spl-tmg

How to Obtain an SPL with TMG Privileges

A Generic EASA Part‑SFCL Guide (Regulation (EU) 2020/358)

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Introduction: Is This Even Possible?

Yes. Under EASA Part‑SFCL, a Touring Motor Glider (TMG) is legally treated as a sailplane for licensing purposes, unless otherwise specified.

“When requirements of Part-SFCL refer to ‘sailplanes’, this includes powered sailplanes as well as touring motor gliders (TMGs), unless otherwise specified.”
— GM1 SFCL.001 Scope

You can complete all of your SPL training (theoretical instruction, flight training, and skill test) on a TMG and be issued a valid Sailplane Pilot Licence.

However, there is a critical limitation:

“If the skill test as specified in point SFCL.145 has been completed in a TMG, the privileges of the SPL shall be limited to TMGs.”
— SFCL.150(d)

This guide walks you through the exact requirements to obtain that TMG‑limited SPL, based strictly on the text of Part‑SFCL.

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1. Entry Requirements

Requirement	Detail	Reference
Minimum age	16 years at licence issue (solo flights as student pilot permitted from age 14)	SFCL.120, SFCL.125
Medical certificate	Valid Part‑MED Class 2 or LAPL medical certificate	SFCL.115(c)
Training organisation	Complete the course at an approved ATO or declared DTO	SFCL.130(a)

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2. Theoretical Knowledge (SFCL.135)

You must pass examinations in 9 subjects, taken before the skill test (SFCL.145(c)) and under the authority of a single Member State’s competent authority.

Examination rules (AMC1 SFCL.135):

• Approximately 120 multiple‑choice questions total.
• Pass mark: 75 % per subject paper.
• Must pass all papers within 18 months of the first attempt.
• Maximum 4 attempts per subject; failure on the 4th attempt requires retaking the entire set after further training.
• Exam results are valid for 24 months for the skill test and licence application.
• An ATO/DTO recommendation is required and valid for 12 months.

Credits: Holders of a Part‑FCL or Part‑BFCL licence (or who have passed the exams for one, within the validity period) are credited for the 4 common subjects (SFCL.140).

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3. Flight Training & Experience (SFCL.130(a)(2))

The course must be tailored to TMG privileges. Minimum requirements:

Item	Minimum
Total flight instruction (sailplanes, incl. TMG)	15 hours
…of which dual flight instruction	10 hours
…of which in TMGs	6 hours
…of which dual in TMG	4 hours
Supervised solo flight time	2 hours
Launches / take‑offs and landings	45
Solo cross‑country in a TMG	≥ 150 km (80 NM) with 1 full‑stop landing at an aerodrome other than departure

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4. Radio Telephony Qualification (if required by national law)

Many Member States require a radio telephony qualification (e.g., FCL.055 or equivalent national requirement) before exercising privileges that involve radio communication.

Check with your competent authority for the specific examination and application procedure in your State. This is typically a separate national examination.

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5. Skill Test in a TMG (SFCL.145 + AMC1)

The skill test must be taken with an FE(S) (Flight Examiner for Sailplanes).

Test content per AMC1 SFCL.145(d)(2) :

Section	Content
1. Pre‑flight operations & departure	Documentation, flight planning, NOTAM/weather briefing, mass & balance, performance calculation, TMG inspection & servicing, engine start, taxiing, pre‑take‑off checks, take‑off, departure, ATC liaison (if applicable).
2A. General airwork (powered)	Straight & level with speed changes, climbs & climbing turns, medium (30°) turns, steep (45°) turns, slow flight, stalls (clean with power, descending‑turn approach‑to‑stall, landing configuration), descents.
2B. General airwork (unpowered)	Straight & level, medium turns, in‑flight engine start and stop procedures, stall in a turn.
3. En‑route procedures	Dead reckoning & map reading, maintaining altitude/heading/speed, orientation, ETAs & log keeping, diversion planning, fuel/engine management, ATC liaison.
4. Approach & landing	Arrival procedures, look‑out, short‑field & crosswind landing, flapless landing, idle‑power approach, touch‑and‑go, go‑around from low height, actions after flight.
5. Abnormal & emergency procedures	Simulated engine failure after take‑off, forced landing, precautionary landing, simulated emergencies, oral questions.

Additional notes:

• Navigation leg must be at least 30 minutes with ≥ 2 waypoints (may be flown separately by agreement).
• Tolerances (guidance): height ±150 ft; speed +15/−5 kt (take‑off/approach), ±15 kt otherwise.
• Pass/fail: Failure in one section → repeat only that section. Failure in two or more sections → retake the entire test. If the applicant fails within 2 attempts, further training is required before retesting.

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6. Application to the Competent Authority

Submit your application to the competent authority of the Member State where you trained, using their prescribed form(s). The application typically requires:

• Copy of passport / national ID card
• Copy of valid Part‑MED Class 2 or LAPL medical certificate
• Radio telephony qualification (if required by the Member State)
• Course completion certificate from the ATO/DTO
• Original logbooks (or digitally signed extract for electronic logbooks)
• Copy of theoretical knowledge examination results (if not held by the authority)
• Original SPL skill test report (signed by the FE(S))
• Examiner designation document (as required by the authority)
• Recent passport‑style photograph
• Applicable national fee (check with your competent authority)

Declaration: You must confirm that you do not hold (or have pending) a Part‑SFCL licence in another EASA Member State and have never had one revoked or suspended there (SFCL.015(e)). False declarations may be subject to national penalties.

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7. After Issue — Privileges & Recency

Basic Privileges (SFCL.115)

• Act as PIC in TMGs without remuneration in non‑commercial operations.
• Carriage of passengers: Requires either:
  • ≥ 10 hours flight time or 30 take‑offs/landings as PIC after licence issue, plus one check/training flight with an FI(S); or
  • Hold an FI(S) certificate.
• Remunerated / commercial operations: Requires age 18 + 75 hours flight time or 200 take‑offs/landings as PIC after issue.

TMG Recency — every 24 months (SFCL.160(b))

Either:

• 12 hours flight time as PIC / dual / supervised solo, including:
  • 6 hours on TMGs,
  • 12 take‑offs and landings, and
  • a ≥ 1 hour training flight with an instructor; or
• Pass a proficiency check with an FE(S) based on the TMG skill test.

Passenger‑carrying Recency — every 90 days (SFCL.160(e)(2))

• 3 take‑offs and landings as PIC in a TMG within the preceding 90 days.
• For carrying passengers at night in a TMG, at least 1 of those take‑offs/landings must be at night.

Launching Method Currency (SFCL.155(a)(2) & (c))

• If you later obtain self‑launch privileges, you need 5 launches (or take‑offs in a TMG) in the last 24 months to remain current.

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8. Extending to Pure Sailplanes Later (Optional, SFCL.150(e))

With a TMG‑limited SPL, you can add privileges for sailplanes excluding TMGs upon application, provided you:

1. Complete at an ATO/DTO the training elements of SFCL.130(a)(2)(iv) :
   • ≥ 7 hours of instruction in sailplanes (excluding TMGs), including 3 hours dual;
   • 50 km solo cross‑country or 100 km dual cross‑country (which may be completed in a TMG by derogation);
   • plus at least 15 launches and landings in a non‑TMG sailplane.
2. Pass a new skill test in a pure sailplane, during which you must also demonstrate theoretical knowledge for sailplanes in the 5 TMG‑specific subjects (SFCL.150(e)(2)).

Training completion must be entered in your logbook and signed by the head of training of the ATO/DTO.

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Sources: EASA Easy Access Rules for Sailplanes (Nov 2022), Part‑SFCL points GM1 SFCL.001, SFCL.115, SFCL.130, SFCL.135, SFCL.140, SFCL.145, SFCL.150, SFCL.155, SFCL.160.