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Sailplanes

SPL.

Privileges and conditions

An SPL will allow you to act as pilot in command (PIC) on sailplanes and powered sailplanes. To fly a touring motor glider (TMG), you must also comply with the requirements detailed in SFCL.150.

You can only carry passengers when you comply with point SFCL.160(e); and have completed after the issue of the SPL, at least 10 hours of flight time or 30 launches as PIC after your licence has been issued and, additionally, one training flight during which holders shall demonstrate to an FI(S) the competence required for the carriage of passengers; 

You cannot operate commercially, or receive any kind of payment, until you:

  1. Are 18 years of age or over
  2. Have completed 75 hours of flight time or 200 launches, after your licence has been issued

The exception to this is for holders of a SPL with instructor or examiner privileges, who can be paid for the following:

  1. Flight instruction
  2. Conducting skill tests and proficiency checks
  3. The training, testing and checking for the privileges, ratings and certificates attached to an SPL 

Recency requirements

a) Sailplanes, excluding TMGs SPL holders shall exercise SPL privileges, excluding TMGs, only if in the last 24 months before the planned flight they: 

  1. completed, on sailplanes, at least five hours of flight time as PIC or flying dual or solo under the supervision of an FI(S), including, on sailplanes, excluding TMGs, at least:
    1. 15 launches; and
    2. two training flights with an FI(S); or
  2. passed a proficiency check with an FE(S) on a sailplane, excluding TMGs; the proficiency check shall be based on the skill test for SPL. 

b) TMGs SPL holders shall exercise their TMG privileges only if in the last 24 months before the planned flight they:

  1. completed at least 12 hours of flight time as PIC or flying dual or solo under the supervision of an FI(S), including, on TMGs, at least:
    1. six hours flight time; 
    2. 12 take-offs and landings; and
    3. a training flight of at least one hour total flight time with an instructor; or
  2. passed a proficiency check with an examiner; the proficiency check shall be based on the skill test as specified in point SFCL.150(b)(2). 

c) SPL holders with privileges to fly on TMGs who also hold a licence including the privileges to fly on TMGs in accordance with the provisions of Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 shall be exempted from complying with paragraph (b). 

Experience requirements and crediting

a) Applicants for an SPL shall complete a training course at an ATO, a DTO or a Gliding Club.  The course shall be tailored to the privileges sought and shall include: 

  1. theoretical knowledge as specified in point SFCL.135; 
  2. at least 15 hours of flight instruction in sailplanes, including at least: 
    1. 10 hours of dual flight instruction which shall include the dual flight instruction as specified in paragraphs (iv)(A) or (v)(A), as applicable; 
    2. two hours of supervised solo flight time; 
    3. 45 launches or take-offs and landings; 
    4. if privileges for sailplanes, excluding TMGs, are sought, at least seven hours of flight instruction in sailplanes, excluding TMGs, and including at least: 

A) three hours of dual flight instruction;

B) either:

  1. one solo cross-country flight of at least 50 km (27 NM); or
  2. b. one dual cross-country flight of at least 100 km (55 NM) which, by way of derogation from paragraph (2)(iv), may be completed in a TMG; 

v. if privileges for TMGs are sought, at least six hours of flight instruction in TMGs, including at least: 

A) four hours of dual flight instruction;

B) one solo cross-country flight of at least 150 km (80 NM) in a TMG, during which one full-stop landing at an aerodrome different from the aerodrome of departure shall be performed. 

  1. Applicants who hold a pilot licence for another category of aircraft, with the exception of balloons licence, shall be credited with 10 % of total flight time as PIC on such aircraft and up to a maximum of seven hours. The amount of credit given shall in any case: 
    1. not include the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2)(ii), (a)(2)(iv)(B) and (a)(2)(v)(B); and 
    2. with regard to paragraph (a)(2)(iii), not exceed 10 launches or take-offs and landings. 

SPL crediting if you hold another type of licence

If you hold a pilot’s licence for another type of aircraft, except balloons, you will be credited with 10% of your total flight time as PIC up to a maximum of 7 hours. You will still need to complete the 2 hours of supervised solo flight time, 45 launches and landings and 1 solo cross-country flight of at least 50 km (27 NM) or 1 dual cross-country flight of at least 100 km (55 NM), as the credited flight time cannot be counted towards this requirement. 

If you are not applying for an SPL via the British Gliding Association, you will need to send us a completed application form and some other documents to apply for an SPL.

You must have already completed a training course at an ATO/DTO or Gliding Club.

For ICAO SPL conversions see Third Country Licence conversion requirements from 1 January 2023

Application form

To apply for a SPL, use form SRG 1105S.

What to include with your form

As well as your completed application form, you will need to send us the following documentation:

  • Proof of identity (certified copy of 1 of the following)
    • passport
    • photographic driving licence
  • Copy of your Class 1, Class 2 or LAPL medical certificate or Pilot Medical Declaration.
  • Your original logbook(s) or certified copies of all relevant pages
  • Examiner's skill test report form

How to get copies of your documents certified

How to submit your application

Send your completed application form and supporting documentation to the following email address:

apply@caa.co.uk

Secure courier

The CAA strongly recommends you use our secure courier service to have your documents returned to you. More information about our secure courier service

Additional documentation

If you are applying on the basis of:

you will need to send us additional documentation along with your application. See the Guidance on documentation section.

Licence fees and costs

See our Licence costs section.

Please refer to the British Gliding Association for information on gliding training and to find your local club. https://www.gliding.co.uk/.  

Alternatively please refer to the following page for information on training facilities Finding a flight school or examiner | UK Civil Aviation Authority. 

All relevant regulations including the UK Sailplane Regulations can be found within the UK CAA Aviation Regulatory Library. 

UK Regulations | UK Civil Aviation Authority