BGA Advanced Gliding – Suggested Syllabus 1. Requirements 1a. General The large variation in club fleets, locations and opportunities makes it impractible for a single syllabus for all. As a result, this syllabus is more a guide which is intentionally flexible and clubs and their pilots, including non instructors, are encouraged to take and do what they can. Many aspects of advanced gliding can and are learnt in solo aircraft and as a result the notes accompanying this syllabus are written so that this can be done. In order to simplify the requirements all 4 sections are included here. Intro to the need and difficulties, syllabus, reading or lecture notes and finally some pre-flight briefing guides with diagrams. 1b. Training Record Flight training, including exercises flown, number of launches and flight time shall be recorded in a clear format and authenticated by the instructor in charge. A training progress record card supported by a pilot logbook is an acceptable format. A club record of training is also published as an appendix to this syllabus. 1c. Instructors Flight instruction may only be provided by a BGA/EASA rated gliding instructor. Coaching by non-instructors is commonplace. The associated issues should be considered very carefully. 2. Advanced Gliding Training Syllabus BGA 2a. Theoretical Knowledge. Both the flight of gliders and the weather are simply a subject of physics. As such an appropriate level of theoretical knowledge must be demonstrated in at least the following subjects Subject Detail 2b. Aircraft Knowledge 2c. Flight Performance & Planning 2d. Meteorology 2e. Navigation Principles of operation of glider vario and navigation instruments Operating limitations of gliders Flying with flaps Relevant operational information described in the flight manual or other relevant documents Effects of carrying additional ballast on performance and decisions on when to dump it including launching ‘heavy’ Lateral and longitudinal mass and balance considerations Identifying good and bad areas from a topographical map Maximum performance preparation and data knowledge Calculating from simple principles cloud base, thermal strength, with changing weather conditions in the absence of detailed weather forecasting Practical aspects of visual air navigation techniques with regard to navigating via best energy lines to maintain or achieve planned track and route 2f. Operational Procedures 2g. Principles of Soaring Sporting Code. Advantageous route planning (topography, weather, landable sites) Principles of thermal centreing 3a. Advanced Gliding Flight Training Experience Objective 1 Making the best use of spare height after a winch or aero-tow launch 2 Judging distances 3 To be able to interpret what the air is doing in a thermal. 4 Bubble thermals 5 Lapse rates 6 Column thermals and stronger thermals 7 Cloud appreciation 8 Blue days 9 Inversions 10 Hot spots 11 Thermal triggers 12 Centreing 13 Cloud shadow effects 14 Types of sink 15 Rain/storms and reverse thermals 16 Streeting 17 Turning tightly 18 Atkinson’s string theory 19 Sea breeze 20 Dolphin Specific details Pre launch decision to make best use from launch height Interpolating from known distances and calculating gliding range to thermals Recognising the indications crossing through a thermal, vario, ASI, feel and string Recognising bubble thermals by cloud activity, calculating there life and connecting with them Increased/decreased ROC, requirement to turn tighter in stronger thermals Recognising the development of column thermals and connecting with them Identifying strongest clouds and strongest areas from abeam and below Identifying thermal sources on a blue day and finding the thermals including wisps Climbing to the inversion and recognising it, wisps Size. Shape, colour, slope, sun angle, wind breaks etc. Ground features – physical barriers, cold barriers Different techniques Following sun/cloud shadow boundaries Identifying the thermal sink v cloud evaporation – sink slugs Working on the edge of rain or snow showers Identifying the type of street and working them Achieving minimum radius turns Responding to the string to centre in thermals Running the sea breezes Pros and cons including anti dolphin 21 Mass or span 22 C of G 23 Final glides 24 Electronic Navigation 25 Speed to fly head/tail winds 26 Fixed Turn point tasks 27 Enhanced turning point tasks 28 Assigned Area tasks 29 Self Tasking 30 Pairs flying Theory Flying at different C of G positions (fin ballast) However these are flown, nothing marginal! Electronic vario and nav aids Stable air mini task. 6km out and return Turning for certificate claims (sector) and ½ km barrels Practical use of enhanced TP options Practical flexibility of good weather tasks Preparing your own Cross Countries Thorough briefings to satisfy aims.