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October – November 2006

It’s been a busy summer and, whether you’re a racing pilot, an aerobatics aficionado, or one of the many interested individuals who responded to the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s consultation on Mode S, the October-November S&G reflects what you’ve been doing and looks at what happens next.

If you missed the fuss about CAA plans to mandate Mode S transponders for all aircraft in all UK airspace you must have spent the season in outer space. If so, welcome back, and you’ll find a handy Mode S summary and links to more information in the October-November S&G. When the issue went to press the CAA was staying officially tight-lipped about the number of responses received, but reliable estimates suggest that glider pilots were a very significant part of a response between 10 and 150 times bigger than the CAA is used to receiving.

In the October-November issue, BGA Chairman Patrick Naegeli reports back on the Mode S situation while, taking a broad look at the background issues, Dickie Feakes gives a personal overview of the three current options for electronic proximity warning systems:Mode S, ADS-B and Flarm. Staying on the subject, we have two personal accounts from British pilots on what it’s like to fly with Flarm, the Swiss-developed glider-specific collision avoidance system.

Phew – after all that, we need a bit of fun, and what could be more fun than flying an aerotow inverted (that’s the tug as well as the glider)? It’s certainly something that puts a smile on Guy Westgate’s face and S&G has some great photos of this top aerobatic pilotpractising for his first Farnborough Air Show, as well as pix from the event itself. Guaranteed to lift your spirits.

On the other hand, if you get your kicks from flying the right way up across country, you might want to read about the meteorology and psychology behind David Masson’s 845km or John Giddins’ fast 500km in thermals. This issue also has reports on four of the UK nationals alongside Jay Rebbeck’s compelling account of flying the Club Class Worlds in the mountains and thunderstorms of France. And for a unique soaring experience, how about Gibraltar? The RAFGSA’s Philip Sturley and Chris Heames were the first pilots to ridge-soar the Rock.

Closer to home, Laurence Desmet – Frank Irving’s nephew – describes how an unusual family heirloom rekindled his own love of flying; Moyra Johnston, the doyenne of Yorkshire GC, talks about a gliding career that dates back to the 1930s; and Keith Auchterlonie brings us bang up to date with a report on a massive gliding promotion in the heart of the City of London at Canary Wharf. Check out those photos!

Helen Evans
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
Expo in the City

BGA Communications Officer Keith Auchterlonie reports back on gliding’s first-ever promotion at Canary Wharf – in the heart of the City of London

 

Soaring Gibraltar

Philip Sturley outlines what it was like to add this unique site to his gliding logbook, thanks to an RAFGSA expedition in June

 

Proximity warning systems

In the first of a series on electronic anti-collision systems, Dickie Feakes offers a personal overview of transponders, Flarm and ADS-B, while Richie Arnall and Simon Waddell describe flying with Flarm

 

Once you get the bug…

… you’re stuck with it. Richard Harris interviews Moyra Johnston – who joined Yorkshire GC two years before Amy Johnson did and, 71 years on, is its honorary president

 

A little bit of optimism

Lasham pilot David Masson explains the forecasting and the psychology that lay behind his 845km flight on July 11, 2006

 

A fast 500 in thermals

John Giddins of Aquila GC was glad he took notice of David Masson’s optimistic forecast a few days after that epic 840km

 

Storms and mountains

Jay Rebbeck reports on some frightening flying, exceptional British teamwork, and how the Brits just missed Silver in the Club Class Worlds at Vinon

 

Flying premier League

Andy Perkins pulls together feedback from the happy winners of the inaugural gliding scholarships of The Air League

 

Relaxing and enjoyable

Mike Brooks reports on the 18-Metre Nationals and explains why racing, for him, isn’t about whether you win or lose – it’s whether you enjoy the game

 

Comps are okay, really

Paul Fritche looks back upon a Standard Class Nationals that, unusually, produced a French winner alongside a National Champion

 

Scenic on the ridges

Bernard Smyth reports on five days of racing at the Club Class Nationals

 

Two points is all it takes

Jane Randle reports on a close-fought competition for the title of national champion in the 15-Metre Class

 

What a day

Laurence Desmet – who is Frank Irving’s nephew – tells us why he will never forget one special Wednesday

 

Also in this issue:

British Gliding Association news; BGA Executive News – Mode S; your letters; BGA Development News; BGA Technical News; BGA Safety News; BGA Regulatory Group News; Gliding Gallery – Guy goes to Farnborough; Racing Gallery – scenes from this year’s UK comps; club focus (Chilterns Gliding Centre); club news; obituaries; BGA Badges; incident and accident summaries

Tailfeathers: Plat takes a trip to Geezerglide in the USA

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