Learn to Fly
Overview of the Process
The process for learning to fly a glider is governed by the British Gliding Association. (BGA).
The first stage is learning the basics to the point where you can fly solo. As you build your skills
and experience you can then obtain the BGA Bronze Badge and Cross Country endorsements
needed to become a qualified pilot and obtain what will shortly be known as a Sailplane Pilots
Licence.
Beyond that, the sky’s the limit. As you build your skills and meet the specified requirements,
you can learn to do aerobatics, participate in competitions, and train to become an instructor if
you wish.
People with disabilities or limited mobility may wish to view the BGA site for information.
Getting to Solo
The syllabus for getting to solo is as follows:
1. Pre and Post-Flight Operations Detail
•
‘Pre and post-flight operations’ detail is introduced at an appropriate point in training. E.g.
use of parachute and abandonment is introduced ahead of a first flight and periodically
reinforced, particularly with a change in aircraft type. Includes:
o
Use of parachute and abandonment
o
Glider post assembly/rigging checks
o
Pre-flight inspection and positive control checks including recording
o
Obtaining NOTAMs
o
Recording of flight time
o
Glider ground handling/parking/storage
2. Flight Training Syllabus (to first solo)
Lookout
o
Technique & collision avoidance
Effects of Controls
o
Effects of elevator, rudder, aileron & flaps (if required)
o
Adverse yaw
o
Speed monitoring & control
o
Co-ordination
Use of Trim
The Straight Glide
o
Drift, track & heading
Turning
o
Entry, exit and maintenance
o
Slip & skid
o
Regaining a heading
o
Steeper turns
Airbrakes (and/or Spoilers)
o
Effects
Approach Control
o
Normal
o
Undershoot
o
Overshoot
Landing
o
Final approach
o
Round out
o
Hold off
o
Landing
o
Use of wheel brake
o
Cross wind landing
Circuit Planning
o
Reference point
o
Height/distance/angle judgement
o
Normal circuit
o
Modified circuit
o
Effect of wind
Launching (available launch method)
o
Equipment
o
Launch speeds
o
Safe launching techniques
o
Launch failures
o
Launch abandonment
Stalling
o
Symptoms 1G stalling
o
Accelerated stalling
o
Lack of effective elevator at stall
o
Reduced G not reliable symptom of stalling
o
Stall with wing drop
Spinning & Spiral Dives
o
Spinning – recognition & recovery
o
Spiral dive – recognition & recovery
o
‘Further spin’ loss of control scenarios – recognition and recovery from departure
Solo experience
o
Student pilot knowledge of rules of the air and local airspace knowledge is assessed
prior to first solo.
o
Solo experience including normal take-offs, circuits and landings
o
Subsequent supervised solo flying
•
Time and Cost
Top
Learn to Fly
Overview of the Process
The process for learning to fly a glider is governed by
the British Gliding Association. (BGA).
The first stage is learning the basics to the point where
you can fly solo. As you build your skills and experience
you can then obtain the BGA Bronze Badge and Cross
Country endorsements needed to become a qualified
pilot and obtain what will shortly be known as a
Sailplane Pilots Licence.
Beyond that, the sky’s the limit. As you build your skills
and meet the specified requirements, you can learn to
do aerobatics, participate in competitions, and train to
become an instructor if you wish.
People with disabilities or limited mobility may wish to
view the BGA site for information.
Getting to Solo
The syllabus for getting to solo is as follows:
1. Pre and Post-Flight Operations Detail
•
‘Pre and post-flight operations’ detail is introduced
at an appropriate point in training. E.g. use of
parachute and abandonment is introduced ahead
of a first flight and periodically reinforced,
particularly with a change in aircraft type. Includes:
o
Use of parachute and abandonment
o
Glider post assembly/rigging checks
o
Pre-flight inspection and positive control
checks including recording
o
Obtaining NOTAMs
o
Recording of flight time
o
Glider ground handling/parking/storage
2. Flight Training Syllabus (to first solo)
Lookout
o
Technique & collision avoidance
Effects of Controls
o
Effects of elevator, rudder, aileron & flaps (if
required)
o
Adverse yaw
o
Speed monitoring & control
o
Co-ordination
Use of Trim
The Straight Glide
o
Drift, track & heading
Turning
o
Entry, exit and maintenance
o
Slip & skid
o
Regaining a heading
o
Steeper turns
Airbrakes (and/or Spoilers)
o
Effects
Approach Control
o
Normal
o
Undershoot
o
Overshoot
Landing
o
Final approach
o
Round out
o
Hold off
o
Landing
o
Use of wheel brake
o
Cross wind landing
Circuit Planning
o
Reference point
o
Height/distance/angle judgement
o
Normal circuit
o
Modified circuit
o
Effect of wind
Launching (available launch method)
o
Equipment
o
Launch speeds
o
Safe launching techniques
o
Launch failures
o
Launch abandonment
Stalling
o
Symptoms 1G stalling
o
Accelerated stalling
o
Lack of effective elevator at stall
o
Reduced G not reliable symptom of stalling
o
Stall with wing drop
Spinning & Spiral Dives
o
Spinning – recognition & recovery
o
Spiral dive – recognition & recovery
o
‘Further spin’ loss of control scenarios –
recognition and recovery from departure
Solo experience
o
Student pilot knowledge of rules of the air and
local airspace knowledge is assessed prior to
first solo.
o
Solo experience including normal take-offs,
circuits and landings
o
Subsequent supervised solo flying
•
Time and Cost
Top
