YOUR PATH TO THE COCKPIT

Gliding training

Find out about the training contents of gliding: theory, practice, solo flights, route flight, exams and prerequisites.

Gliding – training content and process

Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL) training consists of three areas:

  1. Theoretical training

  2. Practical or Flight training

  3. Examinations (theoretical and practical)

Depending on the flight school or club, the duration may vary, typically it is one to two years, depending on weather, personal learning time and flight frequency.

Training content at a glance


Training area Content Objective
Theoretical training Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, Human Performance,
Aircraft knowledge, operational procedures, communications		 Providing all knowledge for safe flight decisions
Initial training initial dual take-offs and landings, straight ahead, cornering;
Circulars		 Control of base manoeuvres
Advanced flights Thermal, fast, slow, spinning
(Recognize/Avoid), Outside Landing Preparation		 Further development of aviation skills and flight tactics
Single flights (solo) First solo circling, construction flights, line preparation Proof that the student pilot can safely lead the aircraft alone
Line flying training First cross-country flights, navigation, outdoor landing training, use of the
Thermics over longer distances		 Preparation for solo cross-country flight to test maturity
Radio instruction (optional) BZF I/II (if student pilot wishes to obtain a radio certificate) Participation in radiotelephony with ground or aeronautical stations
Theoretical examination Multiple-choice questions for all fields of theory Demonstration of theoretical knowledge
Skill test Dual test flight/examiner: take-offs, landings, emergency procedures;
Thermics, navigation		 License maturity in practical flying

Theoretical training in detail


Theoretical training often takes place in the winter half-year and covers the following topics:

  • Aircraft law & Requirements: Rights, obligations, traffic rules

  • Aircraft General KnowledgeConstruction, instrumentation, aerodynamics

  • Meteorology: Thermal, cloud, weather maps, wind systems

  • NavigationCourse calculation, map reading, airspace structures

  • Human performancePerception, stress limits, safety

  • Operational proceduresFlight planning, checklists, emergency procedures

Practice – the way from the first start to the solo


Practical training begins in a double-seater with a flight instructor. Typical steps:

  1. First basic flights

  2. Flying stable courses

  3. First thermal flights

  4. Emergency procedures and safety manoeuvres

  5. Release for solo flight (solo)

    • Prerequisite: aviation safety, stable landings, safe decision-making

  6. Solo superstructure flights

  7. Cross-country training

    • At least one cross-country flight over the required distance (e.g. 50 km Solo

Examinations and licences


At the end, two examinations are required:

  • Theoretical examination at the Authority

  • Skill test with a recognised examiner

Upon successful completion, the student pilot will receive the SPL (Sailplane Pilot Licence).