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June – July 2016

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Find out more about Sebastian Kawa, the 10 times world champion from Poland, and also some great international results for British pilots in the June/July issue of S&G. There are top tips on how to spot clues to make the right decisions as the thermalling day unfolds. You can also read how to safely share airspace, with soaring described both from the glider pilot’s perspective and that of air traffic controllers.

He’s number one in the FAI world rankings, current world champion in the 15m Class and European champion in the 18m Class. Sebastian Kawa is also an extremely likeable person, happy to share the tales of his success and experience. S&G caught up with Sebastian just before his visit to UK clubs in May to learn more about the 10 times world champion.

When the forecast is for a promising cross-country day, what the day actually delivers can be less predictable. Tony Cronshaw asks coach Kevin Atkinson how we can learn to spot the clues that will help us make the right decisions as the thermalling day unfolds, in the first of a two-part Ask the Coach article – a plot of twists and turns.

During any cross-country, it is vital to be aware of who we might be sharing airspace with. In this issue, we look at two sides of the same coin, with John Williams outlining soaring from a glider pilot’s perspective, while air traffic controllers explain why gliders are generally not perceived as an ATCO’s best friend and what, if anything, we can do to change that.

When Midland and Wrekin gliding clubs organised an expedition to Llanbedr, daily phone calls to RAF Valley paved the way to better situational awareness. Members found that contacting RAF Valley ATC in the air couldn’t have been easier and that, like all air traffic controllers, they would rather talk to you than not – even if you don’t have an RT licence.

Also in this issue: Pete Stratten looks at adding a privilege in an SPL and LAPL(S) conversion update. S&G reports on the gliding interests at Europe’s biggest aviation fair, held in Friedrichshafen in April. There’s a report on the AeroSPARX display seen by almost four million in The One Show’s 90th birthday tribute to the Queen. David Innes muses on his first flight of the year, and offers advice to those intending to fly over the Scottish mountains. Matt Davis reports on the Juniors Winter Series. Guy Westgate reports from the United Arab Emirates, where GliderFX got to play with the world’s best fliers from the elite Skydive Dubai wingsuit team. Steve Pozerskis and Andy Holmes visit Linton-on-Ouse for an insight into RAF measures to avoid an Airprox and enjoy unforgettable Tucano flights. Katharine York reports why Lincolnshire GC teamed up with a training facility to give teenagers a taste of gliding. Jordan Bridge explains how funding helped him progress to assistant instructor. Kieron Shaw explains how a RAeC Trust bursary helped a sixth-former take the first steps to becoming a commercial pilot. BGA Development Officer Alison Randle asks how clubs can buck the 1.4 per cent trend. Debb Hackett reports on Willy Hackett’s quest to fly as many Schweizer types as possible in the USA. There are many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages. And last, but not least, there’s the BGA club annual statistics.

Fly safely and have fun

Susan Newby
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
Adding a privilege

BGA Chief Executive Pete Stratten provides an update on SPL and LAPL(S) conversion

AERO 2016

S&G reports on the gliding interests at Europe’s biggest aviation fair, held in Friedrichshafen in April

A right royal performance

Guy Westgate reports on the AeroSPARX display featured in The One Show’s 90th birthday tribute to the Queen

The thermalling day, part 1

Tony Cronshaw asks coach Kevin Atkinson to explain the twists and turns that nature puts into the soaring day – and how to spot the clues to making the right decisions as the day unfolds

Pilot profile: Sebastian Kawa

He’s 10 times world champion, current world champion in the 15m Class, European champion in the 18m Class and number one in the FAI world rankings. S&G caught up with Polish pilot Sebastian Kawa, just before his visit to UK clubs in May, to learn more about him

Getting back in the saddle

David Innes muses on his first flight of the year, and offers his advice for other pilots intending to fly over the Scottish mountains

Winter Series 4: epic adventures

Matt Davis sums up an amazing year, which saw the Winter Series go back to its roots

Two sides of the same coin

John Williams outlines soaring from a glider pilot’s perspective, while air traffic controllers offer their viewpoint

Llanbedr: shared skies

Mike Greenwood explains how close communication makes sharing the sky a safer place during a club exped to Snowdonia

Falling with (more) style

Guy Westgate’s flying display team, GliderFX, has recently returned from the United Arab Emirates, where they got to play with the world’s best fliers from the elite Skydive Dubai wingsuit team

Together we can keep safe

A visit to Linton-on-Ouse provides an insight into RAF measures to avoid an Airprox, and ends with an unforgettable flight in a Tucano. Steve Pozerskis reports

Teens spread their wings

Katharine York reports why Lincolnshire GC teamed up with a training facility to give teenagers a taste of gliding

Helping hand with training

Lasham’s Jordan Bridge explains how funding helped him to progress to assistant instructor

Flying start

Kieron Shaw explains how a RAeC Trust bursary helped a sixth-former take the first steps to becoming a commercial pilot

Search for a Schweizer

Willy Hackett starts his quest to fly as many Schweizer types as possible in the USA. Debb Hackett reports from Tennessee

Also in this issue:

BGA news; your letters; Gliding Gallery; Club Gallery; Club Focus – Lasham; development news; club news; club annual statistics; BGA badges; incident and accident summaries

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