Pilot license ?
Well, contrary to popular belief. In the UK, You do not require a license as such to learn to fly a glider. Nor is there a license once you have gone solo. Unless you are going for the option of a powered or "Motorglider" such as the T61 Venture. This, for all intents and purposes is a conventional aircraft that has the ability to also fly as a glider. Once airborne and at the desired altitude, you can switch off the engine. The only real noticeable difference in its looks are the wings which are long and sleek as they are in a glider.
To obtain solo status in this or similar aircraft you would be working towards a National Private Pilots License (NPPL) which, once attained will allow you to carry a passenger, and you can fly anywhere in the UK. The NNPL does not cater for flights abroad, for that you require a Private Pilots License. (PPL) However, in the case of a conventional glider, even when you are solo, you may not carry a passenger unless you have attained at least a Basic Instructor grade. (BI) The T61 Venture Motor glider
When you join a gliding club, you will be issued with a pilots log book. This serves several purposes. Firstly it will be an accurate reccord of your training and flying achievements. Your instructor will enter comments next to each flight recorded. It also records the amount of "flying hours" you are accruing, which is an important statistic in the scheme of things.
It also the proof of your flying status, solo or student ect, as it contains all flights you have taken either as a student or a solo pilot The log book is valid throughout the UK. This means if you want to fly from a club that is not your own, you take your log book along so the instructors/duty personel know exactly what stage you are at and if you are qualified to fly solo or not. The pictures above show my log book from about a year ago. The look will perhaps differ from place to place but the content will almost certainly be the same. So, the log book is a vital part of your flying career as it sort of becomes the gliding equivalent of a license. Look after it and always ensure that it is kept up to date. From personal experience, you may on occaision have to give your instructor a gentle reminder to update their part after a flight. Its not that they are absent minded as a rule, but more to do with the fact that on a busy day there will be lots of people waiting to fly and they sometimes are hopping from one student to another to ensure everyone gets in the air.Medical
Solo pilots are required nowadays to have a medical to show they are fit to fly. This is usually not a problem as there are pilots around well into their 70`s.A simple letter from your GP will in most cases suffice.
