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Written by: Hennie Brink on Aug 24, 2024

Pushing Your Limits: Skill Progression and Leaderboards with Gaggle

There’s a thrill in reaching new heights—both literally and figuratively. With Gaggle’s Achievement Badges and Leaderboards, pilots are constantly challenged to improve their skills and push beyond their comfort zones. Whether it’s earning your next badge, climbing the leaderboard, or outpacing your friends, Gaggle is here to help you fly higher, farther, and faster. 🚀

But as much as we love to compete, safety always comes first. So while we encourage you to test your limits, do so with caution and respect for the skies. Now, let’s dive into how Gaggle can fuel your progression and help you take your flying game to the next level!

Achievement Badges: Unlock Your Full Potential

Gaggle’s Achievement Badges are designed to track your progression as a pilot. Each badge celebrates a new milestone, pushing you to soar higher, fly longer, and achieve more with each flight. Here are some of the badges waiting to be unlocked:

Season Soarer

Earn this badge by logging 2 hours of flight time per month for 12 consecutive months. It’s all about consistency and dedication—your path to becoming a flying machine!

Cloud Surfer

Reach new heights with the Cloud Surfer badge by achieving altitude milestones after 15 minutes of flight. Bronze starts at 5,000ft, Silver at 8,000ft, and Gold at an impressive 10,000ft. Can you rise above the clouds? 🌥️

Airtime Addict

For the diehard pilots who just can’t get enough airtime, this badge rewards you for cumulative flight hours. Fly 10 hours in a month for Bronze, 50 hours in a season for Silver, and 150 hours in a year for Gold. Just be sure to keep up the streak—it resets after three months!

Eagle Eyed

This badge is for altitude climbers. If you enjoy gaining height above the ground, then the Eagle Eyed badge is perfect for you. Achieve 2,000ft above ground level for Bronze, 4,000ft for Silver, and 8,000ft for Gold. The higher you soar, the closer you are to earning the ultimate Eagle Eyed badge!

Gaggle Streak

Log 25 flights in a year with Gaggle to earn the Gaggle Streak badge. Keep recording your flights, and don’t let the streak slip away!

Annual Adventurer

This badge is exclusively for subscribers of Gaggle’s annual Adventurer plan. It’s a badge of honor that shows your dedication to mastering the skies with the best tools at your fingertips.

And remember, your progress isn’t just about badges. Gaggle tracks your Personal Bests too, like longest flight time, max altitude, and even G-Force—so you can constantly measure your growth.


Leaderboards: The Ultimate Challenge

For those who thrive on competition, Gaggle’s Leaderboards take skill progression to a whole new level. Not only do they offer a way to compare your performance with fellow pilots, but they also encourage friendly rivalry in your groups. Compete with your friends or join public leaderboards to see who truly rules the skies! Here’s how you can dominate:

Altitude Leaderboard

Challenge your fellow pilots by reaching the highest sustained altitude. To score big, maintain your maximum altitude for at least 10 seconds during your flight. Can you claim the top spot?

FAI Triangle

Test your navigation skills by flying a route that forms an FAI Triangle. Each side of the triangle must be at least 28% of the total flight distance. Precision is key—so plan your route and aim for the perfect triangle!

Free Triangle

Want a little more freedom in your flight path? The Free Triangle leaderboard is scored similarly to the FAI Triangle but allows for more flexibility. Each side must be 15-45% of the total distance flown. It’s a balance of distance and strategy!

Flight Time

Think you can outlast everyone? Compete on the Flight Time Leaderboard by logging the longest airtime in your group. Keep soaring, and you might just find yourself at the top. 🕒

Speed Section

For the speed demons out there, the Speed Section leaderboard measures every quarter mile of your flight for the fastest speed. Can you be the quickest pilot around? Buckle up and find out!

Total Distance

How far can you fly? The Total Distance Leaderboard tracks the ground distance covered in each flight, rewarding pilots who push themselves to cover more ground than ever before. Aim for those long cross-country flights!

Turn Point

This leaderboard rewards pilots who can execute complex maneuvers. Fly from a start point, hit your intermediate turn points, and land away from your starting point. Strategy and skill are key to winning here!

Out and Return

Fly from a start point, navigate around two turn points, and return to the start to score on the Out and Return Leaderboard. This is a true test of endurance, navigation, and precision!

Waypoint Hunt

Love exploring? The Waypoint Hunt Leaderboard is perfect for adventurous pilots. Collect waypoints throughout your flying career, and earn points for each one found. It’s a fun way to discover new locations while scoring big!


Progress Safely, Push the Limits

While the badges and leaderboards add an element of fun and competition, we cannot stress enough the importance of safety. Pushing your limits is exciting, but make sure you’re flying within your skill level, regularly inspecting your equipment, and keeping an eye on the weather.

By setting personal goals, staying aware of your environment, and using Gaggle’s flight data for informed decision-making, you can push your skills to new heights—safely. After all, nothing beats the feeling of mastering a new achievement or topping a leaderboard with confidence and control.


So, what are you waiting for? Whether you’re working towards your next badge or climbing the leaderboard, Gaggle is here to help you progress, stay safe, and enjoy the thrill of the skies. Let’s fly higher, faster, and farther—together! 💪🪂