Glider pilot license

A glider pilot's license is a private pilot's license, the right to use a glider own responsibility. In Europe, the standards for by the Joint Aviation Authorities ( JAA) are unified.

Situation in Germany

Legislation in the Federal Republic of Germany is the Regulation on aviation personnel.

Earlier regulations

By 2003, the general was " pilot's license pilot license private pilot leader" ( engl. private pilot license, PPL). They needed supplementary sheets for specific categories of aircraft: PPL -C for gliders, PPL -B for motorized gliders and motor gliders and PPL -A for airplanes. You could make the type of training for this purpose and acquire the supplementary sheets separately.

New regulations since the introduction of JAR -FCL in Germany

With the European harmonization of JAR -FCL (English Joint Aviation Requirements - Flight Crew Licensing) also changed the licensing requirements for glider pilots, although the JAA have any rules for gliding set, which is further regulated strictly national. The German glider pilot license has since been known Glider Pilot License (GPL). The GPL is an unlimited time, but the pilot must be within the last 24 months at least 25 take-offs and landings made ​​, otherwise it may not exercise the rights of its license. Expected in April 2012 to be replaced, the current national license through a Europe-wide glider pilot license (English Sailplane Pilot License SPL).

The end of the training

To obtain the glider pilot's license, one of the flight surgeon must certify the airworthiness of the latest before the first solo flight. At the initial examination of the flight surgeon may also require an ophthalmologist and an ENT Medical Examination. However, it is useful to make these examinations at the beginning of training. Legally required to purchase a glider certificate are at least 60 starts and 25 flight hours in the last 4 years, and there are discounts at a faster training. In commercial flight training schools can be less complete than in clubs. In the numerous aero clubs for the training takes longer since you usually flown on weekends only, but is much cheaper by voluntary workers instructor. Depending on the weather, talent and private time budget you can expect a training period of one to two years there.

The training can be started at age 14. To be allowed to fly alone, the student must be verified by a second flight instructor. If he agrees, the student must fly alone under the supervision of a flight instructor in the area of the airfield.

In the formation of the German Aero Club, there are different sections: A, B, C, and preparing for cross-country flights.

Section A (beginner training)

The student learns how the plane behaves when rudder deflections what he has to do to maintain your direction and speed, and are able to fly like curves. He has mastered the basics, it goes on with takeoff and landing. In parallel, there is a theoretical training. At the end of this section is the first solo flight. To be allowed to fly alone, the student must be verified by a second flight instructor. If he agrees, the student three circuits in the solo flight is required to present clean, and the student may fly in the further training with flight order and under the supervision of a flight instructor in the area of the airfield alone.

Section B

Here the student builds his skills in solo flights and flights with a flight instructor continued. The curves are flown steeper and faster. Here the students have also learns how to recognize and use thermals. At the end of this section is again a small examination in which the student pilot must demonstrate his skills learned in three flights. Currently 3 Place rounds on solo flight, circling with 30 degrees of bank, rolling about the longitudinal axis and landing in the target field are required 50x200m for the B test.

Section C

In this section, we particularly around thermalling. The student must provide a 30 -minute thermal flight in solo flight. He also learns the sideslip. Another highlight is the conversion to a single-seat aircraft. At the end of the section again with curve changes and landing in side slip are three circuits, this time ( Slip).

Preparation for cross-country flights

Now the student is flying with a flight instructor for the first time planned from the airfield away. It must be done at least two overland admissions and a forced landing exercise with teachers. With passed a theory test for GPL and completion of this section, the student pilot must carry a written contract flight flights out of sight of the flight instructor. The aim is to conduct a cross-country flight of at least 50 km in solo flight. The 50- km - flight can be replaced by a 100 - km - haul flight with an instructor.

Theory test

The theory test is in the subjects taken Meteorology, Air Law, Human Performance, Navigation, Operational Procedures, aerodynamics, technology of the country's aviation authority. For the whole theory test, a 12 -month period ( LuftPersV § 128 (10 ) ) is observed. The test of skills in the aeronautical service is forth by the law, but will not be accepted by all aviation authorities. The test is considered Passed when each subject has been passed with at least 75 %. A balancing of the fan is not possible. The 7 subjects are tested separately and can, if they are not passed, be repeated individually. So you do not repeat the whole theory test in this case. After passing the theory test you have 2 years to make the practical exam.

Practical test

If the theoretical ( theory test ) and practical (A / B / C) were part, you may request an inspector who takes the practical test on training airfield. In three circuits of the license candidate with the examiner maneuvers such as high-speed flight, curve changes, Raised drive curve, roller exercise and sideslip, must depart. The testing program is left to the auditor.

Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate

To exercise the aeronautical radio requires a radio operator's certificate. If one possesses no Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate, the appropriate skills need to be demonstrated as part of the theory test for gliding license. In this case, however, we might not enter any airspace classes C and D. There are two different products. For the purchase of a (sailing ) flying license any of the two possible aeronautical products is sufficient:

BZF II - Restricted air operator's certificate for the implementation of the aeronautical radio in German language. It is e.g. required for flights in Germany.

BZF I - Restricted air operator's certificate for the implementation of the aeronautical radio in English and German language. It is e.g. required for international flights.

Situation in Austria

In Austria, the glider pilot license is also referred to as GPL. At the beginning of training, a student pilot ID at the Austrian Aero Club must be requested. Once you have 20-30 starts with a flight instructor behind, followed 30 solo flights, one of which may be the last three already the practical test flights ( The number of flights up to the first solo depend on the students and the instructors for their assessment of defined).

Overall, glider flights of at least 6 hours duration and of these at least 3 hours and 30 starts alone on board to graduate (within the last 24 months). Further still missing the theoretical exam (theory lessons in meteorology, general aircraft customer, navigation, aerodynamics, Human Performance, flight planning and flight operations procedures, aviation law ), a threat briefing and depending on the area also has a slope or wall briefing for glider pilot license. The training ends with the basic entitlement, which entitled the sole fly from one-or two -seater gliders, but not take away from the passengers. The extended basic authorization ( fly with passengers ) can be obtained by glider flights of 20 hours and 20 landings with two - or more -seater gliders under the supervision of a sailing instructor (within the last 24 months).

The basic authorization includes the authority for those startup type with which the training was completed. These can be prepared relief and own engine start, winch or motor vehicle starting, running Aero Tow, rubber rope or rolling start. These permissions for start types can be obtained subsequently on board ( within the last 24 months), theory lessons and additional tests for each launch method by 10 landings under the supervision of a sailing instructor alone.

Situation in Switzerland

In Switzerland, the glider pilot's license is officially called " glider card". One gets this by a theoretical and practical examination. We require practical training of at least 15 flight hours, of which at least 5 hours of flight and 20 landings to prove alone on board. The student pilot has also demonstrated by means of a control sheet that he obtained the prescribed practical training by a duly qualified glider instructor, that is has carried out certain prescribed exercises. These exercises are not fixed by law, but are in a transfer of the FOCA. These exercises include a cross-country flight with an instructor and a solo flight of at least 2 hours duration.

Prerequisite for admission to the examination the existence of an aeromedical initial examination of Class 2 in accordance with JAR -FCL 2 Since 1980, required no periodic follow-up studies more after the first examination.

The glider pass allows flights with gliders alone on board. Switzerland has the following enhancements to the glider ID:

• Expansion for passenger flights; Prerequisite: 30 hours of flight time as PIC and practical examination
• Extension for instrument flight ( cloud flying ); Prerequisite: 50 hours of flight time as PIC, 6 hours of practical training and theoretical and practical examination
• Extension for basic aerobatics (only positive maneuvers, no roles ); Prerequisite: Practical examination consisting of two test flights
• Extension for higher aerobatics; Prerequisite: extension for basic aerobatics training through authorized flight instructor, no trial
• Extension for touring motor glider; Prerequisite: Theoretical powered flight test and a practical training consisting of at least 5 hours of flight and 20 landings and prescribed exercises, including landings on foreign courts, a cross-country flight of at least 270 km alone on board and an introduction to the alpine conditions.

Eligibility for the various launch methods (aircraft drag, wind drag and self start), no extension, but the appropriate training is confirmed by a flight instructor in the flight log.

Also, the training for instructors is possible.