December – January 2009
Thermals may have taken on a new significance of late, but that has not stopped many of you from taking every opportunity to fly and broaden your horizons, as you can read in the December-January issue of S&G.
Some, like Adrian Lyth, left the UK behind to seek new flying challenges. A brief taste of flying at La Motte had left Adrian wanting more. He returned to the French club this summer and found an unbeatable combination of very friendly people, great flying and low-cost. La Motte’s CFI, Jacques Noel, took our stunning cover picture, which shows an ASK 13 winch-launched at La Motte and soaring along the ‘Wall of Auribeau’.
Our great British summer continued to prove challenging for the nationals, with some comps managing just the one flying day. Don’t miss my favourite comp report from S&G’s canine reporter, Ella, who reveals that bad weather was only very briefly interrupted by flying time, making it a dog’s life at the Standard Class Nationals. Along with other competition reports, we’ve got all the UK nationals and regional results in this issue, plus the BGA Provisional Ratings.
If you want to play your part in making the skies a safer place for us all, take a look at Hugh Woodsend’s Lessons to be learned. Hugh has taken a look back over several years to identify Airprox trends relating to glider incidents.
Jochen Ewald takes to the skies in Schneider’s last racer, the LS10st, and finds an improved and more spacious cockpit interior in an easy-to-fly and competitive glider.
Also in this issue: BGA Chairman Patrick Naegeli outlines the essential role of the European Gliding Union as a focal point for national gliding bodies, such as the BGA, in influencing EASA. BGA Chief Executive Pete Stratten highlights new and developing services offered to member clubs and individuals. Midland GC discovers that you don’t need to take a high-tech glider to air shows to create that wow factor and attract new members. Don Puttock considers the human factors that can affect the overall safety of the very early stages of a winch launch. Jochen Ewald reports on the highlights of the Idaflieg summer meeting. BGA Communications Officer Keith Auchterlonie reports on the Festival of Flight – a BGA-backed project that is introducing students from ethnic minorities to flying. We’ve some suggestions for you on good books to curl up with as the nights draw in, and some stunning pictures for you to feast your eyes on in S&G’s Gliding Gallery.
Season’s greetings to all and I wish you a very happy new year.
Susan Newby
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
Fly-In fun for Air League
This year’s Air League Fly-In and Gliding Day achieved its objectives of flying, more flying and fun, reports Stuart Redman
Attracting new members
Midland GCs presence at two very different air shows proved it’s not essential to take along a high-tech glider to create that wow factor. Chris Ellis reports
Lessons to be learned
Hugh Woodsend looks back over recent years at Airprox trends relating to gliding incidents and identifies what glider pilots can do to make the skies a safer place for everyone
Schneider’s last racer
Jochen Ewald climbs into the cockpit of the LS10st to find better ergonomics, safety and more room in this easy-to-fly and competitive glider
From ground run and transition to full speed
Don Puttock makes use of his rear seat observations on several thousand training flights to consider the human factors that can affect the overall safety of the very early stages of a winch launch
Exploring new possibilities
Jochen Ewald reports on this summer’s research meeting of the German Akafliegs
Eye-opening project
Communications Officer Keith Auchterlonie reports on a BGA-backed project that has challenged stereotypes and introduced students from ethnic minorities to flying
Curl up with a good book
With the nights drawing in and Christmas on its way, we have taken a look at some books you might want to add to your present wishlist – or maybe you would like to treat yourself
Mountain flying – La Motte du Caire style
Adrian Lyth experiences some unique flying opportunities at La Motte, a French club that has the overall feel of a small UK club and whose high-profile CFI, Jacques Noel, makes a point of welcoming every pilot by name
Teams dreams unfulfilled at Lüsse
Team captain Harry Middleton gives the low-down on the flapped classes at this year’s Worlds at Lüsse
It pays to know when to pounce
With just one flying day, the Grand Prix was still definitely an experience not to be missed, says Chris Curtis
The sniffer reports
With bad weather only very briefly interrupted by flying time, it was a dog’s life at the Standards, says Ella
A closely-fought contest
Jane Randle reports on a nail-biting finish to a four-day low-scoring competition held in indifferent weather
New kids on the block
Dan Pitman looks at how the new Ventus 2cxaj and the JS1 Revelation stood up to the dominance of ASG 29s
Making the most of opportunities
There were just two flying days (but a lot more party days) for the 2008 Juniors, reports Tim Macfadyen
Also in this issue:
BGA news; your letters; BGA update on meeting your gliding needs; Tailfeathers; BGA Provisional Ratings List; Competition results; Gliding Gallery; obituaries; club gallery; club focus – Peterborough & Spalding; club news
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