UK Virtual Gliding Association (UKVGA)

To attain the A Badge:

You must execute a flight, connected online to VATSIM with the words "Glider - UK VIRTUAL GLIDING ASSOCIATION" entered in the comments box of the VATSIM flight plan.
You must launch from a winch launch in one of the Club's official 2-seat training aircraft. (See below for aircraft information).
The launch height must be no more than 1000ft (which is 1000ft above aerodrome level) and the flight must end with a landing back at the same airfield.
Following the flight a Pilot Report (PIREP) must be filed on the UKVGA website.
You can claim your badge award using the online claim form here.

To attain the B Badge:

You must already hold Badge A.
You must execute a flight, connected online to VATSIM with the words "Glider - UK VIRTUAL GLIDING ASSOCIATION" entered in the comments box of the VATSIM flight plan.
You must launch from a winch launch in one of the Club's official 2-seat training aircraft. (See below for aircraft information).
The launch height must be no more than 1000ft (which is 1000ft above aerodrome level) and the flight must end with a landing back at the same airfield.
During the flight, a height gain of at least 500 feet must be achieved (See the definition of a height gain below).
Following the flight a Pilot Report (PIREP) must be filed on the UKVGA website.
You can claim your badge award using the online claim form here.

To attain the Bronze Badge:

You must already hold Badge B.
You must execute either: at least 50 flights or: at least 20 flights and 10 hours.
All flights must be connected online to VATSIM with the words "Glider - UK VIRTUAL GLIDING ASSOCIATION" entered in the comments box of the VATSIM flight plan.
The first 20 flights must be launched from either a winch or aerotow launch in one of the Club’s official single-seat or 2-seat training aircraft (See below for aircraft information). After 20 flights any other glider may be used although there is a Club preference for the ASW28.
Two of the flights must each have been a soaring flight of either: 30 minutes each (if launched by winch not exceeding 1000 feet) or: 60 minutes each (if launched from an aerotow not exceeding 2000 feet).
Following each flight a Pilot Report (PIREP) must be filed on the UKVGA website.
You can claim your badge award using the online claim form here.

Official Club Training aircraft:

There are four 2-seat training aircraft, the Schleicher Ka2, Ka7 and ASK13 and the Let Blanik L-13. The registrations of these are G-VGTA, G-VGTB, G-VGTC and G-VGTD.
There are two single-seat training aircraft, the Schleicher Ka6E and Ka8. The registrations of these are G-VGTE and G-VGTF.
For FS9 users these are all available with the VET winch launch simulation.
FSX users may use either WinchX! or the VET launch simulation.
Note that the aircraft fitted with the VET launch capability cannot be launched by aerotow. In order to launch using aerotow, it is necessary to use the aircraft versions without VET fitted.
Grateful thanks are due to Wolfgang Piper for his wonderful work in producing the base versions of these gliders.

Definition of a Height Gain:

A height gain is measured during a soaring flight, i.e. between the end of the launch to the end of the flight.
The height gain is the difference between the maximum altitude and a previous minimum altitude during the soaring flight.

To attain the Silver Badge

To attain the Gold Badge

To attain the Diamond Badge

You must already hold the Gold Badge.
Height gain of 5000m (16405ft) or more.
Distance flight of 500km or more in total.
A declared goal flight of 300km distance over a pre-specified straight out-return or triangular course.
You can claim your badge award using the online claim form here.

Notes regarding Silver, Gold and Diamond badges:

All qualifying flights must be accompanied by an IGC format flight log file produced using FSZWever View for certification.
All flights must be connected online to VATSIM with the words "Glider - UK VIRTUAL GLIDING ASSOCIATION" entered in the comments box of the VATSIM flight plan.
The height gain, duration and distance flights may be achieved separately or together. For instance, they may be gained in just one flight, or they may be achieved in 2 or 3 separate flights.
A height gain is measured during the soaring flight, i.e. between the end of the launch to the end of the flight. The height gain is the difference between the maximum altitude and a previous minimum altitude during the soaring flight.
For the diamond goal flight, the flight task must be specified before the flight starts.