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October – November 2008

From brushing up on basic competition skills to representing your country in the Worlds, from handling launch failure toobservations on complex wave patterns, there’s something for everyone in the October-November issue of S&G.

Our front cover shows the Duo Discus XLT. In the last few years the Schempp-Hirth engineers have been busy fine-tuning as a result of customer feedback. This has been very successful according to Jochen Ewald, who lists a bigger cockpit and better among many improvements following his flight test.

With the weather continuing to disappoint during the summer, the nationals saw many days scrubbed. The 15-Metre Nationals did manage five flying days although, as Gary Stingemore reports, they were marred by broken bones and broken gliders. If conventional competition flying is not your thing, why not consider Competition Enterprise? Now in its 35th year, it allows forgreater individual freedom. The aim of the task setter is to encourage and reward enterprising flying reports Lindsay McLane.

A no-publicity policy had Eden Soaring Society flying ‘under the radar’ for many years. Now Edensoaring, the BGA’s newest club, islifting the lid on flying in the Lakes. Thomas Edwards – expert at ‘parking’ on the tiniest of nooks and crannies – recalls a flight to remember.

When confronted with a simulated power failure, a worrying number of pilots fail to follow the launch failure procedures properly, says Don Puttock. It is often the most experienced pilots that fail to check their speed. Don looks at the reasons for this failing and considers the human factors that affect our actions.

Also in this issue: BGA Chairman Patrick Naegeli focuses on changes taking place in the BGA later this year and reflects on a moving speech. BGA Chief Executive Pete Stratten provides an update on EASA-related regulatory issues and talks about what the BGA is doing to protect our interests. BGA Airspace Committee Chairman Carr Withall details recent changes in airspace and Graham McAndrew takes a look at maintaining a safe environment within class G airspace. Gavin Wills gives a fascinating insight into why and how certain wave shapes form. Air League scholars report back on the new skills they have achieved, from cross-country gliding to aerobatics. Finally, in Salutary Soaring, Sarah Kelman reflects on how a pilot with nearly 10,000 hours at the controls, and with a background in flight safety, experienced her first crash during the flight that put her out of the Rieti World Championships.

Thanks to everyone for your contributions to this issue. Safe flying.

Susan Newby
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
Students are put to task

Adam Spikings of Cambridge University GC reports on the 2008 Inter-University Task Week

 

Countrywide changes

Carr Withall chairman of the BGA’s Airspace Committee details recent changes to airspace

 

Shape of things to come

The first self-launchable two-seat electric glider was introduced at the 2008 electric Aircraft Symposium. Rod Weale was invited to visit Pipistrel’s production facility to find out more

 

Wave shapes

Gavin Wills shares some observations on complex wave patterns and shapes in the first half of a two-part article

 

Handling launch failure

DonPuttock explains why we should encourage power failures in addition to cable breaks in training and looks at why it is often the most experienced pilots that fail to check their speed

 

It’s about to get very busy up there

As business aviation booms, Graham McAndrew takes a look at maintaining a safe environment within class G airspace and around small airports

 

Broadening horizons

An Air League scholarship can provide training in a variety of flying skills. Three of this year’s scholars report back on their experiences

 

A class act

Jochen Ewald discovers a bigger cockpit and better brakes as he evaluates a fine-tuned 20-metre class glider equally at home in club operations and competitions

 

It’s LO-HI-LO in the Lakes

The Eden Soaring Society has been flying ‘under the radar’ in the Lake District for many years with a no-publicity policy. Now, as Edensoaring, the group is the BGA’s newest club. Thomas Edwards lifts the lid on a flight to remember.

 

Preparing to compete

The Women’s Development Group weekend was open to all competition pilots this year. Reg Watson took part to hone his flying skills with the experts

 

Flying the flag at Rieti

Rieti played host to the unflapped classes of this year’s Worlds. Team captain Hugh Kindell sets the scene

 

Rain doesn’t stop play

Gary Stingemore reports on a 15-Metre Nationals that managed five days in spite of the rain, but which was marred by broken bones and broken gliders

 

Engines becoming a part of Open Class life for many pilots

Dave Byass reports from Tibenham, where outlanding prospects were dire

 

An unconventional style of competing

Lindsay McLane reports from Competition Enterprise, where the aim of the task setter is to encourage and reward enterprising flying

 

Also in this issue:

BGA news; Airspace update; your letters; BGA update on EASA-related regulatory issues; Gliding Gallery – The light fantastic; salutary soaring; club gallery; club news; BGA Badges; incident and accident summaries

Tailfeathers: Plat pays tribute to Dick Johnson, one of the most remarkable figures in our sport

 

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