Please wait...

Read in over 50 countries worldwide

August – September 2014

From top tips for early cross-country pilots to achieve faster flights and greater distances to the challenges ofGrand Prix racing, you can read about it in the Aug/Sept issue of S&G. You can also find out what it is like to fly the ASG 32 and reflect on whether now is a golden age of gliding.

If you want to make the most of the day – and move your performance up a notch – see this issue’s Ask the Coach feature, which looks at techniques to help up-and-coming pilots increase their task speed and conquer greater distances. Tony Cronshaw shares top tips from leading coaches Kevin Atkinson and Bernard Eckey.

Phil King had a distance challenge in mind when he set a 500km task on 19 March. Falling short by just 28km, Phil’s wave flight is still thought to be the longest distance flown entirely in Wales.

Mike Young is no stranger to fast speeds over long distances. He recently represented Great Britain in the finals of the World Sailplane Grand Prix at Sisteron and reflects on the challenges of a brutal scoring system that can take you from hero to zero (or vice versa), while encouraging a less conservative style of flying.

The maiden flight of Schleicher’s ASG 32 took place in Germany on 31 May. Australian coach Bernard Eckey was invited to fly it just a few days later and says that, being designed without compromises, it has what it takes to become the leading model in the 20m two-seater FAI class.

Mike Bird looks at how modern wing sections and materials yielded great improvements in performance between the 1950s and 1980s, with smaller gains since. Where, wonders Mike, is the next S-curve coming from?

Also in this issue: EuroFOX in display first at AeroExpo, Sywell. Mick Hunton and Andy Monk reflect on how much beginners can achieve on a well-organised expedition to Sisteron. Tim Scorer offers advice on forming a syndicate. Steve Pozerskis explains why preparation really is the key to success when competing. Bernard Eckey continues the debate on water ballast with his opinion on the pros and cons. Susan Newby meets the group of glider pilots invited to take part in Duxford’s D-Day 70th anniversary airshow. Ed Foxon recounts the tale of a nightmare retrieve. Frank Mcloughlin explains how he helped rewire a glider. Andrew Stewart reflects on an enjoyment of flying shared with artist Alan Davie. Development Officer Alison Randle reminds clubs of the resources available to them online. Pete Stratten has advice on keeping your licence valid. Bruce Stephenson reports on vintage events. Plus, there are many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages.

Fly safely and have fun

Susan Newby
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
Learning how to go faster

Tony Cronshaw asks leading coaches Kevin Atkinson and Bernard Eckey for tips to help early cross-country pilots break through to faster flights and greater distances

 

Hero to zero: Grand Prix racing

Mike Young reports from the finals of the 5th World Sailplane Grand Prix, which encourages a less conservative style of flying by pilots

ASG 32: set to be a leader?

Bernard Eckey is invited to fly Schleicher’s newest entry in the 20m two-seater class

Introduction to the Alps

Mick Hunton and Andy Monk report on an RAFGSA visit to Sisteron and reflect on how much beginners can achieve on a well-organised expedition

 

Glider development: a golden age?

Modern wing sections and materials yielded great improvements in performance over a 30-year period between the 1950s and the 1980s. However, in the past 30 years the gains have been much smaller. Mike Bird ponders where the next S-curve is coming from

Plan to form a syndicate?

Tim Scorer offers advice on getting it right from the start

Be prepared

First competition coming up? Steve Pozerskis talks from experience when he says that preparation really is the key to success when competing

Water: help or hindrance?

Continuing a series of articles on water ballast, Australian coach Bernard Eckey offers his expert opinion on the pros and cons

Duxford's D-Day anniversary airshow

Susan Newby joins the group of glider pilots invited to take part in Duxford’s D-Day 70th anniversary airshow. Vintage and modern sailplanes take to the skies to reflect gliding’s war role

 

A tale of the unexpected

When Ed Foxon responded to a plea for extra help with a retrieve, he had no idea what lay ahead in this anonymous tale of misadventure

So close to a wave dream

On 19 March, Phil King aimed for a 500km in Welsh wave. Falling short by just 28km, could this be the longest flight in Wales?

Wiring quest

Northumbria GC’s Frank Mcloughlin uses his sound system engineering experience to help rewire a member’s glider

Art of gliding

Andrew Stewart reflects on an enjoyment of flying shared with artist and glider pilot Alan Davie, who dies in April, aged 94

Keeping your licence valid

BGA Chief Executive Pete Stratten advises licence holders on the responsibility of maintaining requirements for rolling recency

Also in this issue:

BGA news; your letters; Gliding Gallery; obituaries; Club Gallery; Club Focus – Bristol & Gloucestershire; club news; Vintage gliding; BGA badges; incident and accident summaries

Subscribe by direct debit now to save 50% on your subscription

Subscribe Now