The SFCL transition period ENDED on the 30th September. 

 

From the 1st October, you MUST comply with the new rules. The BGA has been preparing for the rule changes for several years and the existing gliding syllabus already largely aligns with the new SFCL requirements. However, there are several key things to be aware of.

 

It is YOUR responsibility to understand the new rules, and ensure you comply with them every time you fly. Your club should be helping their members with the transition through briefing notes and online Q&A sessions. 

 

Here, I will focus purely on the aerobatics changes that SFCL brings, the training syllabus, how to earn privileges, how those privileges are recorded and who can instruct aerobatics. 

 

  • Under SFCL, aerobatics privileges are split into 1) Basic and 2) Advanced

  • Evidence of holding these priviliges is via a logbook signature (CFI or Head of Training)

  • There is a syllabus that must be followed, training record to be completed, and minimum requirements to be met

  • Only instructors with (a)(5) on their SPL can instruct aerobatics, and only up to the level of the privilege they hold themselves

  • CFIs can nominate FI(S) etc

  • BGA HoT nominates FI(S) as (a)(7) able to carry out a DoA (Demonstration of Ability)

  • It is illegal to fly any aerobatic figure unless you hold the relevant privileges on your SPL.

 

The full rulebook is available on the CAA's website here.

 

Basic Aerobatics

 

The Basic aerobatic privilege is the gateway into aerobatics. The BGA publish a training syllabus that includes the required theory, confidence building exercises and the figures themselves. There is also further information in the SFCL AMC (acceptable means of compliance). Once completed, they permit the holder to fly:

  • 45 degree climbing and diving lines
  • Inside loops
  • Wingovers
  • Lazy-eights
  • Competition spins

 

Whilst the training can begin at any point on your gliding journey, you cannot hold the basic privilege until, after the issue of your SPL, you have completed at least 30 hours of flight time or 120 launches as PIC on sailplanes. In order to complete the course, you must be able to perform a solo flight containing the basic manoeuvres.

 

 

 

 

Advanced Aerobatics

 

The Advanced aerobatic privileges build on Basic with more complex figures. The BGA publish a training syllabus that includes the required theory, confidence building exercises and the figures themselves. There is also further information in the SFCL AMC (acceptable means of compliance). The rules stipulate that the training course must consist of at least 5 hours, or 20 launches of instruction. Once completed, they permit the holder to fly all the figures not included in basic including:

  • Chandelles
  • Rolls
  • Inverted flight
  • Stall turns (hammerhead turn)
  • Immelmann (half loop, half roll)

 

In order to complete the course, you must be able to perform a solo flight containing the advanced manoeuvres. An oddity with the Advanced privilege as described in the rules is that they entitle its holder to undertake aerobatic flights not limited to the basic manoeuvres. However, you must not attempt any aerobatic figure that you have not received training and sign-off for.  Examples include Cuban eights, flicks, rolling and inverted turns. SFCL.200 GM1 states "For each aerobatic manoeuvre that is outside the scope of the basic aerobatic privileges, the unsupervised solo practice should only be flown when dual training for the manoeuvre being practised solo has been satisfactorily completed, entered in the pilot’s logbook, and signed by the instructor."

 

 

Instructing Aerobatics

 

Any existing FI(S) who holds the basic or advanced aerobatic privileges can become an aerobatics instructor. The BGA publish a training syllabus that includes the required theory, confidence building exercises and the figures themselves. There is also further information in the rules SFCL 315. Once qualified, an aerobatics instructor may only instruct up to the level of aerobatics privilege they hold. Their SPL will show (a)(5). 

Any existing FI(S) Coach (an FI that demonstrated the ability to instruct for the FI(S) certificate to an FI(S) who is qualified and nominated by the BGA head of training) can become an aerobatics instructor coach subject to approval from their CFI, the BGA HoT and after completion of a Demonstration of Ability (DoA). Their SPL will show (a)(5) and (a)(7). 

 

 

 

Questions?

 

Want to get started on the aerobatics pathway but aren't sure how? Questions about SFCL and licensing? Looking for an instructor close to you? Then get in touch using the form below.