Bronze Badge Exam preparation

Air Law and BGA Operational Regulations

Laws and Rules for Glider Pilots is the main source of information here, and essential reading. Download the latest revision from the BGA web site: www.gliding.co.uk/forms/lawsandrules.pdf.

Airmanship

This section is generally common sense but most of the answers are in Laws and Rules. For medical questions try Trevor Thoms "The Air Pilot's Manual" Section 6 - Human Factors and Pilot Performance. I don't suggest you buy this but borrow a copy from someone.

Meteorology

This section can get messy as meteorology is a vast science. Depends how serious you want to read into it. Tom Bradbury's "Meteorology and Flight" is excellent but incredibly complex. There is a section in Steve Longlands "BGA Instructor Manual" which is quite adequate.

Navigation (Part 1)

Try Trevor Thoms "The Air Pilot's Manual" Section 3 - Air Navigation, has virtually everything that is required (best to borrow this series unless you are seriously going to take up power flying). Some questions relevant to gliding only are covered in Laws and Rules for Glider Pilots.

Principles of Flight

Steve Longland's "The British Gliding Association Manual" (hardback and an addition to the BGA Instructor Manual folder) is excellent for this, worth buying a signed copy from the club!

Some of the instrument technical questions are dealt adequately in Helmut Reichmann's "Cross-Country Soaring". This is the racing sailplane pilot's bible to cross-country soaring and is worth buying if you are seriously considering competitive gliding.

Radiotelephony

All covered adequately in Laws and Rules for Glider Pilots.

Navigation (Part 2)

See comments on Navigation (Part 1).

Bronze Exam Content and Pass Mark

The Bronze exam is in 7 parts, these are:

  1. Air Law and BGA Operational Regulations - 20 questions
  2. Airmanship - 10 questions
  3. Meteorology - 10 questions
  4. Navigation (Part 1) - 10 questions
  5. Principles of Flight - 10 questions
  6. Radio Telephony - 5 questions
  7. Navigation (Part 2) - 10 questions

The pass mark is 70% in each section (80% required in the Radio Telephony section.)

Time Allowed:

There is no time limit but I suggest that 90 minutes is more than adequate.

What to bring

You will need to bring the following to the exam:

  • Pen (Black/Blue)
  • Ruler (Aviation marked is allowed)
  • Protractor (Aviation marked is allowed)
  • Marker Pen for Map
  • Calculator (only if you want)
  • Map (Southern England and Wales)
  • Bronze Claim Form (to be signed after successful completion).

Recommended books and websites

You can download from these links a compilation of all the possible questions and answers.