Instructors Introduction

Safe, high quality and standardised instruction is a vital part of all BGA gliding club operations. The BGA Instructor Sub-Committee at the core of the wider BGA flight training organisation oversees all aspects of instructor development from initial training on approved courses through to the appointment of examiners. In addition, the Instructors Sub-Committee continually reviews instructor training and performance to ensure that the highest possible safety standards and gliding instruction standards are maintained at all times.

Click here if you are you interested in becoming an instructor

Click here to find dates of instructor courses

Click here if you have a question about BGA instructor ratings

Instructors News

BGA Courses 2010 22nd January 2010

The schedule for 2010 Assistant Instructor Courses has now been published.  These will take at clubs around the country.  Courses should be booked via the BGA office – you are recommended to make your reservations ASAP to secure your choice of location.  BGA coaching at locally organised club soaring and cross country courses can be arranged on an availability basis. Please initially contact the National Coach – mike@gliding.co.uk.  BGA Motor Glider Instructor Rating courses and CAA SLMG Flying Instructor courses can be organised for pilots wishing to gain those ratings. Details are available here.

Motor Glider Instructors Wanted 15th May 2008

The Hertfordshire Scouts have a Super Falke motor glider based at Gransden Lodge in Cambridgeshire. Learning to glide in this aircraft is proving very popular among increasing numbers of young people - so much so that the club at Gransden Lodge would very much welcome visiting BGA MGIR or CAA SLMG flying instructors who could give up an occasional weekend half or full day to help with the flying. Please contact the club directly rather than the Scouts – office@glide.co.uk

Letter to CFIs 5th August 2007

A copy of the letter recently sent to BGA club CFIs offering guidance regarding non instructors carrying club members in two seat gliders is reproduced here.

Update to Instructor Requirements and Privileges 20th June 2007

The Instructor Requirements and Privileges have been updated to include requirements for non-BGA gliding instructors

Update to Motor Gliding Information 20th June 2007

The CAA MGIR revalidation process described in LASOR's is detailed here

Updated Forms 11th September 2006

The whole range of BGA instructing forms has been updated with a new administration process that takes effect from 1st October 2006.

Maximum Manoeuvring Speed.  2nd May 2006

The report following the fatal accident involving a K7 that suffered structural failure in flight has indicated that glider pilots should be reminded of the significance of the Maximum Manoeuvring speed – Va.  Accordingly, the BGA has published a document to this effect.  The document also provides a link to the accident report. It is strongly recommended that all qualified glider pilots remind themselves of the meaning and significance of Va, and that all CFI’s ensure that their club instructors have adequate subject knowledge and are therefore able to appropriately brief pilots under training. 

Updated Forms 27th September 2005

The Basic and Full Instructor record cards have been updated in the forms section.

New SRE 9th June 2005

Bruce Tapson has taken over as Senior Regional Examiner for the North East Region.

New Cross Country Coaching Initiative 10th January 2005

In recent years the British Gliding Teams have benefited greatly from a coaching scheme organised and run by several current and ex team members. Many lessons have been learnt and the content of the coaching courses has been refined to suit the Team's needs. It is evident that much of what is being done for the Teams could be of benefit to many pilots aspiring to improve their performance in cross country flying, and it is felt that pilots who are involved with coaching other cross country pilots at club level could benefit from the team coaches' experience.

In April this year, the BGA Team Manager Brian Spreckley will run a BGA coaching course with BGA National Coach Simon Adlard, using the BGA's recently refurbished Duo, at Ontur in Spain. The course objective is to establish guidelines for coaches and a framework for cross country coaching schemes within BGA Clubs.

If you have experienced cross country pilots in your club who are already involved in soaring instruction and coaching and who would like to attend the course, please encourage them to apply to the address below. There will be a course fee. The course candidates will be selected from a short list by Brian, Simon and the Chairman of the Instructors panel.

Applicants should forward personal details, club details and a short gliding cv to Simon Adlard (sadlard@dircon.co.uk) or via the BGA Office.

Updated Forms 5th October 2004

The Basic and Assistant Instructor record cards have been updated in the forms section. An Instructor renewal form, and motor glider instructor rating record sheet have also been added.

Examiner Contacts 5th October 2004

Examiner contacts have now been added in the contacts section.

New Chairman 4th August 2004

New Instructors Committee Chairman. Don Irving has been appointed the new chairman of the BGA Instructors Committee, succeeding Bob Pettifer. Don is a highly experienced examiner, who flies his Ventus 2cT from Portmoak.