Gliding Badges and Diplomas Requirements BGA Jan 15
GLIDING BADGES AND DIPLOMAS REQUIREMENTS
Contents:
1. General 2. Silver 3. Diploma - 100 km 4. Gold 5. Diamonds 6. Badges and Diplomas – 750km+ 7. Official Observers
1. General
FAI and BGA Sport Badges and Diplomas include;
a) Silver Badge b) Gold Badge c) Diamonds d) Distance Badges & Diplomas
All badges are recorded on the BGA Gliding Certificate.
The definitive rules for the FAI Badge and Diploma claims are contained in the FAI Sporting Code. The Sporting Code should be consulted for requirements for logger and barograph evidence for FAI badge tests and diplomas.
The candidate must be alone in the aircraft for each test, except for the UK 750 km and UK 1,000 km Two-seater Diplomas. FAI badge attempts may be flown in a motor glider, provided there is proof that the engine was stopped after launch and not re-started during the period of the attempt.
Any number of tests may be completed on any flight. Application for badges and diplomas must be made on the approved form and where required, flight evidence must be submitted in an approved format.
All flights using GPS data to verify turning points must be pre-declared. A declaration is not required for badge duration and gain of height badge flights that use only a GPS position recorder, a barograph or the barograph part of a flight recorder for evidence. All record flights require a declaration.
For distance and goal flights the loss of height between the start point (release height or logged point in the start zone) and the finish point (landing point, logged point in the finish zone or other suitable logged point chosen post flight) must not exceed 1% of the total distance flown with a maximum height loss of 1000m.
GPS position recorders are allowed for Silver and Gold badge legs. They record GPS altitude rather than pressure altitude. When position recorders are used to measure height gains or losses a 100metre penalty will be applied to the gain or loss, for example a silver height gain would need to be at least 1100metres when measured by GPS altitude.

Gliding Badges and Diplomas Requirements BGA Jan 15
2. Silver Badge
Requirements; a) A duration flight of not less than 5 hours from release to landing b) A distance flight of not less than 50 km (31.07 Statute miles) made as either a flight of at least 50km in a straight line or a flight round a course flight where one leg is of 50km or more c) A height gain of at least 1,000 metres (3,281 feet)
3. 100 km Diploma (UK only award)
Requirements; The 100 km. Diploma consists of 2 parts which can be claimed individually or together; a) Completion of a 100 km closed circuit flight, set either as a triangle or as an out-and– return b) Completion of a similar flight to that above, but at a minimum handicapped speed of 65 km per hour. The handicap list from the current Competition Handbook is to be used
Flights must take place within Europe under the supervision of a BGA Official Observer.
4. Gold Badge
Requirements; a) A duration flight of not less than 5 hours from release to landing unless this has already been done as a silver duration. b) A distance flight of not less than 300 km (186.4 Statute miles). This may be made as either a flight in a straight line, or a flight round up to 3 turn points. The turn points may be rounded in any order or not at all but each may only be turned once. c) A gain of height of not less than 3,000 metres (9,843 feet)
5. Diamonds
Requirements; a) A goal flight of not less than 300 km (186.4 Statute miles) flight flown over an out and return or triangular course. b) A distance flight of not less than 500 km (310.7 Statute miles) - requirements as for Gold Distance. c) A gain of height of not less than 5,000 metres (16,405 feet).
Diamonds may only be worn on Silver or Gold Badges.
6. FAI Badges & Diplomas for flights of 750km and more
The FAI awards diplomas for distance flights of 750km and upwards in increments of 250 km. Requirements are as for Gold Distance.
750 km and 1000km Two-Seat Diplomas (UK only award)
A distance flight of not less than 750 km, starting in the UK and flown, respectively, either solo or with two pilots. Requirements as for Gold Distance.

Gliding Badges and Diplomas Requirements BGA Jan 15
7. Official Observers
BGA Official Observers are trusted and independent witnesses, authorised by the BGA to observe and verify details of flights qualifying for badges, records and championships in accordance with the regulations of the FAI and BGA.
An Official Observer may not act in such capacity for any flight in which he is pilot or passenger.
Instructors, holders of Silver badges or a higher qualification, or persons actively connected with gliding for the previous three years are eligible for appointment.
Applications on the appropriate form must carry the recommendation of the Chairman or CFI of the club, or the Officer Commanding of the Air Cadet Squadron, concerned. Applicants have to verify that they are familiar with the current version of the FAI Sporting Code.
End.