Easy Access Rules for Sailplanes Chapter 1 — Air operations and Licensing

ANNEX III — REQUIREMENTS FOR

SAILPLANE FLIGHT CREW LICENSING (Part-
SFCL)

GM1 SFCL.130(a)(2)(iv) SPL – Training course and experience

requirements
ED Decision 2020/004/R

USE OF TMGs DURING TRAINING FOR THE INITIAL ISSUE OF AN SPL WITHOUT TMG PRIVILEGES
For initial SPL training that does not include training for TMG privileges, TMGs can be used for a
maximum of 8 hours (point SFCL.130(a)(2)(iv)). It follows from the objective of such a training course
that all training exercises completed on a TMG must consist of pure gliding manoeuvres, without any
TMG-specific manoeuvres. Such pure gliding training in a TMG can be provided by FI(S) certificate
holders who do not hold the TMG instructional privileges as specified in point SFCL.315(a)(4), provided
that the instructor occupies the pilot seat from which all PIC functions can be executed.

SFCL.135 SPL – Theoretical knowledge examination

Regulation (EU) 2020/358

(a) Theoretical knowledge

Applicants for an SPL shall demonstrate a level of theoretical knowledge that is appropriate to
the privileges sought through examinations on the following:
(1) common subjects:
(i) air law;
(ii) human performance;
(iii) meteorology;
(iv) communications;
(2) specific subjects concerning sailplanes:
(i) principles of flight;
(ii) operational procedures;
(iii) flight performance and planning;
(iv) aircraft general knowledge related to sailplanes;
(v) navigation.
(b) Responsibilities of the applicant
(1) The applicant shall take the entire set of theoretical knowledge examinations for the SPL
under the responsibility of the same Member State’s competent authority.
(2) The applicant shall take the theoretical knowledge examination only if recommended by
the ATO or the DTO that is responsible for his or her training and once he or she has
completed the appropriate elements of the training course of theoretical knowledge
instruction to a satisfactory standard.
(3) The recommendation by the ATO or the DTO shall be valid for 12 months. If the applicant
has failed to take at least one theoretical knowledge examination paper within this
validity period, the need for further training shall be determined by the ATO or the DTO,
based on the needs of the applicant.

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 Easy Access Rules for Sailplanes Chapter 1 — Air operations and Licensing
ANNEX III — REQUIREMENTS FOR
SAILPLANE FLIGHT CREW LICENSING (Part-
SFCL)

(d) The period of 18 months mentioned in point SFCL.135(c)(2) should be counted from the end of
the calendar month when the applicant first attempted an examination.
(e) The competent authority should inform applicants of the language(s) in which the examination
will be conducted.

GM1 SFCL.135 SPL – Theoretical knowledge examinations

ED Decision 2020/004/R

TERMINOLOGY
The meaning of the following terms used in SFCL.135 is as follows:
(a) ‘Entire set of examinations’: an examination in all subjects required by the licence level.
(b) ‘Examination’: the demonstration of knowledge in one or more examination papers.
(c) ‘Examination paper’: a set of questions that covers one subject required by the licence level, to
be answered by a candidate for examination.
(d) ‘Attempt’: a try to pass a specific examination paper.

SFCL.140 SPL – Crediting of theoretical knowledge

Regulation (EU) 2020/358

Applicants for the issue of an SPL shall be credited towards the theoretical knowledge requirements
for the common subjects as specified in point SFCL.135(a)(1) if they:
(a) hold a licence in accordance with Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 or with
Annex III (Part-BFCL) to Regulation (EU) 2018/395; or
(b) have passed the theoretical knowledge examinations for a licence as specified in paragraph (a),
as long as this is done within the validity period specified in point SFCL.135(d).

SFCL.145 SPL – Practical skill test

Regulation (EU) 2020/358

(a) Applicants for an SPL shall demonstrate through the completion of a skill test the ability to
perform, as PIC on sailplanes, the relevant procedures and manoeuvres with competency
appropriate to the privileges sought.
(b) Applicants shall complete the skill test in a sailplane, excluding TMGs, or a TMG, depending on
the privileges sought and provided that the training course in accordance with point SFCL.130
included the necessary training elements for the relevant aircraft. An applicant who has
completed a training course, including the necessary training elements for both sailplanes and
TMGs, may complete 2 skill tests, 1 in a sailplane, excluding TMGs, and 1 in a TMG, in order to
obtain privileges for both aircraft.
(c) To take a skill test for the issue of an SPL the applicant shall first pass the required theoretical
knowledge examinations.
(d) Pass standards
(1) The skill test shall be divided into different sections, representing all the different phases
of a sailplane flight.

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 Easy Access Rules for Sailplanes Chapter 1 — Air operations and Licensing
ANNEX III — REQUIREMENTS FOR
SAILPLANE FLIGHT CREW LICENSING (Part-
SFCL)

GM1 SFCL.155(a)(4) SPL – Launching methods

ED Decision 2020/004/R

FURTHER LAUNCHING METHODS

In addition to the launching methods specified in points (b)(1) to (b)(3) of point SFCL.155, further
launching methods (e.g. ‘gravity launch’ – launching the sailplane by running it down a slope) may be
practised in some Member States. Such additional launching methods can be exercised, after
applicants have complied with specific training requirements as established by the competent
authority.

SFCL.160 SPL – Recency requirements

Regulation (EU) 2020/358

(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:
(i) 15 launches; and
(ii) 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:
(i) six hours flight time;
(ii) 12 take-offs and landings; and
(iii) 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).
(d) The completion of the dual flights, the flights under supervision and the training flights as
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (b)(1), as well as the proficiency checks as specified in
paragraph (a)(2) and (b)(2) shall be entered in the logbook of the pilot and signed by the
responsible FI(S) in the case of paragraphs (a)(1) and (b)(1), and by the responsible FE(S) in the
case of paragraphs (a)(2) and (b)(2).
(e) Carriage of passengers SPL holders shall carry passengers only if in the preceding 90 days they
have carried out as PIC, at least:
(1) three launches in sailplanes, excluding TMGs, if passengers are to be carried in sailplanes,
excluding TMGs; or

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 Easy Access Rules for Sailplanes Chapter 1 — Air operations and Licensing
ANNEX III — REQUIREMENTS FOR
SAILPLANE FLIGHT CREW LICENSING (Part-
SFCL)

(5) landing with the tow rope connected (if applicable);

(6) tow rope release procedure in-flight;
(7) emergency procedures (simulation); and
(8) signals and communication during tow.
(e) Flying training: banner towing
The exercises of the towing training syllabus for banner towing should be repeated as necessary
until the student achieves a safe and competent standard and should comprise at least the
following practical training items:
(1) pickup manoeuvres;
(2) towing in-flight techniques;
(3) release procedures;
(4) flight at critically low air speeds;
(5) maximum performance manoeuvres;
(6) emergency manoeuvres to include equipment malfunctions (simulated);
(7) specific banner towing safety procedures;
(8) go-around with the banner connected; and
(9) loss of engine power with the banner attached (simulated).

SFCL.210 TMG night rating

Regulation (EU) 2020/358

(a) SPL holders with privileges to fly TMGs shall only exercise their TMG privileges in VFR conditions
at night if they hold a TMG night rating in accordance with this point.
(b) Applicants for a TMG night rating shall first complete a training course at an ATO or a DTO. The
course shall comprise:
(1) theoretical knowledge instruction in flying in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions at night;
(2) at least five hours of flight time in TMGs at night, including at least three hours of dual
instruction, including at least:
(i) One hour of cross-country navigation with at least 1 dual cross-country flight of at
least 50 km (27 NM);
(ii) Five solo take-offs; and
(iii) Five solo full-stop landings.
(c) To complete the training at night, an SPL holder shall first complete the basic instrument flight
training necessary for the issue of a private pilot licence (PPL) in accordance with the provisions
of Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011.
(d) Applicants for a TMG night rating in accordance with this point shall receive full credit towards
the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) if they hold a night rating in accordance with point
FCL.810 of Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 or if they have fulfilled all the
requirements for the issue of that rating.

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