August – September 2009

Find out why it pays to know how aircraft instruments work and how and when to use oxygen in the August-September issue of S&G. You can also read about discovering the perfect soaring day in New Zealand and see stunning photography captured on a day of superb visibility in the UK recently.

In the first of a series of articles, Steve Longland looks at the ASI, which despite its name doesn’t measure airspeed as such. Although aviation-related pressure instruments don’t lie (as long as they are undamaged), they may not always be telling you quite what you think, or want. If only for self-protection, it pays to know how they work and what they’re really measuring.

With increasing numbers of expeditions to the continent and further afield, where exceptional wave conditions develop, more pilots are having to consider the types of onboard oxygen systems, as well as how and when these systems are used. Junior doctor and glider pilot Aki Inaba investigates how much we really know about oxygen and gliders.

John Marsh experienced the perfect soaring day in the stunning landscape of New Zealand, land of the long white cloud, during a mountain-flying course. Closer to home, Steve Lynn and Ed Downham enjoyed a 650km flight recently from Dunstable. Steve’s stunning photography captured the superb visibility that gave the impression of flying in South Africa rather than Northamptonshire.

Jochen Ewald got his hands on Schleicher’s ASH 31Mi and says that it is a glider that gives you a lot of fun, combining the advantages of the 18m and the Open Class with the self-launching abilities of a strong and smooth-running reliable engine. With a 21m span, it fits in to a ‘standard’ trailer, while its performance is said to be not far below that of the big Open Class superships.

Also in this issue: BGA Chairman Patrick Naegeli says the timing is right for the BGA to consider and confirm what specific goals it should be looking to achieve over the next three to five years. BGA Development Officer Alison Randle shares six top tips for positive action that clubs can take to weather the recession. Derek Piggott comes under the spotlight in the Platypus Interviews. Loek Boermans continues his series on how recent aerodynamic developments at Delft University are being applied in high-performance sailplanes. Devin Giddings reports back from the Pribina Cup, the world’s biggest gliding competition, but largely ignored in the UK. There are more tips for those new to gliding in the second article in a series from Mike Fox. BG Chief Executive and CAMO Accountable Manager Pete Stratten explains what glider owners need to know to comply with Part M and stay airworthy. Four young pilots from Rattlesden, who shared the Caroline Trust Cadet of the Year title, talk about how the grants have helped them concentrate on flying rather than worrying about the money.

Fly safely and have fun.