SFCL Conversion – Important

To Club CFIs and Chairmen

Mark

As you are aware, the SFCL rules applicable after 30th September 2025 require the pilot in command of a Part 21 sailplane or powered sailplane to hold a Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL). The exception is where the pilot in command is acting as a student pilot. ‘SFCL.125 SPL’ details how student pilots may not fly as pilot in command (solo) unless authorised to do so and supervised by a Flight Instructor (Sailplanes).

Based on a recent survey of club CFIs, we believe there are some 1500 pilots who can apply who have yet to apply for an SPL.

Inevitably during a period of change, half-truths and misinformation emerge – which is unsurprising as not everyone engages with the available communications channels whether that’s club or BGA-wide.

A recent exchange during a BGA seminar highlighted that at a small number of clubs, several pilots who can hold an SPL appear to have expressed a view that they don’t need to hold an SPL as they can continue to fly as pilot in command (solo) in Part 21 gliders as a student pilot under the authority and supervision of an instructor. Pilots who are taking this approach should consider and understand what flying under the authority and supervision of an instructor means for them and the instructor, and ultimately what an instructor is willing to authorise and supervise. For example, if a student pilot infringes airspace, the authorising and supervising instructor will be responsible and will be involved in any CAA enforcement/other actions that follows; it is the instructors name, reputation, SPL, and instructor certificate that are at risk. There are many other similar considerations for an authorising/supervising instructor. It is highly unlikely that any instructor will be willing to take responsibility for a pilot who can apply for an SPL but cannot be bothered to obtain an SPL.

Please be proactive in encouraging all your club pilots who can apply for an SPL to do so ahead of the 30th September 2025. It’s not a difficult process. For the reasons described above, pilots who can apply for an SPL but do not are far more likely to step away from gliding prematurely than those who hold an SPL.

The second issue that we’re hearing from some pilots is that they’ve ‘heard that an SPL holder needs a class 2 or LAPL medical’. As we’ve consistently published and passed to clubs ever since the Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD) became an option for SPL holders, conversion to an SPL and subsequent use of an SPL and all SPL privileges can take place using a PMD. Clearly any pilot who cannot declare to the PMD standard will need to obtain a LAPL medical or class 2. As noted to clubs and published on several occasions, CAA intend to apply an exemption to the medical rules that will permit student pilots to use a PMD for their solo flight under supervision/authorisation from 30th September. It would be tragic if pilots at your club chose to stop gliding because they were under a misapprehension that they need to hold a class 2 or LAPL medical certificate.

BGA will continue to communicate on SPL conversion topics leading up to the 30th September and always look to improve our messaging where we can.

Very many thanks for your assistance and the support of your own club members in applying for their SPLs.

The BGA SPL conversion information including application form is published here.

Kind regards

Pete Stratten

BGA