Inspector Guidance BGA Feb 2015
INSPECTOR GUIDANCE
The BGA operates a scheme where under its Part M subpart F approval, suitably experienced and qualified people can become BGA inspectors with privileges to certify maintenance, repairs and inspections on sailplanes, self-sustainer (turbo) sailplanes, motor gliders, self-launching sailplanes and towing aeroplanes within the BGA Airworthiness Organisation.
Other than for inspecting towing aeroplane, no formal training is required. The applicant must have a minimum four years suitable on the job training and experience relevant to the particular authorisations applied for. The detail is described in the BGA document ‘Specific Experience Tasks for BGA Inspector Authorisations’. Any training courses attended or qualifications achieved would be regarded as a bonus and may in some cases reduce some of the requirements for on the job training.
Contents:
1. How to become an inspector 2. How is a lapsed BGA Inspector authorisation renewed? 3. What inspector ratings are available? 4. How is an inspector authorisation upgraded? 5. What is the difference between an Ordinary Inspector and a Senior Inspector? 6. What liability insurance does the BGA hold that covers BGA inspector authorisation
activity? 7. How is an inspector authorisation kept current? 8. Is any continuation training required? 9. What is the Part 66 licence? 10. Will the new EASA Part 66 licence affect BGA inspectors? 11. When will the Part 66 licence take effect? 12. As a BGA inspector, will I be able to gain a Part 66 licence? 13. Once the Part 66 licence is introduced will I still need a BGA inspector authorisation? 14. Where can a BGA inspector turn for support?
1. How to become an Inspector
An applicant will need to be at least 18 years of age.
The first step to becoming a BGA inspector is to gain the experience required. This will usually be achieved by assisting in carrying out annual inspections, general maintenance and repairs to sailplanes. The BGA recommend that you keep a diary or log book detailing the jobs that you have been involved with, this will greatly assist you when it is time to complete the application form. The Personal Experience Record form BGA 220 is suitable.
The approval process is in part subjective. An applicant BGA inspector needs to have an appropriate level of relevant knowledge and a reasonable level of experience. Advice can be sought from another inspector on whether or not you have sufficient experience to support an application.
It is almost certain that study will be required. Recommended reference publications include:
 BGA Exposition  BGA Airworthiness and Maintenance Procedures (AMP) manual

Inspector Guidance BGA Feb 2015
 EASA Part M  FAA Aircraft Inspection and Repair manual AC43-13  Standard repairs to gliders  BGA Laws and Rules  BGA Compendium  Glider maintenance and repair manuals (available from glider manufacturers)
Some applicants will have other aviation maintenance experience (LAA, BMAA, airline, military) which can offset some of the requirements. However, all applicants will need some sailplane maintenance experience.
Once an applicant is confident that they have gained enough experience, they should submit a completed application form BGA 221 plus any supporting detail to the BGA office. Note that two supporting signatures are required, one of which must be a current BGA inspector. The other signature is likely to be provided by a club official.
The application is assessed in confidence and if the applicant meets the requirements, he/she will be invited to attend a technical interview at a mutually convenient date and location.
On completion of the interview, applicants are notified of the outcome and advised on next steps.
The Inspector authorisation certificate is issued by the BGA on receipt of the fee.
2. How is a lapsed BGA Inspector authorisation renewed?
If your inspector authorisation lapsed less than a year ago, please complete the normal inspector renewal form and send to the BGA with the renewal fee. If your authorisation has been lapsed for more than a year, please complete an inspector application form (stating your previous inspector number) together with personal experience sheets detailing at least six months applicable maintenance experience within the past two years. Send your application to the BGA office and, after review, if satisfactory, you will be asked for the renewal fee. In both cases your BGA continuation training must be indate to renew a lapsed authorisation.
Please note: Renewing your authorisation does not automatically renew a lapsed ARC Signatory endorsement. If your ARC Signatory has lapsed (less than 2 ARC renewals in the past 2 years) you will be required to carry out an Airworthiness Review under supervision of the CTO or RTO once your inspector authorisation has been renewed.
3. What inspector ratings are available?
 Glider Inspector (AF)  Wood Repair (WR)  Composite Repair (CR)  Metal (skin) Repair (MR)  Self Sustaining Sailplane (SS)  Powered Sailplane & Motor Glider (MG)  Electric Powerplant (EP)  Jet Powerplant (JP)  Radio Engineer (RE)

Inspector Guidance BGA Feb 2015
 Tug Inspector (TG)  Senior Tug Inspector (ST)  Engine Overhaul (EO)  Chief Engineer/ARC signatory (CE)
4. How is an inspector authorisation upgraded?
Complete BGA Form 221 and submit to the BGA office with the required supporting information.
5. What is the difference between an Ordinary Inspector and a Senior Inspector?
A Senior Inspector is authorised to certify major repairs including alignment and jigging of the wing, fuselage or aerofoil surface. The authorisation is signified by a glider inspector code with an '/A/' in the number and, for senior tug inspectors, by a “ST” rating.
6. What liability insurance does the BGA hold that covers BGA inspector authorisation activity?
The BGA maintains an aviation risk insurance policy that insures the BGA including its inspectors in respect of activities and responsibilities in connection with the airworthiness of gliders, motor gliders and tugs that are recorded as being within the BGA airworthiness organisation. The BGA recommend that professional maintainers or repairers should hold individual professional indemnity insurance. Note that the BGA policy is only applicable to inspectors residing in the United Kingdom. The BGA recommends that if you maintain aircraft in a professional capacity, you obtain additional professional indemnity insurance to cover product liability, hangar keepers and general risks. If you employ anyone (not necessarily paying them) you may need employer’s liability insurance. You should always seek broker advice regarding any aspect of insurance.
7. How to keep a BGA inspector authorisation current
A BGA inspector authorisation expires annually on 30th September. To renew, you must reapply using a renewal form that contains a self-certification statement. Inspectors are notified by email in plenty of time prior to the authorisation expiring.
8. Is any continuation training required?
Yes - as a BGA inspector you must attend continuation training at five year intervals. On occasions, the BGA runs other training for specific authorisations.
9. What is the Part 66 licence?
The EASA Part 66 license if the general licence issued to maintenance engineers that allows them to certify aircraft maintenance, repairs and inspections. The license is divided into various categories A, B1, B2, B3 and C; these are mainly for large and general aviation aircraft certification rather than for sailplanes or balloons. However, in 2012 EASA, published a Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) to introduce a new 'L' licence to cover ELA aircraft including sailplanes, powered sailplanes and balloons.

Inspector Guidance BGA Feb 2015
10. Will the new EASA Part 66 licence affect BGA inspectors?
Very likely as it is EASA’s intention that all certification of EASA aircraft will be carried out by Part 66 licensed personnel. The BGA is close to this subject and aims to establish the optimum position for gliding.
11. When will the Part 66 licence take effect?
The implementation date has not been announced, Indications are that rules may apply from around 2018.
12. As a BGA inspector, will I be able to gain a Part 66 licence?
The BGA is discussing with the CAA protected conversion rights (grandfather rights) for existing BGA inspectors to enable them to obtain to a Part 66 licence.
13. Once the Part 66 licence is introduced will I still need a BGA inspector authorisation?
Some form of BGA authorisation will be needed for Annex II glider certification and to allow ARC privileges and the provision of support under the BGA subpart F organisation. BGA inspector authorisation will also be needed to benefit from the BGA inspector liability insurance cover. The final shape of this will depend on the outcome of Part 66 deliberations.
14. Where does a BGA inspector turn for support? There is a huge amount of supporting information on the BGA website. The BGA Chief Technical Officer (CTO) is effectively the BGA’s chief inspector. He is assisted by a number of Regional Technical Officers (RTO). The CTO and RTO’s can be contacted through the BGA office. End.