Current Issue

Find out why big wings and flaps are addictive, discover a thermal forecasting model meeting the needs of glider pilots, and read why timely take-over is important. Plus, as the Sailplane Grand Prix returns to the UK, we learn about intense and tactical racing.

The Nimbus 2 is built for racing and Alex O’Keefe says that, whilst there’s a lot more modern stuff available for that now, she can still hold her own. After 10 years of ownership, Alex’s 2A has seen him through countless 300km, 500km and several comp wins, so it’s hard to justify changing. The cockpit is comfortable and rigging is not as arduous as many suspect. Neil Paveley has found big wings and flaps to be an addictive combination. He says that, with modest resale prices, the Nimbus 2 could have been made for Yorkshire, where value for money is appreciated and there is airspace to stretch its 20-metre wings.

Regtherm is a thermal forecasting model developed to meet the needs of glider pilots, providing a clear and structured overview of expected thermal conditions. It was developed in the 1990s by physicists and glider pilots Olivier Liechti and Bruno Neininger. Over the years, Regtherm has been continuously refined and has become a trusted reference for many pilots. Swiss paragliding pilot Daniel Moser developed the XC Therm tool in 2020. This allowed users to visualise the Regtherm data optimised for mobile devices, making it easier to plan flights. Originally developed for the Alps, XC Therm has now extended its coverage to the UK. Tobia Lezuo believes that the true value of such a model lies not only in producing better forecasts, but in fostering a deeper understanding of the atmosphere itself. This insight enables pilots to make safer and more confident decisions in the sky.

Training flights account for about one seventh of the accidents reported to the BGA, and a roughly similar fraction of associated injuries and aircraft damage. With highly trained instructors placing a priority on flight safety, they should be some of the least risky flying we do. Yet, rather too often, training accidents have occurred because instructors didn’t prevent them. Letting trainees handle the controls for longer than is sensible or useful can put the glider in a dangerous decision. The instructor’s most important task is to monitor the flight and ensure that a safe ending is always within the instructor’s own capability. It is crucial that the instructor takes control before this limit is reached and, for the greatest training value and safety, the instructor should ideally take over while it is still possible for the flight to proceed conventionally with a standard circuit. The BGA Safety Team highlights three thresholds for take-over and says that getting rid of late take-over accidents will be a major contribution to eliminating serious instructing accidents.

The FAI Sailplane Grand Prix is returning to the UK in June, with Lasham as host. The format is Grand Prix style starts and first over the line wins. Howard Jones says that the format has an intensity not replicated in conventional competition formats – it is often all or nothing. It certainly leads to intense and tactical racing. Ian MacArthur says that flying around you can generally see where you are points wise, which gives a very different psychological approach. Trailing at the back of a gaggle, even only a minute behind, can feel a lot more stressful as you could be on 0 points for the day, rather than 950pts in traditional scoring. It is different and exciting, both to fly and to watch. The event is accessible for visitors and Lasham has some great vantage points to watch the action. You can also watch online with live tracking via a dedicated Glide and Seek page.

Also in this issue: Anne Walker is in the spotlight for our pilot profile. Andy Davis provides an update on Jonker Sailplanes. Pete Stratten sees double in a retrieve from hell. An anonymous pilot describes how not to buy a glider. A cross-country doesn’t turn out as smoothly as hoped for Rex Hayden. Grimshaw answers a call of nature. Kevin Atkins looks at the WOTs and WETs in the second part of his string theory article. Peter Turner explains why a T-21B is sharing pride of place at The Helicopter Museum. Andrew Jarvis highlights the adventures of four Skylark 4s. Alison Randle looks at getting more from gliding. Pete Stratten advises us to think carefully about the airspace we fly in. Plus, many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages.

Fly safely and have fun