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Feb-March 23

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What is so special about conditions that pave the way for spectacular wave flights in Scotland? Find out in the Feb/March issue. You can also read about superb gliding conditions in Brazil, avoiding a costly mistake in the cockpit, and reducing the number of Airprox involving gliders.

Stories of spectacular wave flights in Scotland are envied by many. Portmoak’s Sant Cervantes describes the ideal weather pattern that sets up wave in his part of the world to Herrie ten Cate. Sant also talks about how GPS has revolutionised wave soaring in Scotland and how a good relationship with ATC is very helpful.

Sebastian Kawa had never associated Brazil with a gliding paradise. Two visits last year changed his mind. The sight of thermal columns marked by flocks of small Urubu vultures was a first for Sebastian. In Bahia there is a zone that is used for record flights and so that the national championships can be held there. There are more interesting places to fly in Brazil, but the competition is held there because the plateau is covered with huge farmlands that are perfectly flat and provide landing spots. Sebastian was joined at Bahia Gliding 2 by Sergio Andrades and enjoyed many flights with him over unexplored terrain. During an 11-day stay, Sebastian covered 7,900km with Sergio in his ASH 30, logging 59 hours.

In the year July 2021–2022, there were 37 Airprox involving gliders in the UK. It’s encouraging to see glider pilots engaging with the Airprox system in reporting, but two Airprox gliders could not be traced. Overflights of winch sites remain a serious problem and we are asked to be vigilant when supervising a winch launch. Electronic conspicuity helps, but if your glider does have a transponder, please do leave it switched on. This could have prevented four of last year’s glider Airprox. Andrew Watson and Ed Downham report on the Airprox involving gliders and share practical precautions you can take to avoid an Airprox (or worse) in 2023.

You can create problems of your own in the cockpit of your glider. Phil King and the BGA Safety Team talk about how a costly error prompted an experienced pilot to review cockpit actions. Before landing a glider with retractable undercarriage, it is important to check the symbol or word that corresponds to wheel down, check the lever is in the correct position and is locked. The direction of movement of the lever varies in different gliders. The principle of following an action with a check also applies to airbrakes and canopy.

Also in this issue: BGA Chairman Andy Perkins looks at three key elements of sustainability in which gliding could focus to maintain relevance and adapt to the times. Charlie Tagg is in the spotlight for our pilot profile. Paul Rice and Dennis Heslop achieve the first 750km from Wormingford. Ron Johns reflects on a terrifying first attempt at flying in cloud with an instructor. Anne Soltow reports on the biggest Junior Winter Series event yet. David Rhys-Jones looks at Airbus research into contrails and global warming. Graham Stanford reports on fun at the Gliding Heritage Centre. David Innes reflects on a chilly landout that kicked up a stink. Ebenezer Grimshaw has yet more unasked-for advice for newbies. Kevin Atkinson talks about outflow variation. Alison Randle reports on the return of a face-to-face club development conference. Pete Stratten highlights safety critical tasks in gliding. Andrew Jarvis reflects on a year of vintage gliding. Plus, many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages.

Fly safely and have fun

Susan Newby
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
Pilot profile: Charlie Tagg

With his school right next to Pocklington, it wasn’t long until Charlie was hooked on gliding. Wanting to get some ‘life experience’ before joining the RAF, an email to GlideOmarama resulted in a job instructing in New Zealand. Charlie is now based in Lossiemouth, flying Typhoons

Wormingford record flight

Paul Rice describes a ‘750 at 150’, achieving a first for the club with Dennis Heslop

Action needed to reduce risk

Andrew Watson and Ed Downham report on Airprox involving gliders during the last year, and how to reduce their numbers this year

“I think we just looped!”

Ron Johns reflects on a frightening first attempt at flying in cloud with an instructor many years ago

First round is biggest yet

Anne Soltow reports on the biggest Junior Winter Series event yet, held at the Long Mynd in October 2022

Contrails and global warming

David Rhys-Jones looks at how Airbus is using Perlan Project pilots to research whether hydrogen-powered turbines produce more, or less, contrails than traditional ones

Extreme Bahia

Sebastian Kawa travels to Brazil for an expedition to an area not usually associated with a gliding paradise

Fun at the GHC

Members from Staffordshire GC visit the Gliding Heritage Centre at Lasham. Graham Stanford reports

Wave hunting

Herrie ten Cate asks Portmoak’s Sant Cervantes what is so special about the conditions that pave the way for some spectacular wave flights in Scotland

Chilly landout kicks up a stink

David Innes reflects on a landout that featured natural fertiliser and a sprinkling of snow

Advisory 29: Flying somewhere else

Ebenezer Grimshaw has yet more unasked-for advice for newbies and other unfortunates

Atkinson’s law: Outflow variation

Kevin Atkinson talks about how the flows of the vortex affect our flight

We’re back!

Alison Randle reports on the return of a face-to-face development conference

Managing risk

BGA CEO Pete Stratten highlights safety critical tasks in gliding

Year of fun and coincidences

VGC President Andrew Jarvis reflects on the highlights of a year of vintage gliding

An expensive mistake

A costly error prompts an experienced pilot to review cockpit actions

Also in this issue:

BGA news; opinion; Gliding Gallery; Club Gallery; Club Focus – Bicester Soaring; development news; news; BGA badges; obituaries; incident and accident summaries

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