SSA Badges

A Badge Requirements
Preflight Phase

Applicant Demonstrates Knowledge of:

• Sailplane Nomenclature
• Sailplane Handling Procedures
• Sailplane Pre-flight Check
• Airport Rules and Federal Aviation Regulations
• Tow Equipment, Signals, and Procedures
• Hook-up of Towline
• Launch Signals
• Pilot Responsibilities

Applicant Possesses:

• Valid FAA Pilot Certificate
• Pilot Logbook or Suitable Permanent Record

Presolo Phase

Applicant Has Completed the Following Minimum Flight Training Program:

• Familiarization Flight
• Cockpit Check Procedure
• Effects of Controls – Ground and Flight
• Takeoff Procedures – Normal and Crosswind
• Flight During Tow
• Straight Gliding Flight
• Shallow Turns
• Circuit Procedures and Landing Patterns
• Landing Procedures – Normal, Downwind, and Crosswind
• Moderate and Steep Turns Up to 720 Degrees in Both Directions
• Stall Recognition and Recovery
• Conditions of Spin Entry and Recovery
• Effective Use of Spoilers/Flaps/Slips
• Emergency Procedures
• Oral Examination on Federal Aviation Regulations
• Solo Flight

B Badge Requirements
Practice Phase

Applicant Demonstrates:

• Soaring ability by a solo flight of at least 30 minutes duration after release from a 2,000-foot tow (add 1 ½ minutes per 100 foot tow altitude above 2,000 feet).

C Badge Requirements
Pre Cross-country Phase

Applicant Has Completed the Following Flight Training:

• Dual Soaring Practice, including instruction in techniques for soaring thermals, ridge soaring, and wave (simulated flight and/or ground instruction may be used when suitable conditions do not exist).
• Has Knowledge of:
  • Cross-country Procedures
  • Sailplane Assembly, Disassembly, and Retrieves
  • Hazards of Cross-country Flying
• Demonstrates Soaring Ability by Solo Flight of at Least 60 Minutes Duration After Release From 2,000 Foot Tow (add 1 ½ minutes per 100 foot of tow above 2,000 feet).
• While Accompanied by an SSA Instructor, Demonstrate the Following:
  • Make a Simulated Off-field Landing From the Approach Without Reference to the Altimeter
  • Perform an Accuracy Landing From the Approach, Touching Down and Coming to a Complete Stop Within an Area No Greater Than 500 Feet in Length.

Bronze Badge Requirements
Cross-Country Readiness

Applicant Must:

• Complete the ABC Training Program with the C Badge Awarded.
• Log at Least 15 Solo Hours in Gliders. This Time Must Include 30 Solo Flights with at Least 10 Flights Flown in a Single-Place Glider if Possible.
• Log at Least 2 Flights, Each Having Duration of Two Hours or More.
• Perform at Least 3 Solo Spot Landings in a Glider Witnessed by an SSAI. The Accuracy and Distance Parameters Established Should be Based on Glider Performance Data, Current Winds, Runway Surface, and Density Altitude. As a Guideline, a Maximum Distance of 400 Feet Would be Acceptable for a Schweizer 2-33 Glider.
• Log Dual Time in Gliders with an Instructor during which at Least 2 Accuracy Landings are Made without Reference to the Altimeter to Simulate Off-field Landings.
• Pass a Closed Book Written Examination Covering Cross-country Techniques and Knowledge. The Minimum Passing Score is 80%. This Examination is Administered Only by an SSAI.

World Distance Award

On Jan 1, 1992, The Soaring Society of America Board of Directors approved the World Distance Award. The purpose of the award is to promote and encourage cross-country soaring on a long term basis. The award is presented to pilots who accumulate through a series of cross-country soaring flights a total of 40,000 km, the distance around the earth. There is no time limit for accumulating the total distance.

This award is conducted on the honor system. Turnpoints do no have to be declared prior to take off. No barograph or GPS trace is rquired. Any reported flight distance must be greater that 50 km after being corrected for the difference between start and finish altitude as stated in the Guidelines. There is no documentation to submit other than the pilots yearly distance accumulation. The distance accumulation is to be reported to the WDA Administrator when each 5,000 km level is achieved or at least the end of each year. A one time registration fee of $20 is required at the time of registration.

Certificates will be awarded to participants for each 5,000 km distance level achieved distance and name of pilot will be reported in Soaring Magazine.. Upon achieving 40,000 km, a ring, representing an orbit of the earth, will be made available to the pilot at a nominal cost. This ring is designed to attach to any FAI Silver, Gold, or Diamond badge.