Revamped Declaration & Badge Claim: Simpler, Streamlined, Better!

As we head into another soaring season, we have made some changes to the badge claim process on the JustGo website which we hope will significantly improve the claims process for both Pilots and Official Observers. There has been a redesign of how pilots make a declaration, lodge a badge claim, and apply for an Australian record flight. The new pages will guide you more clearly through the process and will make the task easier for both pilots and Official Observers.

The key improvements include:

1. The cost of processing a badge claim has been removed. However, a charge will still apply to any claims for Australian Records.
2. There has been a complete rewrite of the 3 forms: Badge Declaration, Badge Claim, and Initial Record Notification The information collected has been simplified and a more modern looking tool, Jotforms, is being used to collect the information. Please familiarise yourself with the process by having a look at the badge claim area of the JustGo and working through some of the questions asked in the three areas (please stop short of submitting a declaration or claim though).
3. The Badge claim form can now be submitted by the Official Observer or Pilot.
4. Access to the forms has been improved. The forms can still be accessed via the JustGo menu but are now also under the Glidingaustralia.org > Member Services > Soaring Development. The link is here.

We expect these changes will make it much easier to lodge a claim and therefore support more pilots applying for badges. If you are thinking about badge flights this year, why not talk to an OO today to plan what flights you might attempt and work through the system to be prepared for the day when you will attempt the flight. You will then be more likely to meet the requirements for the flight and ensure a valid claim.

Thanks must go to Beryl Hartley, Sarah Thompson and Sharon Brunton who worked hard on designing and implementing the changes. Well done!

Safe flying and we look forward to seeing your badge claim in the months ahead.

Craig Vinall
Soaring Development Panel