraft from a farm strip.

I realise that. What I was referring to was that, at the moment, you could fly a glider legally with no qualifications whatsoever providing it was not self launching. Anyway, that is not relevant in my case.

ps. you can get an EASA medical from your GP - advice here.

Thanks, I have read the CAA info before. However because of a past medical problem I would have to see a CAA medical examiner and not just my GP. I would not expect a problem but it will increase the cost.

As it turns out, the club CFI, chairman & secretary can all act as certifiers for the conversion. I suggest that you make an appointment to meet up with one of these at your nearest club, explain your predicament & ask if it is worth your while getting an EASA medical, ie if you get a medical, would they be prepared to sign your documents?

That is helpful, thank you. Obviously it would be easier if one of them was at the club during my time and remembers me but presumably they still have the club logs? Actually, having checked, it is 13 to 15 years ago - time flies if if I currently don't!