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The Badge System
There are essentially two parts to the badge system.
The Solo, Bronze and Cross-Country Endorsements
to the Gliding Certificate (provided on application for the Solo Endorsement) issued by the BGA under UK requirements demonstrate piloting skills and knowledge. The sporting badges issued under UK and FAI requirements demonstrate soaring skills. Soaring is really what gliding is about - staying airborne using the energy provided by nature. It's great fun and provides an enormous sense of satisfaction to achieve the standards required. And particularly when your certificate arrives in the post!
The table below outlines the requirements and privileges
for each of the badges. In the case of privileges, it should be
noted that these are ultimately at the discretion of the Chief Flying
Instructor of the site where you are flying.
The requirements here are not definitive - more precise
definitions for Silver, Gold and Diamond Badges can be found in
the
FAI sporting code Section 3, or definitions for all badges can
be found in Laws and Rules and also on the claim
forms.
After diamond, there is a UK 750 kilometre diploma
and the FAI issues diplomas for flights of 1000 kilometres or more
in 250 kilometre increments.
For details of the requirements listed below, please refer to BGA Laws and Rules
Syllabus information is available here.
| Badge |
Minimum Requirements |
Privileges |
Notes |
Solo
Endorsement |
Must be over 14 years old
Must demonstrate appropriate skills & knowledge following dual training and
show reasonable knowledge of the rules of the air, including local airspace rules |
Demonstrates a standard of proficiency reached. |
Training f light time minimum may be waived if a Private or Commercial
Pilot's Licence is held or if you are a qualified services pilot.
An Air Cadet Vigilant solo flight can qualify providing the throttle remains closed after the takeoff and climb, and the flight is supervised on the ground by the Air Cadet A Category Instructor who signs the application form
|
Bronze
Endorsement |
Must be over 16 years old
Must have completed the training syllabus including solo flying requirement
Pass a flying skills test
Pass multiple choice written Air Law and General papers (on
airmanship, meteorology, principles of flight, radiotelephony,
navigation, etc) |
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Bronze Cross-Country Endorsement
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Must have Bronze Badge and approval of the CFI.
Two soaring flights of at least 1 hour and one flight of at
least 2 hours.
Field selection flight.
At least 2 successful approaches into fields.
Plan and fly a triangular task of at least 100km (in a glider,
motorglider or light aircraft).
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With the Bronze Badge, equivalent to a Private Pilot Licence and allows you to fly cross-country, and
also allows you to apply for the Glider pilot's licence (not
essential). |
|
Silver
Badge |
Height - a gain of height of 1000 metres (3281 feet)
or more.
Distance - a flight on a straight course of 50km or more.
Duration - a flight of 5 hours or more. |
Minimum requirement to fly in a competition (for which an
FAI sporting licence is needed). |
Bronze and Cross-Country Endorsement are needed before
attempting the distance component. |
| UK 100km Diploma |
Part 1: A pre-declared 100km triangle or out-and-return
flight.
Part 2: Same as part 1, but with a handicapped speed
of 65kph.
|
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Bronze and Cross-Country Endorsement are needed first. |
Gold
Badge |
Height - a gain of height of 3000 metres (9843 feet)
or more.
Distance - a flight of 300km or more.
Duration - a flight of 5 hours or more |
|
Bronze and Cross-Country Endorsement are needed for the distance component
The flight for Silver duration can count for Gold. |
Diamonds
Badge |
Height - a gain of height of 5000 metres (16405 feet)
Goal - a goal flight of 300km or more over an out-and-return
or triangular course
Distance - a flight of at least 500km |
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Bronze and Cross-Country Endorsement is needed for the distance component.
It is considered a big achievement to gain "all three Diamonds"! |
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