If you have a BGA Gliding Certificate with sailplane towing privilege you can convert this
rating to a Part FCL licence.
If you hold an existing UK issued Flight Crew licence which has not already been converted to a
Part-FCL licence, then the conversion process will take place when you apply for the sailplane
towing rating.
Please check our information on licence conversions for details of
the application form and supporting information that we require. Ratings will be granted for
aeroplanes, TMGs or both according to the information that you provide. When applying please
confirm whether you are applying to tow gliders in an aeroplane, TMG or both.
The UK CAA have deferred the requirement to hold this rating until 8 April 2018.
Pre-Requisites
The sailplane towing standards in the UK, established by the BGA, are competency based. These
are considered equivalent to those of Part-FCL, particularly in respect of the flying experience
and theoretical knowledge requirements.
See the Comparison Tables in Section 4 of CAP 804 for details.
- The differences shown in the Comparison Table are reflected in the conversion
requirements.
- Ratings will be granted for aeroplanes or TMGs according to the information you provide.
A Part-FCL Sailplane Towing Rating will be granted to pilots who:
- Convert their UK issued licence to a Part FCL licence before 8 April 2018.
- Have qualified to tow through a BGA gliding club, and show logbook evidence of the following:
- at least 30 hours of flight time as PIC and 60 take-offs and landings in aeroplanes, if the
activity is to be carried out in aeroplane, or in TMG, if the activity is to be carried out in
TMGs, completed after the issue of the UK licence.
- at least 10 flights as PIC towing a sailplane in an Aeroplane at a BGA Club. The Sailplane
Towing Rating will be restricted to Aeroplanes only.
- at least 10 flights as PIC towing a sailplane in a TMG at a BGA Club. The Sailplane Towing
Rating will be restricted to TMG’s only.
Once the Sailplane Towing rating has been endorsed on to a Part-FCL licence you cannot begin
towing until you meet the requirements shown in FCL 805(e), Section 4. If you don't meet these
requirements, you must first complete the missing tows with an instructor.
Up until 8 April 2018, the supervising instructor can be the nominated Chief Tug Pilot at the
Gliding Club. To take advantage of our conversion requirements to add a sailplane rowing rating to your aeroplane licence, you must have been exercising the privileges before 8 April 2018.
Cost
The fee will vary according to your circumstances. For example, whether you already hold a UK
licence, and whether that licence has already been converted to an EASA-FCL licence, or if your
application will be made at the same time as applying for something else.
Validity period
The sailplane towing rating does not have a validity period.
You will need to provide
- Application form SRG 1104 if applying
at the time of licence conversion. If applying at any other time SRG 2157
- Certified copy of the applicants Certificate of Revalidation page from licence
- Evidence showing the conversion requirements have been met as detailed above
- In addition applicants applying on the basis of a conversion must provide any documentation as
stated in the conversion requirements as detailed in CAP804, Section 4, part P
- Please ensure that you have scanned copies of any supporting documents as the will need to be
attached to your online application
How to apply
Once all of the requirements above have been met, the application should be submitted by post or
in person to the address below.
Contact us
Shared Services
Civil Aviation Authority
Aviation House
Gatwick Airport South
West Sussex RH6 0YR
Email: fclweb@caa.co.uk