Keeping gliding options open from 2015
Thread Starter
No, not yet available.
I understand that its inception is imminent.
I understand that its inception is imminent.
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!
Thread Starter
What is it that you are still unsure of?
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.
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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?
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.
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.
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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.
Thread Starter
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.
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?
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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.
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.
Thread Starter
Hey, thoughtful flyer, any experienced instructor will be able to tell from your flying whether or not your logbook entries are credible!
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.
Last edited by Thoughtful_Flyer; 4th Jul 2013 at 10:05.
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.
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.
ps. you can get an EASA medical from your GP - advice here.
Thread Starter
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.
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?