Pilot Licensing Introduction

In the UK there is currently no legal requirement for pilots of unpowered sailplanes and self sustaining sailplanes to hold a licence. Pilots of powered sailplanes (other than self sustaining sailplanes) are legally required to hold an appropriate Private Pilots Licence - the UK licence is the NPPL SLMG - see below.

The BGA Glider Pilot Licence

The BGA requires glider pilots to be trained to a defined minimum standard. Certification of glider pilots is managed by the BGA through the BGA gliding certificate with endorsements. Within this BGA system, the Bronze badge with cross country endorsement is equivalent to an ICAO glider pilot licence standard when supported by an ICAO compliant medical. The BGA offers a BGA Glider Pilot Licence which enables the holder to demonstrate ICAO equivalence where that is required. Details and the application form for the BGA GPL are here.

The National Private Pilots Licence - Self Launching Motor Glider

Since the introduction of JAR licencing and medical requirements in the UK, the CAA, BGA, AOPA, PFA, BMAA and others have been involved in negotiating a sub-ICAO, UK national, VFR recreational flying licence, with the key aims of maintaining high safety standards while at the same time making recreational flying more affordable and inclusive within the UK.

This licence has some very real benefits for members of BGA clubs, and may even become the main licence for all recreational pilots in the UK. The NPPL SLMG incorporates a number of major changes in privileges, training requirements, gaining other ratings and medical requirements when compared to the JAR TMG licence & the old UK SLMG PPL. Please note that the NPPL SLMG is not ICAO compliant without additional training (to a total of 40 hours) and a JAR class 2 medical.

As experience of the NPPL is gained, the BGA will continue to ensure that best interests of its membership are reflected in any future changes to the licence by its continued involvement with the NPPL administration and decision making process. Any changes will be announced as they occur.

For more information, please read the Frequently Asked Questions section.

The NPPL SLMG syllabus, which includes all the necessary forms, and a document stating cross credit dispensation for other flying experience are available as pdfs at www.nppl.uk.com. Individual forms, including the NPPL SLMG application form, are available separately as a pdf on the same website.

If you still can't find what you require, please consult LASORS from the CAA

For urgent enquiries, or if you still have problems finding the information you require, contact office@gliding.co.uk or telephone 0116 2531051.

NPPL SLMG Theoretical Examinations 31st December 2005

With effect from 28th February 2006, NPPL SLMG applicants are required to pass the JAR-FCL PPL theoretical knowledge examinations. NPPL SLMG licence applications will be rejected if any of the UK PPL A theoretical examinations are used for examination purposes after this date. Where UK PPL A examination papers have been used before 28th February 2006, the full period of validity will apply. All NPPL SLMG flight and ground examiners have been issued with the JAR-FCL examination papers (issued December 2005) which are effective from 3rd January 2006. Pilots currently working through the NPPL theoretical examinations are advised to discuss these changes with an NPPL SLMG examiner.