If you want to fly a sailplane or a Touring Motor Glider (TMG) independently, you need a Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL). With an SPL, you are licensed to fly sailplanes independently within the European Union Safety Agency (EASA) Member States. In the Netherlands, you can apply for an SPL through the Civil Aviation Authority the Netherlands (CAA NL), part of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT).
Requirements
You need an SPL if:
- You are undertaking non-commercial flights.
- You wish to fly for professional purposes, for example, as an instructor.
- You wish to fly with a Touring Motor Glider (TMG). A TMG is a powered sailplane. You can glide and use the engine to fly.
You must meet the following criteria, as required by Part-SFCL:
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Hold a valid medical certificate, LAPL Class or Class 2 for commercial use.
- Pass the SPL theoretical knowledge exam.
- Complete the required training, making adequate launches and landings with a sailplane.
- Successfully pass a skill test for sailplane pilots.
Required attachments
For this application you must upload attachments. Please collect the following documents before starting your application:
- A copy of your passport. Alternatively, a copy of your valid proof of identity issued by a European Union (EU) Member State or by Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland.
Read more about making a secure copy of your proof of identity. - A copy of your medical certificate, LAPL Class or Class 2 for commercial use.
- A copy of your SPL theoretical knowledge exam results.
- A copy of your RT certificate (optional).
- A copy of your Course Completion Certificate.
- A copy of your SPL skill test and proficiency check report.
- A copy of your Flight Test Schedule SPL: Skill test on Sailplanes or Flight Test Schedule SPL: Skill test on TMG (not older than 6 months).
- Evidence demonstrating you have been tested in at least 1 launch method.
- Copies of your logbook demonstrating at least the following flying experience:
15 hours of flight instruction in sailplanes, including at least:
- 10 hours of dual flight instruction.
- 2 hours of supervised solo flight time.
- 45 launches or take-offs and landings.
If you want privileges for sailplanes, excluding TMG, you must also complete at least 7 hours of flight instruction in sailplanes excluding TMGs, including at least:
- 3 hours of dual flight instruction.
- 1 solo cross-country flight of at least 50 km (27 NM).
Or:
- 1 dual cross-country flight of at least 100 km (55 NM). This flight may be completed in a TMG.
If you want TMG privileges, you must also complete:
- At least 6 hours of flight instruction in a TMG, including at least:
- 4 hours of dual flight instruction.
- 1 solo cross-country flight of at least 150 km (80 NM) in a TMG, including 1 full-stop landing at an aerodrome other than the departure aerodrome.
Winch launch and auto-tow launch. Minimum experience:
- 10 dual instructional launches.
- 5 supervised solo launches.
Aerotow launch or self-launch. Minimum experience:
- 5 dual instructional launches.
For self-launch, the dual flight instruction may be completed in TMGs. - 5 supervised solo launches.
Bungee launch. Minimum experience:
- 3 launches during dual flight instruction or supervised solo flight.
Other launch methods. Minimum experience:
- The training required by the competent authority. Read more about the training required (in Dutch).
If you already hold an EASA Part-FCL licence, in certain cases your existing flight hours, launches, and landings may count towards SPL requirements.
If the required flight hours were exempted or reduced based on the fact that you hold a pilot licence issued by an EU Member State that is not for either sailplanes or balloons, also include:
- A copy of your pilot licence issued in the EU.
- A copy of the last 4 pages of the logbook connected to your licence. These copies must demonstrate why you received exemptions or reduction in hours.
Please note: Sign all full pages of your logbook before copying them.
Applying for an SPL
You can apply for an SPL using the online form Aanvraag eerste afgifte zweefvliegbrevet SPL of conversie GPL brevet (in Dutch). In the form, select either:
- Eerste afgifte SPL (sailplane) (first issue SPL (sailplane), in Dutch).
- Eerste afgifte SPL (TMG) (first issue SPL (TMG), in Dutch).
Costs
An application for the first issue of an SPL costs €78. This rate is specified in the Regeling Tarieven Transportsectoren (Transportation Sectors Tariffs Scheme, in Dutch).
After your application
- After submitting your application, you will receive an automatic email confirmation containing a registration number for future correspondence.
- You will receive a payment request via email. Please pay the amount within 4 weeks from the date of the payment request.
- If any information is missing, CAA NL will ask you to provide additional details.
- Once your application is complete and paid for, CAA NL will process it within the legal time frame.
- The maximum processing time is 56 days. Applicants usually receive a response within 2 weeks. When demand is high, processing may take longer.
- If approved, the licence will be sent to you by post. If you disagree with the decision, you can submit an objection.
Validity period
The SPL is valid indefinitely. However, you must have sufficient recent flight experience. Different ratings have different recency requirements. These are specified in the EASA regulations in Part-SFCL.
If you do not meet the recency requirements, you may only fly with an instructor or under supervision until you comply with the recency requirements again.