Aug – Sept 21

Rising to a challenge led to a flight visiting three countries in one day, starting and finishing from the same airfield. Read about this in the Aug/Sept issue of S&G, which also reports on when one pilot’s only option was to land on a lake. Find out about a record-breaking 12-hour flight, and the impact of the green revolution on towing gliders.

When a flight over England and Wales was suggested, Chris Gill thought he may as well cross the border into Scotland before heading for home. The 580km task, Lleweni Parc-Crewe East-Gretna Service-Crewe East-Lleweni Parc, looked straightforward in Denbigh’s Arcus; the only issue would be navigating airspace. The forecast showed enough promise on 16 April and Chris was able to complete the task with Chris Bowden. An epic feat over three countries, thanks to the quiet times resulting from Covid and a little help from Manchester ATC.

Oystein Bjorklund was on his way to do a 350km task in comfortable soaring conditions, but minutes later found himself sitting on the wing of his Discus in a lake being towed sideways ashore by a boat. The lake is 650 feet down the extended centreline at the end of the runway at Oystein’s club in Norway. When the tug had engine problems at 130ft, his first impulse was to turn the glider around and force it back towards the airfield. This would not have ended well. Oystein believes that visualising landing straight ahead into the lake each time he goes through pre-flight checks is the only reason he was able to make the right choices that day.

In March, French pilots Baptiste Innocent and Gil Souviron broke two European Open Class records in Gil’s Stemme S12. Using a remote start/finish, they flew two out-and-return legs from the Mediterranean, along the Pyrenees and back. On the final leg, they flew 80km out over the Mediterranean Sea. The flight lasted 12-hours; the two had prepared well mentally and had the right gear to combat freezing temperatures. Spanish and French air traffic control were also helpful due to decreased traffic. Baptiste said: “We were alone in the world. Over the sea. That was crazy, but the sun was behind us, it was 6pm and the temperature was minus 35 degrees. I was freezing cold, but it’s magic.”

As electric cars start to become the norm, what impact will this have on gliding – specifically towing gliders? John Watkinson explains that the bigger the tow vehicle, the longer it takes to charge. Towing a glider, you might spend as long charging the car as driving it when you would rather be flying. This may be an academic problem, because a car towing a glider won’t fit in a charging bay. Need a retrieve? With an electric car you can forget it. As things stand there is no viable electric solution for towing a glider.

Also in this issue: BGA Chairman Andy Perkins welcomes the weather and more freedom of movement. Benjie Ambler is in the spotlight for our pilot profile. Pete Stratten looks at the impact of UK airspace changes. Chris Basham and Craig Lowrie pay tribute to Dick Dixon. Andrea Venturini talks to top Italian pilot Alex Busca about his love of long-distance flights. How LX Nav’s HAWK enables real-time wind indication. Chris Lewis reflects on a last flight before lockdown. Paul Fritche reviews G Dale’s latest book The Soaring Engine Volume 4. Ebenezer Grimshaw probes the evil that lurks under the surface for newbies and for the more experienced. Kevin Atkinson investigates the thermal factory catalyst. Dave Martin explains how enhancing an airfield’s environment for wildlife can attract grants. Alison Randle looks at life after a pandemic. Pete Stratten reports on a world of moving goalposts. Joey Beard reports on the 621 VGS Historic Flight. John Archer shares a tale of how things never go as expected when landing out. The BGA safety team looks at how gliders with retractable engines can avoid field landing accidents. Plus many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages.

Fly safely and have fun