The new Sailplane Pilot licensing rules have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union today.
In order to simplify operational and licensing requirements for balloons and sailplanes, EASA decided to remove these requirements from the more complex regulatory framework of Regulation (EU) No. 965/2012 and Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, and to establish stand-alone regulations exclusively for balloons and sailplanes.
Air sport federations, industry, and national authorities supported EASA in developing the rules, resulting in the new regulations on air operations for sailplanes (Regulation (EU) 2018/1976, in force from 9 July 2019). This regulation has been amended now to include the revised flight-crew licensing requirements for sailplanes (Part-SFCL) and will enter in to force on 8 April 2020.
The regulation, including applicable operational and flight crew licensing requirements, is tailored to the respective activity: they are less complex, more flexible, and proportionate to the low complexity required for the operation and training for sailplanes. For example, the onerous air operator approval for commercial operations has been replaced by a declarative system. As regards flight crew licensing, the light-aircraft pilot licence (LAPL) for sailplanes was deleted. Among a number of achieved improvements, this change simplifies the overall licensing system allowing SPL holders to hold an LAPL medical certificate for non-commercial flights.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/357 of 4 March 2020
The possible combinations of a SPL with a LAPL or a Class 2 medical can be found in the amended Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 - Point MED.A.030 of Annex IV (Part-MED)
An modified definition of Touring Motor Glider (TMG) is available in the amended Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 - Point FCL.010 (d).
The circulation for signature has been initiated today, thus a publication the next days can be expected.
Published today: https://www.easa.europa.eu/regulations#regulations-aircrew
Jannes Neumann other coutries that have difficulty with AMC1 SFC.135?
Dealing with this in The Netherlands at the moment. The Pass rate for lots of subject becomes 80% due to this AMC. Instead of 75% required.
Frank Schellenberg thank you for mentioning this point. I understand when using e,g, 12 questions it woulld be possible to meet exactly 75%. We have put it on our list to be discussed but no quick fix available, unfortunately.
Jannes Neumann thanks for that. As discussed by email. Great. Posted this question before obtaining your direct email address.