FAI BadgesEstablished in the 1930's, Federation Aeronautique Internationale ("FAI")

Badges acknowledge internationally-recognized levels of soaring achievement.

• FAI Silver BadgeSilver Altitude is a 1,000-meter (3,281-foot) altitude gain;

Silver Duration is a 5-hour flight time after tow release and

Silver Distance is a 50-km (31.07-mile) cross-country flight.

• FAI Gold BadgeGold Altitude is a 3,000-meter (9,843-foot) altitude gain;

Gold Distance is a 300-km (186.42-mile) cross country flight.

• FAI Diamond BadgeDiamond Altitude is a 5,000-meter (16,404-foot) altitude gain;

Diamond Goal is a 300-km (186.42-mile) cross country flight

using a pre-declared Out and Return or Triangle course;

Diamond Distance is a 500-km (310.7-mile) cross country flight.

SSA’s ABC BRONZE Training Program

Requirements: A: glide solo per FAA training requirements B: soar 1/2 hour after release C: soar one hour after release and train for cross-country issues

(accuracy landings)Bronze: soar two flights of two hours and pass written and

flight tests oriented toward cross-country soaring.

Designated SSA Instructors administer this program - your club instructors.

The appropriate pins and blue cards are awarded to the students who achieve the level indicated by A, B, C, and Bronze.

Cross-country solo flights in club ships

• Cross country flight using club ships is encouraged by N.C.S.A. instructors as well as is team flying with more experienced pilots.

• Club members are expected to take the initiative, coordinating ahead of time and completing the required cross-country checkout before the proposed day of flight.

Modifying the Club's Rules Governing Flight Activities

Cross-country solo flights in club shipsCriteria for an initial solo cross country log book endorsement shall include:

low energy accuracy landings; crosswind landings defining suitable off- field landing sites as appropriate L/D, speeds to fly, altitude for safe landings weather conditions for the day high-altitude mountain flying awareness

non altimeter and crosswind landings (if crosswind practice is not possible, ground instruction may be substituted) as well as different and unusual approaches

ground handling operations in high wind and exposed conditions minimum five hours solo at Truckee or other remote site

including 10 flights in glider make and model minimum one dual cross-country flight with a club instructor

Remote site solo flights in club ships

• An initial local area checkout or area familiarization is required with an instructor logbook endorsement prior to flying a club ship at a remote location.

• An annual proficiency check with a logbook endorsement is required each year prior to flying club ships at remote sites (Truckee, Minden, ASI, Avenal) for pilots with less than 100 hours glider.

Modifying the club's Rules Governing Flight Activities

Initial local area checkout Criteria for Endorsement shall include:

must fly dual with an instructor (N. C. S. A. or other designated instructor); a ground checkout is insufficient -- the number of flights at the discretion of the instructor

brief on local standard operating procedures and any deviations unique to the local area -- emergency land-out areas for example

brief on suitable out of area landing sites review mountain flying awareness review traffic patterns both glider and power review takeoff and emergency procedures unique to that area perform non altimeter and crosswind landings (if crosswind practice

is not possible, ground instruction may be substituted) as well as different and unusual approaches

Currency Requirements• Pilot certificate and photo I. D. • Flight review very 2 years• Three take-offs and landings every 90 days to

carry passengers

• Further NCSA requirements to fly club ships:– annual flight with a club instructor (birthday ride)

– flight in a glider within the last 90 days– instructor endorsement to soar cross-country.

Currency Opportunities• BFR (actually called a Flight Review) or-– achieve a new rating– complete a phase of the WINGS program– go for a FAA check ride

Some “fun” things to do at the same time:• check-out in a different glider or • in the rear seat or • in a new location,• achieve a SSA Badge,• test a different instructor.

FAA’s WING’s ProgramOBJECTIVE: Regular proficiency training. Recurrent training is the

key to proficiency.

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE: All pilots holding a private pilot certificate or higher and a current medical certificate (if required) may participate.

THE AWARD: You are awarded a distinctive lapel or tie pin (your WINGS), a certificate of completion and an endorsement in your logbook.

Also, a pilot need not accomplish the flight review requirements of 14 CFR part 61, 61.56 if, since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month in which that pilot acts as pilot in command, he or she has satisfactorily completed

one or more phases of this program.

Got Currency?Get Proficiency!

• Make every landing a spot landing,

• Monitor our performance as if we were being observed - we are,

• Occasionally practice air work including incipient spins (at altitude) which simulate the classic "stall spin scenario", i.e. from a shallow skidding turn,

• Practice cross wind landings,

• Land consciously from an approach (safe and announced) that is not standard,

the sort of thing one asks in Flight Reviews.

Backup Slides

SSA’s Badge Program

Club participation is many active pilots.

More are welcome.

Comments heard:

“That was fun!”

“I want to get my ______ badge.”

“It was difficult!”

WING’s Training Requirements• One hour of ground training:

– preflight operations, including installation of wing and tail surfaces, – on-line inspection, – use of glider operating limitations, weight and balance, performance data, and – standard emergency procedures.

• One hour or three flights:– launch procedures, – proper position during tow, – emergency procedures such as a slack line or tow rope failure, and– tow release procedures.

• One hour or three flights:– thermaling procedures, – flight in close proximity to other aircraft, – maneuvers at various performance speeds, – demonstration of best lift over drag (L/D) and minimum sink, and– precision approaches and landings.

Plus: attend a FAA safety seminar.

Plus: attend a FAA safety seminar.

Work day!

1 to 2 high tows

3 patterns - no rope breaks!

FAA’s WING’s Program

Club participation is eight+ active pilots.

More are welcome.

Comments heard:

“That was fun!”

“I want to get my WINGS.”

WINGS Phase ___