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Aug-Sept 23

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From a 1,400km triangle that pushed the limits to turning Snowdon during a badge flight, you can read about it in the Aug/Sept issue. You can also discover more about the platform connecting the worldwide gliding community and learn why so many international teams choose a competition in Southern Germany to warm up for the season.

Baptiste Innocent has been flying in Fayence, France, for more than 20 years and had always been surprised by the mistral days which create beautiful thermal conditions. On 25 April, conditions made possible a triangle of over 1,400km from Fayence via Corsica to Sardinia, then crossing to Italy and returning to France. Baptiste says that exploring Sardinia was more than an objective, it was essential in order to push the limits of possible great triangle distances. He is now waiting for the next suitable weather conditions, which unfortunately are rather rare.

When Jordan Johnson’s home club, Bidford, was not flying due to a waterlogged field, he decided to take his ASW 20 up to the Mynd. A club member there mentioned that only rarely do glider pilots turn Snowdon due to the challenges it presents and that probably nobody has ever turned the peak for a badge claim flight. This increased Jordan’s desire to achieve just this and, on his first cross-country of the year, he achieved his Diamond goal turning Snowdon.

Hahnweide is a competition in Southern Germany that many international teams choose as the perfect way to warm up for the season. There is a ‘die-hard’ group of Brits that have been doing the comp for years and never miss one. Paul Fritche was finally persuaded to take part in the competition’s 55th year. It is a challenging place to fly but beautiful and rewarding, with medieval castles perched on hilltops. The competition ended with a podium lock out for the Brits in the Standard Class – Paul taking first place. Paul says it is a privilege to meet glider pilots from around the world and that we’re a special breed that communicates in a way that transcends such simple barriers as language.

WeGlide is a platform connecting the worldwide gliding community and aiming to make the sport more accessible. In the first of a three-part series, Joshua Rieger explains the background to WeGlide – a digital platform that combines comprehensive evaluation and analysis tools with social interaction. The platform is not just for top pilots, but anyone who is fascinated by gliding. You can share the highlights of your latest flight, adding photos to your interactive flight path. The most frequently used tool on WeGlide is the filtering function. Here you can select flight stories from your own country or analyse the flight style of others and learn from them.

Also in this issue: BGA Chairman Andy Perkins looks at how technology is being used more in gliding and the strength of our collective voice. Merlin Ohta is in the spotlight for our pilot profile. Justin Wills reflects that seeking out lines of atmospheric energy is a never ending quest. Dave Unwin reports on a disconcerting incident in the tug cockpit. Paul Maddocks continues the tale of how an imported K-2b was restored to its former glory. Two book reviews: Flight not improbable and Sky Stories 2. John Wright remembers a landout from hell. Grimshaw probes yet another unspeakable aspect of our strange aerial sport. Kevin Atkinson talks about the one-second window. Alison Randle looks at securing project funding. Pete Stratten looks at how aviation law is evolving. Andrew Jarvis reports on vintage events. The BGA Safety Team discusses some of the snags with interpreting stats. Joey Beard highlights the Head in the Clouds initiative to raise mental awareness in gliding. Plus, many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages.

 

 

Fly safely and have fun

Susan Newby
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
Pilot profile: Merlin Ohta

In the spotlight for this issue’s Pilot Profile is Southdown GC’s Merlin Ohta. Merlin started gliding in 2019 and has a keen interest in aerobatics. This summer she will be competing in her first Junior Nationals, at Gransden Lodge, flying a Standard Cirrus

Pushing the limits

The seemingly impossible was achieved by Baptiste Innocent in April – a triangle of over 1,400km, from Fayence via Corsica to Sardinia, then crossing to Italy and returning to France

A beautiful place to hone flying skills

What is the attraction of a competition in Southern Germany, and why do so many international teams choose it as a warm up for the season? Paul Fritche reports

Take the next step

In the first of a three-part series Joshua Rieger reports on WeGlide, the platform connecting the worldwide gliding community and aiming to make the sport more accessible

Lines of enquiry

Seeking out lines of atmospheric energy is a never ending quest, writes Justin Wills. Flying techniques have evolved as pilots challenge assumptions and glider performance improves

From the cockpit

There’s a loud CRACK, the right pedal lurches forward and the tug’s rudder seems to no longer work. What would YOU do? This was a situation faced by Dave Unwin

Isovaalee is restored to former glory

Continuing the story of a K-2b imported from Finland by Paul Maddocks, with its restoration, repairs, certification and the subsequent first flights of Isovaalee

Turning Snowdon

With Diamond height in the bag, Jordan Johnson achieves Diamond goal on his first cross-country of the year and wonders if he is the first person to turn Snowdon during a badge flight

Book reviews

Two titles reviewed: Flight not improbable, by Simine Short; and Sky Stories 2, by Dave Unwin

Cowmageddon

John Wright tells the tale of what started as an innocent phone call, resulting in the landout from hell and a lengthy battle to stave off 30 Spawn of Satan dribbling beasts

Advisory 32: Land-Out Aversion

Recognising the symptoms… how to deal with it… Grimshaw probes yet another unspeakable aspect of our strange aerial sport

Atkinson’s law: Skill drill number three

Kevin Atkinson looks at the one-second window

Securing project grant funding

Alison Randle offers advice on how clubs can secure funding

Staying aware of our responsibilities

BGA CEO Pete Stratten looks at how aviation law is evolving

When our history is up in the air

Rhönbussard brings a touch of class to proceedings at Usk, while a unique visiting aircraft with a special pedigree makes a welcome appearance at Lasham. VGC President Andrew Jarvis reports

Problems with probabilities

The BGA Safety Team discusses some of the snags with interpreting statistics

Also in this issue:

BGA news; opinion; Gliding Gallery; Club Gallery; Club Focus – Dartmoor; development news; news; BGA badges; obituaries; incident and accident summaries; AAIB bulletin

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