I just got this circular by email. In the context, “IFR” is anything which is not VFR so an aircraft closer than 1000ft vertically to a cloud (above 3000ft or whatever the rule is) is IFR. However a plain PPL holder cannot fly IFR… But also the sentence “However, it is also true that glider pilots can operate under IFR and fly closer to cloud than 1500m/1000ft, i.e. fly in IMC.” does not hang together logically because IMC is only inside a cloud.
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General Aviation FEEDBACK Issue 72
In the last Edition of FEEDBACK we published a report about a glider flying in close proximity to cloud. It prompted several readers to contact us to explain that the associated CHIRP comments, while correct, were incomplete and potentially misleading.
We said that ‘when operating under VFR pilots (both Power AND Glider) must observe the appropriate rules for separation from cloud (for flight above 3000ft: 1500m horizontally and 300m (1000ft) vertically clear of cloud). This is a true statement, if operating under VFR. However, it is also true that glider pilots can operate under IFR and fly closer to cloud than 1500m/1000ft, i.e. fly in IMC. Operating under IFR would normally require some kind of instrument rating for powered pilots but glider pilots are not required to hold a licence (this is expected to change under EASA regulation in April 2018) and consequently have no requirement to hold an instrument or cloud flying rating (the requirement for which is defined within the licence) in order to operate under IFR. The net effect is that currently in the UK in Class G airspace, a glider pilot can legally operate under, around (within 1500m/1000ft) and in cloud, whether below or above 3000ft amsl. In practice,
practically all UK glider pilots operate under the auspices of the BGA or a military club with BGA affiliation, which ensures a robust framework of pilot certification and risk management, including training for activities such as cloud flying.
It is difficult to know how frequently glider pilots fly in cloud. When using thermal lift it is normal to find gliders circling (thermalling) beneath Cu cloud where they climb up to cloud base. From there they set off towards the next suitable Cu cloud beneath which they repeat the process to make progress along their route. In wave conditions gliders may be found upwind of and above lenticular clouds that mark the existence of mountain waves.
Electronic conspicuity is the way forward for all airspace users to advertise their presence and be alerted to proximate traffic. There are a variety of solutions with varying degrees of interoperability and FEEDBACK readers are encouraged to investigate and invest in devices appropriate to their aircraft type and operations.
Gliders can fly IFR / IMC – really?
I am not overly familiar with glider licensing rules, but in Hungary there is a “cloud flying rating” for sailplane pilots and pilots having this regularly (and presumably legally) fly in clouds.
Google this in German and immediately found an EASA cloud flying rating and it’s comparison to the old German one (Wolkenflugberechtigung). I thought the SPL license was also EASA?
Yes, advanced glider pilots do in cloud flying, there is even a special rating for it. IFR SEP pilots who have a glider licence are allowed to fly in clouds too. The idea is to use the strong updrafts in CU and even TCU clouds.
In Sweden we even have a couple of seasonal(May to October or similar) restriction areas that are there for this kind of flying alone. They are pretty big but rarely used these days AFAIK.
Yes, and I’ve done it. It wasn’t much fun so it’s not something I made a habit of.
Clubs where it’s more common usually will have at least an electric AI and turn and bank.
Peter wrote:
I just got this circular by email. In the context, “IFR” is anything which is not VFR so an aircraft closer than 1000ft vertically to a cloud (above 3000ft or whatever the rule is) is IFR. However a plain PPL holder cannot fly IFR… But also the sentence “However, it is also true that glider pilots can operate under IFR and fly closer to cloud than 1500m/1000ft, i.e. fly in IMC.” does not hang together logically because IMC is only inside a cloud.
IMC is when you are below VMC minima. Flying closer than 1000 ft vertically to a cloud (above the highest of 1000 AGL/3000 MSL in class F/G and always in class A-E) is certainly IMC — even if you’re not inside the cloud.
In many countries glider pilots have concessions to fly IFR up to the cloud base without having a cloud flying rating.
So the sentence hangs together perfectly well.
The problem in a glider is to find out how far you are from the base of cloud – especially early in the day when each cloud might have a different base. And all glider pilots are trying to use the lift underneath the cloud as much as they can. Once you get 100 below, it’s clear but to evaluate 1200 or 800 ft is almost impossible.
So the message for others – don’t expect the 1000 ft just below base of cumulus to be glider free and avoid as much as you can.
In some countries (e.g. Switzerland), the airspace authorities were very smart to designate certain airspace areas in class E, which are not technically restricted or prohibited (you can enter without clearance or checking their activation), but you are warned (if you READ the stuff) that gliders (of all sorts, speeds and materials) may be actually LEGALLY flying within 1500m/300m from the clouds. That is a very pragmatic and clever way of dealing with the issue. All glider pilots I know have at least once climbed much closer than 300 m to the cloud base. Some have even done it more than once. When I fly in convective days, I try to avoid thermal areas under the clouds like the plague. They are the most dangerous part of the airspace, in my opinion.
This was discussed elsewhere and a number of glider pilots commented they often operate in imc. It is common to see gliders in situations that dont meet the “normal” vfrs.
I find little to justify their exception especially as they usually rely on flarm, if, infact they transpond at all. At the best of times they are hard enough to spot as it is.