About the RAFSA Wings Award Scheme

For RAFSA Flying Schools

RAF Sport Aircraft (RAFSA) Flying Schools are committed to developing their pilot's skills and knowledge through continued training and stretching their personal flying boundaries. The following details the requirements at each level. The scheme starts with a deliberately low entry standard to encourage the new pilot to engage with the scheme and encourage an early start to building on their initial PPL/LAPL award.

RAFSA Cadet Pilot Wings

Going solo is one of the most memorable achievements for a Pilot. The RAFSA Cadet Pilot Wings are awarded after the 1st Solo is successfully completed and the Pilot commits to attending a suitable event in training.

RAFSA Pilot Wings

After you have achieved your PPL/NPPL/LAPL the RAFSA Pilot Wings are awarded after a solo cross country flight to a new destination (including a planned controlled airspace crossing) and an approved event is attended.

RAFSA Bronze Wings

For those with 100hrs total time and 50hrs PIC.  You will need to complete a cross-country flight distance of 200 nm or greater with at least two intermediate take-offs or landings. You will also need at least one flying achievement from the approved list and attend 2 of the approved events.

RAFSA Silver Wings

For those with 200hrs total time and 100hrs PIC.  You will need to complete a cross-country flight distance of 300 nm or greater with at least two intermediate take-offs or landings. (which aligns to the CPL cross-country qualification flight). You will also need at least 2 flying achievements from the approved list and attend 3 of the approved events.

RAFSA Gold Wings

The highest level of achievement, it is for those with 400hrs total time and 200hrs PIC.  You will need to complete a cross-country flight distance of 400 nm or greater with at least three intermediate take-offs or landings.. You will also need at least 3 flying achievements from the approved list and attend 4 of the approved events.

Previous RAFFCA Wings

Those holders of previous RAFFCA Wings can ask their CFI for a new certificate, or just order the wings that match their RAFFCA Wings attainment level. They can carry on up the attainment levels of the new RAFSA scheme from where they left off. Details of the legacy RAFFCA scheme are here: http://www.raffcawings.co.uk

RAFSA Approved Flying Achievement List

Pilot qualifications:

 

·       Night Rating

·       IR(Restricted) Rating

·       Instrument Rating

·       Aerobatics Rating or Certificate

·       Addition to EASA PPL of another class rating (SEP, TMG, MEP)

·       Addition to NPPL of another class rating (SSEA, SLMG or Microlight)

·       Class Rating Instructor, Flight Instructor or Flight Examiner

·       Display Authorisation (MAA or CAA)

·       Air Cadet Organisation Gliding Instructor Category

·       Royal Aero Club Race Authorisation

·       British Aerobatic Association Proficiency Approval

·       Formation Flying Course Completion

·       Differences training on complex features (eg. retractable gear, VP propeller, turbo charger, pressurisation, nose-wheel to tail-wheel and vice versa), microlights, aeroplanes with single power lever controls and aircraft with electronic (‘glass’) flight instruments.

 

Associated Qualifications:

 

·       Air Ground Radio Operators' Certificate of Competence (Mil or Civ)

·       Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer

·       LAA Inspector

·       Light Aircraft Engineer

·       National Governing Body recognition and other awards (like the Honourable Company of Air Pilot's Master Air Pilot or Master Air Navigator awards)

 

Other Achievements will be considered on a case by case basis; RAFSA member clubs are encouraged to develop and submit additional awards for approved listing.

RAFSA Approved Event Listing

·       GASCo Safety Evening or Flight Safety Forum

·       British Aerobatics Association or RAFSA Aerobatic Competition 

·       RAFSA AGM

·       Flight Instructor Refresher Seminar

·       Military Civil Air Safety Day

·       Weather School courses (various providers)

·       Royal Aero Club handicapped Air Race

·       Royal Institute of Navigation Top Nav Competition

·       British Precision Flying Association Precision Flying Competition

·       NATS visit with infringements presentation

·      General Aviation Sea Survival Course

·      Attend a Manufacturer’s briefing/workshop on Flight Planning Software

·      Attend a Manufacturer’s briefing/workshop on GPS/GNSS use

·       MAA Flight Safety Officers' Course or Human Factors Facilitators' Course

·       MAA Flying Supervisors' Course or Flying Authorisers' Course

·       UK Flt Safety Committee safety officers' course

·       LAA aircraft maintenance courses

 

Evidence of attendance should be obtained. Other Events will be considered on a case by case basis by the RAFSA Trustees; RAFSA Flying Schools are encouraged to develop and submit additional events for approved listing.