June – July 2022

From soaring the length of New Zealand, to learning from the experts in Italy, you can read about it in the June/July issue. A Ukrainian glider pilot describes how his club is faring in the middle of the Russian invasion. Plus, could you safely cope with startle and surprise?

For the past six years, Terry and Abbey Delore have been keeping an eye on weather patterns to fulfil their dream of soaring the length of New Zealand. The project has taken years of research to soar from the Southernmost tip – Bluff – up the South Island, crossing Cook Strait to the North Island with an end goal of the Northernmost point, Cape Reinga. On 20 December, the pair flew from Omarama to Auckland –1,600km in a 14-hour flight. The adventure continued after Christmas, on 11 January, soaring from Auckland to Cape Reinga. This epic adventure is thought to be a world first.

Minor details like the lack of an appropriate glider and limited numbers of participants did not dissuade Andrea Venturini from wanting to take part in Alberto Sironi’s high-performance training camp in Varese, Italy. Fortune smiled on him, and Andrea was given the opportunity to rent an Arcus M and to fly with Italian record holder Aldo Cernezzi. Flying in the Alps, Andrea experienced several ‘flights of a lifetime’ and he has come to realise that all pilots should grab every possible opportunity that comes their way to further their skills and enjoyment of gliding.

While many of us were preparing for the gliding season, the Buzova Gliding Club found itself in the middle of an invasion, with Russian forces nearby, and a Russian fighter jet crashing at the airfield. Herrie ten Cate spoke with 24-year-old glider pilot Andrii Lohvynchuk about what is happening to him and other club members as the war rages around them. Some members have evacuated, some are in the army and others are in civil armoured formations.

What would you have done if you’d found yourself in the situation faced by Capt ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, who in 2009 landed an A320 airliner in New York’s Hudson River after losing both engines two minutes after take-off in an encounter with a flock of Canada Geese? This landing is one of five case studies on the effects of startle and the human factors aspects when something takes us by surprise. Human factors increasingly emerge as important aspects in gliding accidents and a gliding parallel to Sully’s landing would be to reject a dubious final glide and land safely in a field. The BGA safety team comments that you may not have Tom Hanks play you in a movie, but you should walk away with your glider intact.

Also in this issue: Sustainable aviation is the theme at AERO 2022. BGA Chairman Andy Perkins reflects on the work being done behind the scenes to develop and promote our sport, and preparations for WWGC2022. Phil Drake is in the spotlight for our pilot profile. Mike Randle remembers a lengthy retrieve with intrepid shortcut. David Edwards captures some stunning photographs at the Winter Series. Ron Johns reflects on his early days learning to explore the sky in a T-31. Bernard Eckey shares his memories of gliding legend Ingo Renner. Grimshaw peers into yet another murky area. Kevin Atkinson explores the water furnace. Pete Stratten reminds us of the importance of using up-to-date technologies. Andrew Jarvis talks to Phil Drake about re-covering a vintage glider. Andy Perkins introduces Project Future Proof. Plus, many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages.

Fly safely and have fun