Requirements for flying gliders - Thai registered aircraft:

There are no requirements to hold a Thai Aviation Document unless you wish to act as pilot-in-command of a Thai registered aircraft. To fly as pilot-in-command of a Thai registered aircraft, there are three ways to satisfy the pilot licensing requirements.

1. Foreign Licence Validation Certificate (FLVC): The Foreign Licence Validation Certificate is issued on the strength of your foreign glider licence and is valid for one year from the date of issue.
   
2. Student Permit: This would typically apply if you do not hold a foreign glider pilot licence and wish to take glider pilot training in Thailand . You may obtain a Student Pilot Permit through a club or commercial gliding operation, providing they have an Authorized Person who had been delegated the authority to issue Student Pilot Permits. The regulatory requirements for this permit are:
   
   a) Successfully complete an oral pre-solo examination. “A” & “B” certificate (administered at the club)
   
   b) Sign a Civil Aviation Medical Certificate (self-declaration of fitness to fly), thereby meeting Category IV medical standards
   
   c) Have a Thai Glider Flight Instructor certify in your log book that you are safe for solo flight. A Student Pilot Permit is not needed until the solo stage and there is no fee for a Student Pilot Permit.
   
3. Thai Qualified Glider Pilot Certificate (QGP): Obtaining a Thai Qualified Glider Pilot Certificate (QGP) mainly would be attractive to a foreign pilot who is a frequent visitor to Thailand and intends to fly Thai registered gliders while here. Assuming that you have a valid foreign licence from an ICAO contracting state, you can obtain a Thai licence, providing you:
   
   a) Pass the written examination on Thai air regulations – administered by the Club – pass mark 70%
   
   b) Provide evidence (from your log book) that you have sufficient experience to obtain a Thai Qualified Glider Pilot Certificate (QGP); and
   
   c) Sign a medical declaration, thereby meeting Category 4 medical standards, or hold a Category 1, 3, or 4 medical certificate.

Requirements for issue of licence (ICAO):

• Minimum age 16 years
• Demonstrated level of knowledge in the following subjects:

•  Air law

•  Aircraft general knowledge – operation and limitations of gliders

•  Flight performance and planning – loading – launching – landing – ATC procedures – altimeter setting procedures – circuit planning – ground signals – check lists – glider assembly and inspection

•  Human performance – relevant to glider pilot

•  Meteorology – application of elementary aeronautical meteorology – obtaining information – altimetry

•  Navigation – practical application of air navigation – use of charts

•  Operational procedures – aeronautical documentation – AIP - NOTAM – different launch methods and procedures – appropriate precautionary and emergency procedures – hazardous weather – wake turbulence and other operating hazards

•  Principles of flight – relating to gliders

• Experience: The applicant shall have completed not less than *six hours of flight time as a pilot of gliders including two hours solo flight time during which not less than 20 launches and landings have been practiced.
  
  *When the applicant has flight time as a pilot of aeroplanes the Thai Gliding Association shall determine whether such experience is acceptable and if so, the extent to which the flight time requirements can be reduced accordingly
  
• The applicant shall have gained, under supervision, operational experience in gliders in the following areas:

•  Pre-flight operations, including glider assembly and inspection

•  Techniques and procedures for the launching method used, including airspeed limitations, emergency procedures and signals used

•  Traffic pattern operations, collision avoidance precautions and procedures

•  Control of the glider by external visual reference

•  Flight throughout the flight envelope

•  Recognition of, and recovery from incipient and full stalls and spiral dives

•  Normal and cross wind launches, approaches and landings

•  Cross country flying using visual reference and dead reckoning

•  Emergency procedures

• Skill: The applicant shall have demonstrated the ability to perform as pilot-in-command of a glider, the procedures and manoeuvres with a degree of competency appropriate to the privileges granted to the holder of a glider pilot's licence and to:

•  Operate the glider within its limitations

•  Complete all manoeuvres with smoothness and accuracy

•  Exercise good judgement and airmanship

•  Apply sound aeronautical knowledge

 

 

 

*Document prepared for Nok Aviation 2/22/2005 – ICAO regulations for glider pilot's licence (subject to ratification by Thai DCA)

 

ts/gliderlicence/feb05

 

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