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April – May 2010

If you want to try something different, discover how aerobatics can improve your skills and increase confidence. You can also find advice on how to avoid becoming an accident statistic and read a fascinating account by Justin Wills of flying in Namibia – one of the most outstanding soaring areas in the world – in the April/May issue of S&G.

As sky-watching steps up a pace, we’ve some valuable advice on keeping safe in the air and avoiding becoming an accident statistic. Andy Holmes explains how better winch driving can help pilots to fly safer winch launch rotations, Mike Fox looks at how regular spinning practice can save lives, and Andy Roch unravels the mysteries of NOTAM.

If cross-country is not your thing, or you are just looking for a new challenge, then why not consider aerobatics? Apart from being exhilarating, competitive aerobatics can improve your flying in a number of ways. Charles Baker dispels the myth that it’s all about display flying, and explains how competitive aerobatics gives a purpose to practice and a standard to aim for.

An invitation to fly an EB28 in Namibia was the first step towards an unforgettable experience for Justin Wills. One of the world’s most outstanding soaring areas, Namibia has remained a well-kept gliding secret. Justin discovered that not only is Namibia three times the size of Britain, but the factor also applied to average thermal strength, cloudbase and distance flown.

Wherever you soar, much time is spent in search of thermals. Alan Lapworth looks at the technique of using numerical modelling in researching the structure of thermals. It gives an interesting new perspective on thermal structures, but Alan cautions that the numerically-modelled weather forecast is not always right.

Also in this issue: We report on the BGA Conference and AGM, which, as BGA Chairman Patrick Naegeli reports, achieved the right balance between imparting information, recognising achievements and simply having fun. BGA Development Officer Alison Randle responds to requests for information on successful fundraising with four examples of how gliding clubs have made the most of local opportunities. Platypus talks to Nick Goodhart, the gliding ace who spent 20 years at the top. The GPS comes under the spotlight as Steve Longland continues his series on how aircraft instruments work. Mike Armstrong reports on the 25th anniversary of the national two-seater competition. Sergio Andrade explains why he and his friends are nuts about Brazil, with the help of some stunning images from Nader Couri. Alec Watt experienced flying in India at Deolali GC, where the launch point is a couple of beach chairs and signals between the launch point and the winch are provided by means of a chap with a flag. Having conducted the firstglider pilot comfort survey, Adrian Emck reports that the survey highlighted problem areas and indicated where research should be directed. Australian speed, distance and height record holder Dr Richard Q Agnew reviews the second edition of Bernard Eckey’sAdvanced Soaring Made Easy. Life-long pilot Bryce Bryce-Smith takes to the sky to celebrate his 80th birthday.

Fly safely and have fun.

Susan Newby
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
Improving your lot (with the help of someone else’s money)

Alison Randle highlights four examples of successful fundraising by gliding clubs to inspire you to look for local opportunities

BGA Conference

With rain over most of the country, it was the perfect day for the conference. Pete Stratten reports on a successful event

Try something different

Competitive aerobatics is exhilarating. It also stretches your skills and improves confidence. Charles Baker looks at the benefits of aerobatics as a mainstream alternative, or addition, to soaring

Instruments – the GPS

Arguably now the glider pilot’s default navigation device, the GPS comes under the spotlight as Steve Longland continues his series on how aircraft instruments work

Glide in Namibia

Justin Wills experiences flying at Kiripotib in southern Namibia, one of the world’s most outstanding soaring areas and yet a well-kept gliding secret amongst connoisseurs of the sky

Join in the fun

Celebrating 25 years of the national two-seater competition, Mike Armstrong looks back to a time when a group of then young instructors got together to discuss ways of getting people enthusiastic about cross-country and competitions

Structure of thermals

Much soaring time is spent in search of them, but what makes the perfect thermal? Alan Lapworth investigates

Nuts about Brazil

A group of friends with a passion for soaring set out to explore the Central Highland. Sergio Andrade tells the tale

Passage to India

Beach umbrellas for launch point and a man with a flag providing signals made gliding at Deolali an interesting addition to Alec Watt’s log book

Don’t force your mate’s crate to rotate

Better winch driving can help pilots to fly safer winch launch rotations. Andy Holmes, BGA winching adviser, explains

Going for a spin

Regular spinning practice can save lives. BGA National Coach Mike Fox looks at how to avoid becoming an accident statistic

Code breaker

Do you know your VFR FIR brief from your PIB? If you’re unsure, read on as Andrew Roch unravels the mysteries of NOTAM

Can you walk after flying?

The first glider pilot comfort survey highlighted problem areas and indicated where research should be directed, reports Adrian Emck

A family affair

Life-long pilot Bryce Bryce-Smith celebrated his 80th birthday by piloting a glider at Cambridge GC during a celebration of his 63 years in the air. His glider’s towplane was piloted by son Robert, with grandson Toby as a passenger

Also in this issue:

BGA news; your letters; Platypus interviews Nick Goodhart; Gliding Gallery; obituaries; club gallery; club focus – Welland; club news; BGA Badges; incident and accident summaries

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