The Soaring Society of America (SSA) administers the A, B, C, and Bronze badge program and is designed to prepare applicants for cross country soaring. It provides a basic approach to flying for the student glider pilot as well as to give accomplished power pilots the necessary points unique to soaring so that the transition may be made safely.  A, B, C, and Bronze badges are issued directly by designated SSA instructors. The A, B, C, and Bronze requirements are:

• A badge
• B badge
• C badge
• Bronze badge

The bronze badge requires a, closed book, written test.

• Bronze badge practice and final tests

Higher awards must be witnessed by an official observer and are submitted to the FAI for approval. An official observer must hold a B badge or better. The SSA is the national soaring representative to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) which issues the internationally recognized Silver, Gold, and Diamond badges.

Note that for national or world records, you must have an FAI Sporting License. This used to be included as part of your SSA membership but, as of 1 January, 2007, must be obtained separately (and before your record flight). A Sporting License is not required for badges, diplomas, US contests, state records, US trophies, lennie pins, nor the Hilton Cup.

Established in the 1930's, Fédération Aéronautique Internationale badges acknowledge internationally-recognized levels of soaring achievement. The hundreds of Badge applications reviewed by SSA's Badge and Record office each year reflect the popularity of this challenging and rewarding program, administered in compliance with the FAI Sporting Code. For more information, see the SSA badges and records website.