February – March 2015
Want to learn how to soar ridges and mountains, or discover why flights from Aboyne are awesome? You can find the answers in the Feb/March issue of S&G, which also includes evaluations of Pipistrel’s Apis/Bee, Jonker Sailplanes’ JS1C and LXNAV’s S80 standalone electronic vario.
If you are a flatlands pilot, eager to experience ridge and mountain soaring for yourself, don’t miss the first part in our Ask the Coach feature, Learn to soar ridges and mountains. Tony Cronshaw gets top tips from leading coach Bernard Eckey and the Scottish Gliding Centre’s Deputy CFI Neil Irving.
Justin Wills and Nick Gaunt both experienced outstanding flights from Aboyne during a summer that Justin says will be long remembered for its consistent soaring conditions in the UK. He rated his ‘Highland fling’ as more memorable than soaring in Morocco and the Swiss and Italian Alps earlier in the year.
On another Scottish flight, this time from Feshie, Paul Myers flew to 26,446ft. A problem with his oxygen supply prevented him from a greater height gain, but it was enough to win Paul the 2014 De Havilland Trophy, awarded for maximum gain of height.
LXNAV’s S80 is evaluated by Shaun Lapworth, who says that it takes standalone electronic varios to the next level. He declares the S80 ideal for the club and competition pilot without a big budget or with limited panel space. Also evaluated in this issue are Pipistrel’s Apis/Bee motor glider – now classed as a single-seat deregulated aircraft, and Jonker Sailplanes’ JS1C.
Also in this issue: In another tale from Down Under, ex-London GC member Mark Dalton tackles a weighty conversation and concludes that having water on is ‘A Good Thing’ if you mean business. Saz Reed talks to twonewcomers to wave in the first round of the Junior Winter Series at Portmoak. Robbie Robertson describes how the location of Black Mountains Gliding Club, on the east side of the Black Mountains in South Wales, is ideal forproducing good east wave, even in very light conditions. Alison Randle reports from the 2014 BGA Club Management Conference. Bruce Stephenson ponders whether glass is the future of vintage. Liz Sparrow highlights the results of surveys run by the BGA Comps Committee. Hugh Woodsend provides the latest Airprox Update, with the lessons that can be learnt. Greek gliding club Edessa reports on the EU funding helping them to promote gliding. Plus there are many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages.
Fly safely and have fun
Susan Newby
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
Smart vario is simple to use
Shaun Lapworth looks at LXNAV’s all-glass S80, which he says takes standalone electronic varios to the next level
Learn to soar ridges and mountains– Part 1
Tony Cronshaw talks to leading coach Bernard Eckey and Scottish Gliding Centre’s Deputy CFI Neil Irving, with tips for flatlands pilots upskilling to ridge and mountain soaring
Maiden flight from factory
Shaun Lapworth has the pleasure of flying a new JS1C out of the Jonker Sailplanes factory to Bloemfontein
In a cold and lonely place
Paul Myers reached 26,446ft during Feshie’s Octoberfest. More height could have been achieved had it not been for an oxygen problem
Highland fling
Soaring in Morocco and the Swiss and Italian Alps could not beat a memorable flight from Aboyne for Justin Wills
The elephant in the room
Mark Dalton tackles a weighty conversation and concludes that having water on is ‘A Good Thing’ if you mean business
SSDR – to Bee, or not to Bee?
As UK agent for Pipistrel’s Apis/Bee, Deepak Mahajan couldn’t wait to brush up on his gliding skills and find out for himself what it’s like to fly
Winter wave for newbies
The Winter Series provides juniors with the opportunity to get the most out of winter flying. Saz Reed talks to two newcomers to wave in the first round at Portmoak
Wave? In an easterly?
The unique location of the Black Mountains Gliding Club on the east side of the Black Mountains in South Wales is ideal for producing good east wave, even in very light winds. Robbie Robertson investigates
Soaring like a bird on the wing
Nick Gaunt reflects on a memorable trip from Aboyne, flown 62 years to the day he flew his first solo flight, at the Mynd aged just 15
Club Management Conference 2014
Organised by the BGA, made by the clubs: a perfect description for the 2014 BGA Club Management Conference.Alison Randle reports
So what makes a great comp?
Liz Sparrow reports how surveys run by the BGA Comps Committee have revealed the top 10 things we need to know about comps
Airprox update
Hugh Woodsend looks at the lessons to be learned from recent occurences
Also in this issue:
BGA news; your letters; Gliding Gallery; Club Gallery; Club Focus – Deeside; club news; Edessa Gliding Club; BGA badges; incident and accident summaries
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