Updates to 11th, 12th & 13th editions
RADIO
In the Air Navigation Order changed when you need a FRTOL (radio operator's licence). It now states that you need a licence if you communicate not just with an Air Traffic Control Unit but also with a flight information or air/ground service unit. Until then, you could legally chat to anyone who wasn’t ATC eg useful people like parachute drop zones or the operators of an airstrip. You could ignore this on the grounds of common sense, though an even better course would be to get a radio operator's licence.
From 1 January 2018, all aircraft, that are equipped with radios, must be capable of a 8.33 kHz channel spacing. Aircraft flying above FL195 must have this capability already.
Since 2012 anyone using the Radio suffix in their call sign must have a Certificate of Competence after passing an exam. To use, for example, "Wittering Glider Base" on a gliding frequency or one licensed to use the suffix 'Glider Base' no qualification or certificate is required. Again no instructions may be passed: only information.
TRANSITION ALTITUDE
The transition altitude is now at 6000ft throughout the southeast of England and will probably be at 5,000 or 6,000 ft for the whole country soon. This means that the bases of some low controlled airspace that had previously been expressed as a flight level are now expressed as an altitude. For example FL45 would no longer be relevant. Any airspace that was defined by FL45 would be defined by 4500 feet altitude. Other countries have different transition altitudes.
MATZ
The CAA "strongly recommends" that you call on the published frequency at least 5 minutes’ flying time before you expect to enter the MATZ, and comply with requests from ATC.
BUYING A GLIDER
Before deciding on what type of aircraft to buy, you should first check with your CFI to ensure it is a suitable type for someone of your experience. If it is unusual, check whether the model is type-approved. Both the CAA and EASA have web-sites of approved types. The BGA will provide much useful information. All EASA aircraft must be registered with the CAA and issued with an EASA non-expiring Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) and Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). Only specified vintage gliders, known as Annex II sailplanes, are eligible for BGA registration and issue of a BGA C of A. It is strongly recommended that a BGA inspector or licensed engineer surveys the aircraft and its records before you buy it. If the glider is CAA-registered (has a G- registration), both parties are required by law to notify the CAA and change the registration details within 28 days. Details are on the back of the registration document. The CAA make a charge each time there is a change in ownership and so syndicates are advised to register in the name of a trustee to avoid regular fees when the syndicate changes. If you are buying or selling either an EASA or an Annex II aircraft you should also advise the BGA about changes of ownership. This allows the BGA to send important such as airworthiness information and ARC reminders.
WEATHER
An excellent free service which repays a little study is RASP. The Stratus version has a useful tutorial on skew T diagrams and the convective boundary layer.
LICENSING
There will be two licences: an EASA LAPL(S) (Light Aircraft Pilot Licence Sailplane) and an EASA SPL (Sailplane Pilot Licence). There is no difference in the training requirements, but the holders of an SPL will be required to hold an EASA Class 2 medical certificate, rather than an EASA GP medical certificate. The only significant additional privilege enjoyed by an SPL holder over a LAPL(S) holder is being permitted to operate for remuneration in a commercial operation. The SPL is also designed to be used anywhere in the world. Club gliding is non-commercial activity and therefore it is anticipated that a LAPL(S) will suit most pilots.
The age for solo has changed to 14 but note that you have to be 16 to get the Bronze Badge with cross country endorsement.
OXYGEN
There are claims that there is a measurable reduction in performance above 8,000 feet without additional oxygen, so the legal limits are not a guarantee that you will be unaffected by a lack of oxygen at lower altitudes.
In the Air Navigation Order changed when you need a FRTOL (radio operator's licence). It now states that you need a licence if you communicate not just with an Air Traffic Control Unit but also with a flight information or air/ground service unit. Until then, you could legally chat to anyone who wasn’t ATC eg useful people like parachute drop zones or the operators of an airstrip. You could ignore this on the grounds of common sense, though an even better course would be to get a radio operator's licence.
From 1 January 2018, all aircraft, that are equipped with radios, must be capable of a 8.33 kHz channel spacing. Aircraft flying above FL195 must have this capability already.
Since 2012 anyone using the Radio suffix in their call sign must have a Certificate of Competence after passing an exam. To use, for example, "Wittering Glider Base" on a gliding frequency or one licensed to use the suffix 'Glider Base' no qualification or certificate is required. Again no instructions may be passed: only information.
TRANSITION ALTITUDE
The transition altitude is now at 6000ft throughout the southeast of England and will probably be at 5,000 or 6,000 ft for the whole country soon. This means that the bases of some low controlled airspace that had previously been expressed as a flight level are now expressed as an altitude. For example FL45 would no longer be relevant. Any airspace that was defined by FL45 would be defined by 4500 feet altitude. Other countries have different transition altitudes.
MATZ
The CAA "strongly recommends" that you call on the published frequency at least 5 minutes’ flying time before you expect to enter the MATZ, and comply with requests from ATC.
BUYING A GLIDER
Before deciding on what type of aircraft to buy, you should first check with your CFI to ensure it is a suitable type for someone of your experience. If it is unusual, check whether the model is type-approved. Both the CAA and EASA have web-sites of approved types. The BGA will provide much useful information. All EASA aircraft must be registered with the CAA and issued with an EASA non-expiring Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) and Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). Only specified vintage gliders, known as Annex II sailplanes, are eligible for BGA registration and issue of a BGA C of A. It is strongly recommended that a BGA inspector or licensed engineer surveys the aircraft and its records before you buy it. If the glider is CAA-registered (has a G- registration), both parties are required by law to notify the CAA and change the registration details within 28 days. Details are on the back of the registration document. The CAA make a charge each time there is a change in ownership and so syndicates are advised to register in the name of a trustee to avoid regular fees when the syndicate changes. If you are buying or selling either an EASA or an Annex II aircraft you should also advise the BGA about changes of ownership. This allows the BGA to send important such as airworthiness information and ARC reminders.
WEATHER
An excellent free service which repays a little study is RASP. The Stratus version has a useful tutorial on skew T diagrams and the convective boundary layer.
LICENSING
There will be two licences: an EASA LAPL(S) (Light Aircraft Pilot Licence Sailplane) and an EASA SPL (Sailplane Pilot Licence). There is no difference in the training requirements, but the holders of an SPL will be required to hold an EASA Class 2 medical certificate, rather than an EASA GP medical certificate. The only significant additional privilege enjoyed by an SPL holder over a LAPL(S) holder is being permitted to operate for remuneration in a commercial operation. The SPL is also designed to be used anywhere in the world. Club gliding is non-commercial activity and therefore it is anticipated that a LAPL(S) will suit most pilots.
The age for solo has changed to 14 but note that you have to be 16 to get the Bronze Badge with cross country endorsement.
OXYGEN
There are claims that there is a measurable reduction in performance above 8,000 feet without additional oxygen, so the legal limits are not a guarantee that you will be unaffected by a lack of oxygen at lower altitudes.
