Convert a sailplane towing rating held on a BGA gliding certificate

If you hold a UK National/JAR licence and need to convert to a UK Part-FCL licence, please apply using online application form for UK Part-FCL Conversion from an Existing UK Flight Crew Licence (SRG1104) this will include conversion of additional rating(s).

If you are applying solely for the sailplane towing rating, please use online application form for Issue and Renewal of Additional Ratings in Accordance with Part-FCL (Aerobatics, Towing, Mountain and Flight Test ratings) (SRG2157).

All documents should be uploaded with a different filename clearly stating the content of the file attachment (for example Passport, Licence copy and so on.)

Submitting documents with the same filename may result in the loss of information in the system and added delays to the application assessment.

For questions relating to paperwork, such as how to obtain certified copies of documents, please refer to guidance on documentation.

If you require accessibility assistance with submitting your application online, please contact our support team on 0330 022 1972 (Monday-Friday 08:30-16:30).

• Fees for Private Licences
• Conversion of UK National/JAR licence: £83
• Sailplane Towing rating: £153

An additional fee applies if you would like your documents returned by secure courier.

• UK: £20
• Europe: £30
• Rest of the world: £40

You will need to upload the following supporting documents as part of the application:

• A copy of your UK licence including certificate of revalidation pages/logbook pages showing the rating endorsements.
• A copy of the relevant pages from your logbook.
• Evidence showing the conversion requirements have been met, as set out in Flight Crew Licensing: Mandatory Requirements, Policy and Guidance (CAP804) - reference only - Part I Part 6 para 3.3 Conversion of UK National Licences and ratings not included under 3.1 or 3.2.

Ratings will be granted for aeroplanes, Towing Motor Gliding (TMG), or both according to the information that you provide. When applying please confirm whether you are applying to tow gliders in an aeroplane, TMG or both.

It is now mandatory to hold the Sailplane Towing rating on your licence in order to tow sailplanes.

To take advantage of our conversion requirements to add a sailplane rowing rating to your licence without completing a full training course, you must have been exercising the privileges before 8 April 2018.

Conversion of these privileges usually applies at the time of licence conversion (to a UK Part-FCL licence).

Pre-requisites

The sailplane towing standards in the UK, established by the BGA, are competency based. These are considered equivalent to those of Part-FCL, particularly in respect of the flying experience and theoretical knowledge requirements.

Please refer to the Comparison Tables in Section 4 of (CAP804) for details:

• The differences shown in the Comparison Table are reflected in the conversion requirements.
• Ratings will be granted for aeroplanes or TMGs according to the information you provide.

A Part-FCL Sailplane Towing Rating will be granted to pilots who have qualified to tow through a BGA gliding club, and show logbook evidence of the following:

At least 30 hours of flight time as Pilot in Command (PIC) and 60 take-offs and landings in aeroplanes, if the activity is to be carried out in aeroplane, or in TMG, if the activity is to be carried out in TMGs, completed after the issue of the UK licence.

At least 10 flights as PIC towing a sailplane in an Aeroplane at a BGA Club. The Sailplane Towing Rating will be restricted to Aeroplanes only.

At least 10 flights as PIC towing a sailplane in a TMG at a BGA Club. The Sailplane Towing Rating will be restricted to TMGs only.

Once the Sailplane Towing rating has been endorsed onto a Part-FCL licence, you cannot begin towing until you meet the requirements shown in FCL 805(e), Section 4. If you don't meet these requirements, you must first complete the missing tows with an instructor.

We are currently working within the published service levels of 10 working days for all application types.

Where an application is pended, the working days to process the application will be counted from the date of receipt of the requested additional information.

When your application will be assessed by a Flight Crew Licensing Officer. Following an acceptable assessment your licence will be processed, signed and despatched.

We will contact you via email if we have any queries regarding your application and may keep your application pending while the additional requirements are met. Applications will only be pended for 30 days before cancellation, where no response is received.

The sailplane towing rating is non-expiring (it has lifetime validity).