June – July 2007
Slope soaring in The Netherlands with nothing on the clock but the maker’s name – it sounds like one of those stale internet jokes but in fact it’s a fair description of the fun that a bunch of Dutch pilots have reviving an historic tradition. And their exploits are just one of many treats in store for you in the June-July S&G.
From the historic to the bang up-to-date: we bring you the latest sailplane news from AERO 2007, the biennial General Aviation exhibition that includes probably the best gliding exhibition in the world. Four pages of pictures showing lots of new toys, including the latest Ventus and a clutch of two-seaters – the successor to the Puchacz, the new LAK-20 and the ASH30Mi concept among them. Dream on…
What could you do with all that shiny new kit? Guy Westgate’s farewell photo shoot for his much-travelled DG-400 – remember all those trips with his toothbrush? – gives him the chance to explain what he (and many current and experienced pilots like him) aspire to in their flying – wonderflug! We hope you enjoy the photos as much as he loves his flying.
Also in this issue, Dick Johnson flight tests what he believes could be the most significant development in improving sailplane performance since the invention of the laminar aerofoil; Jochen Ewald tries out the new Scheibe SF25C – an old friend with some new features; Mike Thorne outlines what it’s like to take on the role of Deputy CFI; Don Puttock looks at how students and instructors learn; and Reb Rebbeck explains how analysing your traces can pay dividends in improving your cross-country flying. World record-breaker Klaus Ohlmann describes his best season yet for records and we’ve an exclusive update on the latest published airprox data. If your taste runs to photos, we’ve two fantastic spreads of your own photographs – our thanks to all who have contributed them.
And of course, there’s the usual BGA information, too, with Chairman Patrick Naegeli reporting back on Mode S, David Roberts’ EASA update, and the first column from the new National Coach.
Don’t forget – we always appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Please do let us know what you think.
Helen Evans
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
Scheibe Falke flies again
It may be an old friend with its roots in motorgliding history, says Jochen Ewald, but the SF-25C has some new features and much to recommend it
Dune running
Slope soaring in the Netherlands might sound like a joke but, as Jan de Jong explains, it’s an historic tradition kept alive by a handful of hardy souls in wooden sailplanes
Do you know what you know?
Don Puttock describes a model of how human beings learn that will be of interest to student glider pilots – as well as to their instructors
Learning from experience
Hugh Woodsend looks at some recent Airproxes, and identifies what we glider pilots can do to make the skies safer for us all
Improving performance
Richard H Johnson reports on his evaluation of the Sinha wing performance enhancing deturbulators – which he says could be the most significant aerodynamic advance since the laminar aerofoil was invented
Record year at Zapala
World record-breaking German pilot Klaus Ohlmann updates us on his best season to date
Wonderflug
Guy Westgate explains
AERO 2007
Probably the best gliding exhibition in the world – in Europe’s biggest General Aviation fair – is organised every other April at Friedrichshafen. It’s a great place to see brand-new toys. Helen Evans reports on the sailplane news
135 unforgettable minutes
Julian Foster was looking for an exciting ride in wave over the Pyrenees – and he got it
Trace how you soar
Reb Rebbeck takes a look at some flight traces to see how post-flight analysis can help you fly faster across country
Moving up the instructing ladder
In the latest article in our series on instructing, Mike Thorne explains what motivated him to become a Deputy CFI – and how he’s finding it, six months on
Also in this issue:
BGA news; BGA Development News; your letters; Women’s Development News; BGA Executive News; Royal Aero Club Awards to glider pilots; BGA Regulatory News; From the National Coach; Gliding Gallery – Spanish Skies; BGA club annual statistics; club gallery; club news; Salutary Soaring; BGA Badges; incident and accident summaries; AAIB update
Tailfeathers: Plat debates the merits of engines and gets into a flap about geese
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