2.12    Glider pilot licence

 2.12.1    Requirements for the issue of the licence

 2.12.1.1    Age

 The applicant shall be not less than 16 years of age.

 2.12.1.2    Knowledge

The applicant shall have demonstrated a level of knowledge appropriate to the privileges granted to the holder of a glider pilot licence, in at least the following subjects:

 Air law

 a)   rules and regulations relevant to the holder of a glider pilot licence; rules of the air; appropriate air traffic services practices and procedures;

Aircraft general knowledge

 b)   principles of operation of glider systems and instruments;

 c)   operating limitations of gliders; relevant operational information from the flight manual or other appropriate document;

 Flight performance and planning

 d)   effects of loading and mass distribution on flight characteristics; mass and balance considerations;

 e)   use and practical application of launching, landing and other performance data;

 f)    pre-flight and en-route flight planning appropriate to operations under VFR; appropriate air traffic services procedures; altimeter setting procedures; operations in areas of high-density traffic;

 Human performance

 g)   human performance relevant to the glider pilot;

 Note.— Guidance material to design training programmes on human performance can be found in the Human Factors Training Manual (Doc 9683).

 Meteorology

 h)     application of elementary aeronautical meteorology; use of, and procedures for obtaining, meteorological information; altimetry;

 Navigation

 i)    practical aspects of air navigation and dead-reckoning techniques; use of aeronautical charts;

 Operational procedures

 j)    use of aeronautical documentation such as AIP, NOTAM, aeronautical codes and abbreviations;

 k)   different launch methods and associated procedures;

 l)    appropriate precautionary and emergency procedures, including action to be taken to avoid hazardous weather and wake turbulence and other operating hazards;

 Principles of flight

 m)  principles of flight relating to gliders.

 2.12.1.2.1    Recommendation.— The applicant should have demonstrated a level of knowledge appropriate to the privileges to be granted to the holder of a glider pilot licence, in radiotelephony procedures and phraseology as appropriate to VFR operations and on action to be taken in case of communication failure.

2.12.1.3    Experience

 2.12.1.3.1    The applicant shall have completed not less than six hours of flight time as a pilot of gliders including two hours’ solo flight time during which not less than 20 launches and landings have been performed.

 2.12.1.3.1.1    When the applicant has flight time as a pilot of aeroplanes, the Licensing Authority shall determine whether such experience is acceptable and, if so, the extent to which the flight time requirements of 2.12.1.3.1 can be reduced accordingly.

 2.12.1.3.2    The applicant shall have gained, under appropriate supervision, operational experience in gliders in at least the following areas:

 a)   pre-flight operations, including glider assembly and inspection;

 b)   techniques and procedures for the launching method used, including appropriate airspeed limitations, emergency procedures and signals used;

 c)   traffic pattern operations, collision avoidance precautions and procedures;

 d)   control of the glider by external visual reference;

 e)   flight throughout the flight envelope;

 f)    recognition of, and recovery from, incipient and full stalls and spiral dives;