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PLEASE REFRESH TO ENSURE YOU ARE LOOKING AT UP TO DATE INFORMATION BGA Update
Mode S Update 8th May 2008 There are now just over 3 weeks remaining in which to respond to the CAA Mode S proposals . Hundreds of glider pilots have now responded but we believe that we need many more responses in order to fully press our case (see the Mode S page for full details). As well as responding to the CAA, the BGA is now also asking that PILOTS WRITE TO THEIR MP to bring this matter to their attention. A sample letter and a link to MP contact details are also on the Mode S page. As with your response to the CAA, please use the sample letter as a guide to formulating your own letter. This threat is real. Implementation of the proposals will make it uneconomic for many to continue to fly. A number of clubs may be forced to close. Please respond. May Newsletter 8th May 2008 The BGA Newsletter for May is now available here. New S&G Editor 3rd May 2008 The BGA is delighted to announce the appointment of Susan Newby as the new editor of Sailplane & Gliding. Susan, who has worked in both newspaper and magazine publishing, has experience in a range of sectors, from pharmaceuticals to aerospace. She has recently worked on Go Flying! Magazine which, she says, gave her a real interest in flying. Living just down the road from Gransden Lodge, she has taken the Go Flying message to heart and has already had her first glider flight in more years than she cares to remember. Susan will be working with Helen Evans on the June issue of S&G, before going solo on the August one. Club Class Nationals on Sky 27th April 2008 The feature filmed at last year's Club Class Nationals will be shown in three episodes on Sky Sports next month. Each programme will be repeated multiple times over the course of a week. You can see the full screening schedule here. The programme provides an excellent insight into how a championship works and features interviews with many of the leading pilots. NPPL SLMG Licensing Update 24th April 2008 Further to the article in the last issue of S&G, NATS have now issued Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) 30/2008 (White 146) describing the changes to NPPL licensing that came into effect at the end of January. We recommend that all NPPL SLMG pilots and instructors read this. The document is available on the AIS web site but, as this requires user registration, a copy has been provided here for convenience. Advice is also being published on the NPPL website. EAS Programme Manager 24th April 2008 Europe Air Sports is seeking to recruit a professional programme manager to replace Rudi Schuegraf, who is retiring after three years in post. The successful applicant will be responsible for the collection, collation and dissemination of relevant information to the EAS Board, technical officers and member organisations and for the management of work programmes to support the EAS representation in various forums. In summary he/she will be responsible for managing the internal process from input to output in the EAS organisation. He/she will actively work with pan-European aviation regulatory bodies to promote the optimum position for EAS and its members. Closing date for applications is June 1st. Full details are here. New RAeC Chairman 16th April 2008 We are delighted to announce that David Roberts has been elected as the new Chairman of the Royal Aero Club. David, a current Vice-President of the BGA, was BGA Chairman from 2000-2006 continues to lead the UK’s team in numerous meetings with EASA and other bodies seeking to secure from EASA and from the CAA the freedom for sporting and recreational aviation to govern itself without undue red tape and European interference. Mode S Consultation Latest 14th April 2008 The draft BGA response to the Mode S consultation and other supporting documents are now available on the Mode S Consultation page. The BGA urges all pilots to respond to the consultation to make sure that the CAA understands your views about the proposals. We believe theese represent a disproportional approach by the CAA that will give rise to significant burdens to individual pilots and to businesses, including clubs, that operate in the gliding area. We further believe that the proposals have the potential to threaten the fundamental viability of our sport. Details of how to respond are also available on the Mode S page. April Newsletter 3rd April 2008 The BGA newsletter for April has been published and can be viewed here. Airspace Update Published 3rd April 2008 BGA Airspace Committee Chairman, Carr Withall's annual airspace update (first published in Sailplane & Gliding) is now available for download from the Airspace Section of the website. Mode S Open Meetings Update 29th March 2008 Two additional open meetings have been arranged, at Shobdon and Husbands Bosworth. The dates of these and the remaining originally scheduled meetings (all 7pm) are: Space at the Shobdon meeting is limited - please let Diana King know if you plan to attend. More details about the meetings are below. If you have not attended one of the other Mode S open meetings, please make every effort to go to one of these so that you understand just what the CAA's revised proposals mean to you. Distress and Diversion Telephone Details 27th March 2008 Following the relocation of the London Distress and Diversion cell to Swanwick, the previously published telephone number is no longer valid, although it is expected that an answering machine will give details of the new number. The new telephone number to pass information such as an overdue aircraft to the Distress and Diversion cell is now 01489 612406. The service available on the VHF emergency frequency 121.5MHz remains unchanged. (The D&D Cell has requested that pilots let them know if they have landed out and had to leave the glider in the field overnight or if, for any reason, they believe that the landout has caused or is likely to cause alarm. In these events, please call the D&D Cell, letting them know the location and confirming that there are no casualties. Mode S Open Meetings Update 14th March 2008 Please note that the three Mode S Open Meetings being hosted by BGA clubs will start at 7pm. More details are below. Visit ATC 14th March 2008 Over 20 UK Air Traffic Control Units will be taking part in the first national Visit ATC event in May. The MoD, NATS and independent air traffic units throughout the country are participating in the scheme which is aimed at increasing the knowledge of both pilots and controllers of each others’ skills and limitations. Places must be pre-booked and are open only to holders of pilot licences (NPPL, PPL, BGA certificate etc) – you will be required to show their licence to gain entry. A full list of participating units and dates, and registration details are available on the AIS website. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. All the events are free of charge. Women Pilots' Development Weekend 2008 12th March 2008 There are still a few places available on the development weekend. If you're an up-and-coming comp pilot and want to learn to fly faster, book your free place ASAP - numbers are limited. Plans for the weekend include flying as weather permits, and briefing /discussion with members of the British Team in between times. There will be a very limited amount of 2-seater flying available, so do bring your glider to put it all into practice. Contact Liz Sparrow to book a place. Please note that if attending and intending to fly, you must bring your current medical declaration with you. More details on the Women's page. Mode S Open Meeting at Lasham 10th March 2008 Please note that the date of the Mode S Open Meeting at Lasham with the CAA has been changed to Friday 4th April. Other dates and venues are unchanged. More details are below. March Newsletter 5th March 2008 The BGA newsletter for March has been published and can be viewed here. FAI Lilienthal Medal Awarded to Derek Piggott 2nd March 2008 The BGA is delighted to announce that Derek Piggott has been awarded the FAI's Lilienthal Medal. The award is made to reward a particularly remarkable performance in gliding, or eminent services to the sport of gliding over a long period of time. Derek becomes only the sixth British recipient of the award, which was established in 1938. Terminal Control North – Proposed Changes to Airspace 28th February 2008 National Air Traffic Services (NATS) have commenced the formal consultation on proposed changes to airspace over parts of London, southern and eastern England. This airspace is called ‘Terminal Control North’ (TCN) and is amongst the most complex airspace in the world. You are invited to visit the NATS web site where detailed information on the proposals is available, along with a full copy of the consultation document, a downloadable information DVD and an online questionnaire for submitting feedback. The consultation began on 21st February and closes on 22ndMay. The BGA airspace team have had informal meetings with NATS over the last two years to highlight our concerns and put forward our ideas over this proposal and clubs in the proposed areas of change have been kept informed. Mode S Open Meetings 26th February 2008 The BGA has asked a number of clubs to facilitate open meetings with all air sport pilots and the CAA regarding the plans for mode S as detailed in the current phase 2 consultation document. This is a great opportunity for our members to engage with the rulemakers, further clarify our airspace needs and to develop personal views on how to respond to the consultation. As such, the BGA urges ALL pilots to try to attend one of the meetings. The evening meetings (al 7pm) are: Portmoak (Scottish Gliding Union) Thursday 20th March; Lasham Friday 4th April (NOTE CHANGE OF DATE), Pocklington (Wolds GC) Friday 11th April. Additionally, the PFA (recently renamed LAA) are hosting a similar event for all pilots at their Turweston site during the day on Saturday 15th March. The BGA is planning to be present. Detailed information regarding each meeting venue will be published on the BGA web site when available. Information regarding the BGA position on the mode S phase 2 consultation will also be published in due course. Details of the CAA consultation, which closes at the end of May, can be viewed on their web site. Directions etc to the clubs are here. February Newsletter 7th February 2008 The BGA newsletter for February has been published and can be viewed here. Mode S Consultation 7th February 2008 The CAA has begun the next stage of consultation over their proposals to introduce Mode S transponders. Their new consultation document, entitled ‘Proposal for an Incremental Expansion of the Use of Secondary Surveillance Radar Mode Select Transponders in UK Airspace’ is now available on the CAA web site. The new proposals, whilst acknowledging some of the concerns of the BGA and the thousands of glider pilots who responded to the last round of consultation, still represent a major threat to the future of gliding in this country. The BGA is currently studying the revised proposals but will certainly be calling on glider pilots to make their views known once again in order to help head off this threat. We ask all pilots to continue to monitor BGA news sources and respond when the time comes. More details are available here. Glider Pilot Licensing 7th February 2008 The latest edition of Sailplane & Gliding contains an article by Executive Committee member Chris Gibson about the moves that are taking place towards the establishment of an EASA glider pilots licence. We expect EASA to issue an NPA (Notice of Proposed Amendment) for public consultation towards the end of this quarter. The BGA will submit a formal response but there will also be the opportunity for individuals to respond. More details will be published on this web site as they become available, including information on how to respond to the NPA. In the meantime, the text of the S&G article is available here. NPPL Changes 7th February 2008 Several changes regarding the UK NPPL came into effect at the end of January. An explanatory Aeronautical Information Circular was agreed at about the same time, but the AIC production process means that it physically cannot be promulgated until about the end of March. There is thus a rather awkward gap between the (difficult to understand) legislative change and (somewhat easier) AIC. A useful (but unofficial) summary of the changes is available here. The full text of the ANO Amendment is on the OPSI web site. BGA Set to Receive Funding from BingoLotto 31st January 2008 BingoLotto is an exciting new lottery and TV game which will be hitting the airwaves in
February 2008 and donating at least 20% from the sale of each £2 Lottery Gamecard to good BGA Job Opportunity - Sailplane and Gliding Editor 29th January 2008 The BGA is now recruiting for a magazine editor who has the vision, flair and experience to take the magazine into the next chapter of its 50 year history. We are keen to hear from anyone who has the appropriate skills and experience to make the most of this exciting career opportunity. The closing date for applications is 14th March 08. A job advertisement is available here. Avian Influenza (AI) 10th January 2008 This is a worrying time for the farming industry so in the event of any field landing please remain sensitive to farmers' concerns and make sure you follow the BGA Code of Practice for field landings as published within BGA Laws and Rules. BGA Conference 2008 10th January 2008 The BGA Sporting Conference (and AGM) will be held at the Hellidon Lakes Hotel near Daventry on Saturday 8th March. Further details regarding this not to be missed event are published here. Look out for the BGA conference article in the latest edition of S&G. Details of the BGA Governance Conference - which will be running alongside ths Sporting Conference - will be forwarded to club officials and reproduced in due course on this website. Again, look out for the BGA conference article in the latest edition of S&G. Newly Imported EASA Type Certified Gliders 8th January 2008 As previously noted, as part of BGA continuing efforts to minimise the disruption to UK glider owners during the transition to the EASA airworthiness regime, the BGA has reached agreement with the CAA that newly imported EASA gliders can be issued with a BGA C of A, valid until 28th September 2008, which will be transitioned into an EASA C of A with ARC (valid for 1 year) by the existing BGA transition process. The application for BGA C of A complete with EASA C of A transition application must be made via the BGA. Full details of this application process are now available in BGA TNS6-2007. January Newsletter 3rd January 2008 The BGA newsletter for January has been published and can be viewed here. Newly Imported EASA Type Certified Gliders 3rd January 2008 This applies to both new and second hand newly imported EASA gliders, including self-sustainers. As part of BGA continuing efforts to minimise the disruption to UK glider owners during the transition to the EASA airworthiness regime, the BGA has reached agreement with the CAA that newly imported EASA gliders can be issued with a BGA C of A, valid until 28th September 2008, which will be transitioned into an EASA C of A with ARC (valid for 1 year) by the existing BGA transition process. The application for BGA C of A complete with EASA C of A transition application must be made via the BGA. Full details of this application process will be available on this website very soon. Europe Air Sports Newsletter 2nd January 2008 The latest Europe Air Sports newsletter is now available on their website. BGA Assistant Instructor Rating Courses 2008 2nd January 2008 The BGA is building on the success of the 2007 format by expanding the number of sites which will be facilitating BGA assistant instructor courses. 11 courses will be held between April and September 2008. Course dates and other detail are available here. SGU FLARM Report 29th December 2007 The Scottish Gliding Union has published a report of its trial of FLARM, which took place between February and October of this year. As many BGA members will be interested in the findings from the Portmoak trial, the report has been made available here. The BGA's position is to support efforts that will develop potential users' understanding of all the operational implications of FLARM use. BGA Office at Christmas and New Year 19th December 2007 The BGA office will close for business at noon on Friday 21st December and re-open for business at noon on Wednesday 2nd January. Please would all shop customers note that the last posting date for Christmas is 20th December and that any orders received after this date will not be processed before the 2nd of January. The BGA staff and contractors would like to take this opportunity to wish all BGA club members and their families the very best for a happy Christmas and a successful New Year. CAA MGIR Course Groundschool 18th December 2007 The BGA's 2008 groundschool for the CAA Motor Glider Instructor Rating (MGIR) will be held from the 25th to the 28th January. Further details are here. Letters of Agreement Updated 14th December 2007 The Letters of Agreement page has been updated and now contains details of LOAs covering Luton TMA access (London GC), LTCA access during competitions (Lasham, Booker and Husbands Bosworth), Lyneham and Brize Norton class D access during competitions (any host club). Accountancy Assistance 13th December 2007 The BGA treasurer is looking for some assistance with the process of streamlining our central accounting processes. If there is a volunteer with an accountancy background, with practical knowledge of accounting software, and lives within a reasonable distance of the Leicester office (not vital), who would be prepared to give advice on this specific issue and a small amount of hands on time, please contact John Birch. December Newsletter 6th December 2007 The BGA newsletter for December has been published and can be viewed here. Gliding on TV 28th November 2007 The Nature of Britain will feature about 5 minutes of gliding, shot in the Cairngorms from Feshiebridge with Alan Titchmarsh. The show is on BBC1 at 9pm, 28th November (tonight), and repeated on Sunday 2nd December, BBC2 at 6pm. The feature is likely to be the opening 5 minutes. Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Award 20th November 2007 The British Women’s Gliding Team was one of three nominees for the Champions Award at the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year ceremony, held at Lords Cricket Ground earlier today. The award was won by world water ski slalom champion, Nicole Arthur, but being one of only three shortlisted for the award was a fantastic recognition for the gliding team that was so successful in the world championships earlier this year at Romorantin. This can only help raise our profile, both with the public, potential sponsors and the media. Congratulations. UK Round of World Sailplane Grand Prix Series 18th November 2007 The FAI has asked the UK to bid to hold one of the 2008 Sailplane Grand Prix events in the UK. The British Gliding Association is now inviting bids from organisations interested in hosting this media friendly event. The leading two pilots after the week long British Grand Prix will qualify for the world final which will be held in late 2009. Any organisation which is interested in hosting the 2008 British Grand Prix is invited to contact the British Gliding Association for further details. Review of the CAA 18th November 2007 The Secretary of State for Transport has commissioned an independent review of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). As part of this, interested individuals and organisations have been invited to comment. The BGA will be responding to this invitation, but is not asking members to take any direct action. More information is at on the DfT web site. Avian Influenza (AI) 13th November 2007 An outbreak of the virulent H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza has been confirmed at a turkey farm on the Norfolk-Suffolk border, near Diss. The BGA is monitoring the situation. A protected zone and surveillance zone have been established around the infected farm, along with a wider restricted zone that covers much of Norfolk and all of Suffolk. For details see http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/latest-situation/index.htm Airsports World on Sky 7th November 2007 The second programme in the Airsports World series includes a feature on this year’s Women’s World Gliding Championships. The programme is being screened as follows: Monday 12 November – 1630 (Sky Sports 3) and 1800 (Sky Sports Xtra); Tuesday 13 November – 1130 (Sky Sports 3) and 1430 (Sky Sports 1); Wednesday 14 November – 1600 (Sky Sports 3). Note that times are subject to change. British Team Manager 1st November 2007 (re-advertisement) The British Gliding Team Manager, Brian Spreckley, intends to step down from this voluntary role during 2007. If you feel that you are able to contribute to the continuing success of the British Gliding Team in this voluntary leadership role by maintaining the focus on excellence and continuing to develop our strong competitive philosophy, we would really like to hear from you. Please forward a brief CV including covering letter headed ‘Team Manager’ to Russell Cheetham, Chairman of the BGA Competitions and Awards Committee, via Pete Stratten at the BGA office. Team Sponsorship Manager 1st November 2007 (re-advertisement) The British Gliding Team will also shortly require the assistance of a Sponsorship Manager. If you have the appropriate experience, skills and time available to join the British Team in this important part-time remunerated role, please let us know. Please forward a brief CV including covering letter headed ‘Sponsorship Manager’ to Russell Cheetham, Chairman of the BGA Competitions and Awards Committee, via Pete Stratten at the BGA office. FLARM Frequency - 31st October 2007 There is currently an OFCOM consultation open regarding proposed amendments to UK Wireless Telegraphy Licence Exemptions. One of the amendments proposed is to remove restrictions on the airborne use of short range devices using certain frequency bands. This change would facilitate the use of FLARM in the UK. Details of the consultation, which is open until 27th November, are on the OFCOM web site. The relevant sections of the consultation document are a) section 6.8, the table on page 29 and question 4 of the response form. Please Participate in the Active People Survey - 30th October 2007 MORI, on behalf of Sport England, will be conducting a major telephone survey over the whole of the next twelve months to gauge the level of sporting participation throughout England. Gliding is one of the recognised sports for the purpose of the survey. Statistically, only a small number of glider pilots are likely to be contacted by MORI but we are appealing to anybody who is asked to participate in the survey to agree to do so and to make a point of revealing their gliding activity. Funding for sport is increasingly being linked to participation levels and this is an opportunity to help central agencies see the level of gliding activity. By participating, you will be improving the chances of funding at all levels of our sport. One of the questions in the survey asks how often you have participated in the sport in the previous thee months. Each individual participation episode should be counted, not simply the number of days when you flew. If, on one day, for example, you flew once yourself, helped at the launch point for a couple of hours and, at the end of the day, spent half an hour packing the hangar, this would count as three participations. More information about the survey is on the Sport England web site. Currency Advice - 25th October 2007 Pilots and clubs are reminded that guidance about currency is available here. Although this information has been available for some time, we now are publicising it again, when many pilots are heading off to fly at other sites, as it contains specific advice regarding visiting pilots. Aviation Fuel Duty Consultation 24th October 2007 The General Aviation Alliance has responded to this consultation on behalf of its members, including the BGA. The consultation seeks views on the possible options for complying with the Energy Products Directive following the expiry of the derogations permitting the application of reduced rates on fuel used by private pleasure flying. A copy of the GA Alliance response is here. Anybody who wishes to make their own response should not simply cut and paste from this document as this will devaluate the response assessment which needs to be seen as individual. The HMRC consultation document is here (deadline for submission of responses is 31st October). EASA Glider C of A Transition Update - 18th October 2007 All EASA glider owners are reminded that the transition documents have been updated to include the letter of agreement which is now required as part of any transition application. To minimise the risk of submitting an incomplete transition application, please refer to this section of the website before submitting your transition application. EASA NPA 2007-08 Part M Consultation Latest - 8th October 2007 As previously noted, although the BGA is developing its response to NPA 2007-08. we are urging members to respond to the consultation on an individual basis. A draft version of the BGA response text can be viewed here. Members who are planning to respond should develop their own comments and submit them through the EASA comment response tool. Please remember that EASA identifies and ignores 'boilerplated' responses - your comments in your own words are important. Its not easy to contribute to this consultation, but our experience is that a limited response by affected parties is viewed by regulators as limited interest, however erroneous that view may be. This very important consultation affecting all owners of EASA aircraft and gliders closes on the 13th of October Regional Safety Officer - 8th October 2007 The BGA is seeking an additional 5 volunteer Regional Safety Officers (RSO's) to provide enhanced safety management support to clubs. The RSO role is key to ongoing BGA and member club safety management and also provides a safety assurance function for the BGA as a whole. Prospective RSO's should ideally have the capability and capacity to visit an allocation of between 5 and 6 clubs on a rotational basis. They will also be invited to sit on the BGA Safety Committee, and help to establish BGA Safety Management System policy and direction Applicants for this voluntary role should apply in the first instance to the Chairman BGA Safety Committee via the BGA office. A short gliding CV outlining relevant experience should accompany the application, along with a suitable endorsement from either the applicants club CFI or current RSO. Funeral Arrangements - Dick Stratton - Updated 5th October 2007 Further to the family request for no flowers, donations may be made by cheque or cash to the organising undertaker. The family have advised us that they will disperse the donations to three chosen charitable causes. October Newsletter 3rd October 2007 The BGA newsletter for October has been published and can be viewed here. Bluetongue Disease 1st October 2007 We do not believe that the Bluetongue disease which has been identified in Suffolk is an issue for gliding at this moment. DEFRA has not imposed any restrictions on the movement of pedestrians, dog walkers or horse riders in the control and protection zones. The BGA will continue to monitor both this and the foot and mouth disease situation and will alert pilots to any changes to the current advice via the BGA web site. Any pilot landing out should continue to be aware of and sensitive to the concerns of the farming community at this worrying time. More details of the disease and the control and protection zones are on the DEFRA web site. Funeral Arrangements - Dick Stratton - 1st October 2007 Dick's funeral will take place at the Banbury Crematorium, Southam Road, Banbury, OX16 1ST at 1 pm on Friday 12th October. All are welcome but please note that seating is limited to 100 and cannot be booked. The family has requested no flowers. The funeral will be followed by a wake at the Windrushers GC, Bicester, OX26 5HA at 2pm on the same day. All are welcome to attend. Donations by cheque or cash should be made to the organising undertaker. The family will disperse the donations to three chosen charitable causes. Dick Stratton 20th September 2007 It is with great sadness that we report that Dick Stratton passed away peacefully this afternoon Thursday 20th September at 3 pm. He will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues throughout the gliding community. Many of us owe a huge debt of gratitude to Dick who spent so much of his long life successfully leading, supporting and encouraging people in all forms of aviation and in particular gliding. In 1981, Dick was awarded the RAeC Silver Medal for outstanding achievement in aviation. We will provide details of funeral arrangements in due course. EASA Glider C of A Transition Update 19th September 2007 Following ongoing discussion with the CAA, please note that for transition there is no longer a requirement to replace the BGA glider logbook with a CAA aircraft logbook. The BGA published EASA glider C of A transition procedures and guidelines will be amended. A Part M compliant aircraft logbook will be required under Part M which is due to be implemented in September 2008. The BGA glider logbook is not currently Part M compliant. Further advice re a Part M compliant glider logbook will be published in due course. NPA 2007-08 Regarding Part M 18th September 2007 The BGA is currently working on its response to this important NPA regarding the future regulation of continuing airworthiness that is expected to be implemented in September 2008. The key points from the BGA response will be published on this website as soon as possible. Those from the gliding community who responded during the previous round of consultation are asked to do so again, taking into account the changes within the NPA. When responding, please remember that these responses should be in your own words - boilerplated responses will be effectively disregarded. You can access the consultation document through EASA's Comment Response Tool. ATSOCAS Consultation 16th September 2007 The CAA has begun a period of consultation over its proposals for new air traffic control services outside of controlled airspace (ATSOCAS). The proposals and details of how to respond are on the CAA web site. The consultation period finishes on 14 December. ANO Amendments 13th September 2007 An amendment to the Air Navigation Order has been published. In general, pure gliders are not affected by the changes, but operators of SLMGs should be aware that there is now a requirement for additional safety equipment to be carried during flights over water: lifejackets when flying beyond gliding range of land suitable for making an emergency landing and an ELT when more than 10 minutes flying time from land suitable for making an emergency landing. Foot and Mouth Update 12th September 2007 (latest update 16th September) The BGA is actively monitoring the two confirmed outbreaks of foot and mouth near Egham in Surrey. As with last month's outbreak, we advise pilots to operate in such a way that there is no risk of a field landing within the surveillance zone that has been established (see DEFRA website - follow this link for details of the zone). Pilots are also advised to act with utmost sensitivity in the event of any field landing during this extremely worrying time for the farming industry. Pilots are also reminded of the BGA Code of Practice for field landings as published within BGA Laws and Rules. Please monitor this website and the DEFRA website for further updates. Regional Safety Officer 10th September 2007 The new RSO for the West Country is John Hull. Further information can be found here. September Newsletter 5th September 2007 The BGA newsletter for September has been published and can be viewed here. NPA 2007-08 23rd August 2007 There has been an extension to the consultation period for NPA 2007-08 (EASA's notice of proposed amendment regarding revised Part M continuing airworthiness requirements for aircraft not used in commercial air transport and pilot owner maintenance). Responses are now due by 13th October. The BGA is currently working on its response but would ask that those who responded during the previous round of consultation do so again, taking into account the changes within the NPA. When responding, please remember that these responses should be in your own words - boilerplated responses will be effectively disregarded. You can access the consultation document through EASA's Comment Response Tool. (Note that the link previously published in the BGA newsletter has been superceded). Instructor Course Availability 23rd August 2007 Due to a cancellation there is a place available on the Assistant Instructor course to be held at Husbands Bosworth between 1st and 9th September. More details from Debbie at the BGA office. Applying for an EASA C of A - Important Update 21st August 2007 Details of the process for the issue of an EASA C of A and associated ARC are now becoming clearer. The BGA will be submitting applications to the CAA in fortnightly batches. We believe that the subsequent processing time will be approximately one month from the time that applications are received by the CAA. Therefore, in order to allow time for the BGA office to check and approve applications prior to batching and submitting them to the CAA, we are now recommending that completed transition packs are received at the BGA office no later than two months prior to the expiry of a BGA C of A. We are therefore now recommending that, where possible, owners and operators begin the transition process, i.e. obtaining and starting to complete the transition pack, a full four months prior to the expiry of the BGA C of A. We realise that owners whose BGA C of A expires during October or November 2007 will not be able to meet these timescales. In these cases it will be possible to extend the BGA C of A to cover the gap between receipt of the transition pack at the BGA offices and the final issue of the EASA C of A by the CAA. More details of the transition process are in the EASA C of A Transition section of this web site.
Pete Harvey has successfully defended his European Open Class gliding title. Pete overhauled German pilot Uli Schwenk in the final race on Saturday at Issoudun in France to take the title and his third sucessive medal in the European Championships after a fortnight long battle during which the lead had changed hands between the pair a number of times. Leigh Wells took the bronze medal in the 15m class. Other UK results: Tim Scott (15m) - 18th; Russell Cheetham (18m) - 5th; Phil Jones (18m) - 7th; Steve Jones (Open) - 6th; Kim Tipple (Open) - 10th. Another Award for David Roberts 17th August 2007 The BGA is delighted to report that the FAI has awarded a Tissandier Diploma to David Roberts, the immediate past Chairman of the BGA and current chairman of our regulatory committee. The award is made to those who have served the cause of aviation in general, and sporting aviation in particular through exceptional work. The award is the third major aviation award that David has collected this year - in May he was presented with the BGA Gold Medal and the Air League's Jeffrey Quill Medal. Parachuting Drop Zones 14th August 2007 There have been two recent incidents where gliders were alleged to have flown within active DZ's - in one case the glider, a Discus, flew underneath descending parachutists endangering a number of people. Previously stated guidance is repeated here - parachute DZ's should be treated as active at all times and avoided unless positive contact and entry agreement has been made on the designated DZ frequency. The only exception is where the glider pilot has been locally briefed and is flying under local agreement between co-located parachute and gliding club operations. Part M Briefing 14th August 2007 EASA is holding a series of briefing workshops to explain the proposed changes to 'Part M' - light aircraft maintenance rules for aircraft not involved in commercial air transport. The only UK date is 4th September at the PFA headquarters, Turweston. The briefing is directed at anyone involved with future maintenance of aircraft that fall within the scope of EASA and which are operated non-commercially and all aircraft owners, pilots, associations and maintenance organisations are invited. More details are available here. EASA CofA Transition Pack 10th August 2007 The EASA CofA transition pack is now available for download here. August Newsletter 9th August 2007 The BGA newsletter for August has been published and can be viewed here. Badge Claims 7th August 2007 Please note that due to unforseen circumstances, FAI badge claims submitted to the BGA are likely to be subject to delay over the next few weeks. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. Foot & Mouth Outbreak Update 6th August 2007 Pilots are advised to operate in such a way that there is no risk of a field landing within the imposed surveillance zones (see DEFRA website). Pilots are also advised to act with utmost sensitivity in the event of any field landing during this extremely worrying time for the farming industry. Pilots are also reminded of the BGA Code of Practice for field landings as published within BGA Laws and Rules. Please monitor this website for further updates. Foot & Mouth Outbreak 4th August 2007 Pilots will be aware that a foot and mouth outbreak has been confirmed on a holding near Guildford in Surrey. The BGA has instigated a monitoring process and will review the situation on a continuing basis. Pilots will be kept informed of any developments via the web site and, if appropriate, via the BGA Email alerting system. If you have not already subscribed to receive alerts, you can do so by following this link. You can keep abreast of the latest situation via the DEFRA web site. A RA(T) has been established within a two mile radius of the outbreak site. Please check NOTAMs before flight for the latest situation. Gill Spreckley on Radio 2 3rd August 2007 New World Women's Gliding Champion Gill Spreckley will be interviewed tonight on the Chris Evans Drivetime show on Radio 2. The interview is expected to be broadcast at approx 1845. You can also listen on the web for up to a week after the broadcast. Aviation Fuel Duty Consultation 2nd August 2007 An HMRC consultation document has been published that seeks views on the possible options for complying with the Energy Products Directive following the expiry of the derogations permitting the application of reduced rates on fuel used by private pleasure flying. This important issue has been subject to lobbying by general aviation and air sports. The consultation document is here. Cloud Appreciation Society and Gliding on TV 30th July 2007 The founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, takes to the air in a glider to chase clouds. Over the coming weeks, The One Show on BBC1 (7pm) will be showing five 3 minute pieces, each focusing on a different cloud type. The screenings will be on Thursday 2 August, Monday 6 August, Wednesday 8 August, Tuesday 14 August and Thursday 16 August. The first screening will definitely feature gliding. Although we know that there will be coverage in some of the other screenings, we do not at this stage know which ones. EASA Certificates of Airworthiness 27th July 2007 On the 28th September 2008, the exemption from European airworthiness rules that the majority of British gliders currently enjoy comes to an end. From that date on, virtually all British gliders will have to have an EASA Certificate of Airworthiness and associated Airworthiness Review Certificate in order to continue flying. To ensure that all gliders will have the correct certification by the 28th September 2008 deadline, the BGA has agreed with the CAA that we will begin the process of transition from the current system of BGA Certificates of Airworthiness on 1st October 2007. If your glider has a BGA C of A that expires on or after October 1st 2007, you will not be able to apply for a new BGA C of A. Instead, you will need to apply for an EASA C of A. An article in the latest Sailplane & Gliding describes the process that all owners will need to follow to transition to an EASA C of A. This is backed up by a new section of the web site, dedicated to the issue, which you can find here. Two British Golds at Women's World Championships 21st July 2007
Latest Temporary Restricted Airspace 21st July 2007 Details of the latest areas of temporary Restricted Airspace – RA(T)s – have been published. These include details of the fast jet display areas through to the end of September. All RA(T)s must be observed by all pilots. The latest RA(T)s include one established for the Elvington air show near York. In previous years, Red Arrows displays there have had to be cancelled because of unauthorised airspace incursions. Be aware and act accordingly. A summary of all notified RA(T)s is available in calendar form in the Airspace Section. This is provided as an aid to glider pilots but you are reminded to read the full AICs on the AIS web site and check NOTAMs before every flight. Safety Committee Chairman 10th July 2007 The BGA is delighted to announce that Brian Penfold has been appointed as the Chairman of the BGA Safety Committee. Brian, a competition pilot and club instructor, brings a professional background in engineering and operational flight safety management to this very important voluntary role. Brian's contact details are here. Flying in France – Annex II Gliders 9th July 2007 As previously reported (30th April 2007), an EASA glider with a BGA Certificate of Airworthiness can be flown in any EU member state. July Newsletter 5th July 2007 You can view the BGA Newsletter for July here. Web Site Changes 3rd July 2007 In an attempt to simplify navigation of the Information for Clubs & Members section of the website, the menu structure has been modified. In doing so, some headings have been changed to better reflect content. In particular, the Technical section has been renamed Airworthiness and the NPPL section is now titled Pilot Licensing. A new section, Get Involved, lists current volunteer opportunities. NPA 2007-08 3rd July 2007 EASA has published a Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA 2007-08) regarding the continuing airworthiness of aircraft not used in commercial air transport (Part M) and is inviting comments on their proposals. The consultation period ends on 28 September and the BGA will post advice on the BGA website in late August for those who need further information. You can access the NPA and read details about how to respond on the EASA web site . If responding, please note that it is absolutely vital that you do so in your own words. We know that boilerplated responses – no matter how many of them there are – will be treated as a single response in the weighting of opinion, effectively rendering them valueless. Sibson Frequency Change 3rd July 2007 The CAA have advised that the Sibson radio frequency will change to 120.325MHz with effect 19 July 2007. Any aircraft approaching Sibson that is unable to determine the status of the promulgated drop zone from the published contacts should assume that the zone is active to FL150 and should be avoided. BBC South Today Clip Now Available 25th June 2007 The BBC South Today video clip publicising the VGC Rally at Parham is now available here. Flying Near Airfields 18th June 2007 It is not unusual for struggling cross country pilots to find themselves attracted to any one of numerous GA airfields and strips that can accommodate a glider. Many of these airfields have a designated and published radio frequency. By using common sense, by use of the radio and by carefully considering the needs of others, gliders mix very safely and successfully with other types of aviation and are invariably made welcome. Indeed, it is not unknown for powered operators to adjust their operation to accommodate a climbing glider once they are aware of the situation. Once in a while, the BGA hears about an incident where a cross country flying glider pilot appears to ignore all normal safety and airmanship considerations in his or her efforts to avoid a land out at an airfield. Apart from the negative PR that this generates, there are serious flight safety and legal implications. All cross country pilots are reminded of the need to communicate and 'fit in' with local traffic when changing soaring conditions result in the need to fly in proximity to or land at an airfield or strip. June Newsletter 5th June 2007 You can view the BGA Newsletter for June here. More Vintage Gliding on TV 2nd June 2007 - updated 25th June The VGC Rally at Southdown GC has had some great TV publicity with both BBC South Today and Meridian Tonight featuring the event. The BBC clip is now available here. VFR Chart Amendment News-Feed 1st June 2007 The CAA has added a internet-based news-feed facility to the VFR Charting section of the CAA website aimed at simplifying the task of updating CAA VFR charts. This service provides information on all chart amendments. Subscribers can choose to receive the latest information either by Email or via RSS feeds. You can subscribe to this free service here. BGA Instructor Course 1st June 2007 Places are still available on the following BGA Instructors Course: Bicester, 23 June – 1 July (IC8) For more details, please contact Debbie at the BGA office. British Team Manager 30th May 2007 The British Gliding Team Manager, Brian Spreckley, intends to step down from this voluntary role during 2007. If you feel that you are able to contribute to the continuing success of the British Gliding Team in this voluntary leadership role by maintaining the focus on excellence and continuing to develop our strong competitive philosophy, we would really like to hear from you. Please forward a brief CV including covering letter headed ‘Team Manager’ to Russell Cheetham, Chairman of the BGA Competitions and Awards Committee, via Pete Stratten at the BGA office. Team Sponsorship Manager 30th May 2007 The British Gliding Team will also shortly require the assistance of a Sponsorship Manager. If you have the appropriate experience, skills and time available to join the British Team in this important voluntary role, please let us know. Please forward a brief CV including covering letter headed ‘Sponsorship Manager’ to Russell Cheetham, Chairman of the BGA Competitions and Awards Committee, via Pete Stratten at the BGA office. Badge Claim Turnpoints 30th May 2007 Although any point can be used as a turnpoint when submitting a badge claim with logger evidence, it would greatly help the BGA Badge Secretary if pilots planning badge flights could try to only use official BGA turnpoints as this makes checking claims much easier. If you do use a point that is not on the official BGA list, and this includes some National Ladder TP's, you must include its latitude and longitude in the declaration. The BGA turnpoint list is here. Temporary Restricted Airspace - New Web Facility 24th May 2007 As part of our efforts to ensure that no glider pilot enters areas of Temporary Restricted Airspace – RA(T)s – we have enhanced the airspace section of the BGA web site to provide an at-a–glance calendar summarising all areas affected by RA(T)s on any given day. The calendar links through to the relevant Aeronautical Information Circulars that provide definitive details of the RA(T). Bookmark this link now and use it regularly: http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/airspace/rats.php. Hopefully this will prove a useful aid to the safety of all but it is not a substitute for checking NOTAMs before every flight. Vintage Gliders on TV 24th May 2007 BBC South Today is featuring vintage gliders at Parham to help promote the vintage glider rally there this weekend. The BBC is filming today and we are expecting a 4-5 minute feature, cutting in to a live winch launch followed by the weather forecast. The programme goes out between 6.30 and 7pm on BBC1 in the southern region. Set your VCRs or watch the programme on the South Today web site. Motor Glider Info Added 23rd May 2007 The section of the web site previously dedicated to tug pilots and tugging operations has been expanded (and renamed) to cater for our motor glider pilots. There is a significant overlap between the two aspects: many glider pilots are also involved with both sorts of flying; licensing issues are often common and, increasingly, motor gliders themselves are being used as tugs. Site content will be John Marriott, the BGA’s chief tug pilot and Andy Miller, the BGA Senior Regional Examiner (Motor Gliders). They intend to develop a FAQs section. The first motor glider specific item to be posted is the BGA Motor Glider Handbook. Air League Awards 23rd May 2007 The Air League made awards to David Roberts and to Leigh Wells at their Annual Reception on May 22nd. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh presented David with the League’s Jeffrey Quill Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of air-mindedness in Britain’s youth and for his continuing work in the European regulatory sphere. Leigh Wells, winner of the Standard Class at last year’s world championships, was presented with a framed scroll for his outstanding contribution to gliding and aviation and for his personal contribution in representing the UK in international gliding competitions. Mode S - CAA Announces Next Steps 22nd May 2007 The CAA has today published details regarding the proposed future implementation of mode S as an interoperability solution. The contents of this announcement are familiar to the BGA from our ongoing dialogue with the CAA. The BGA is currently working on its response. The CAA wants to maintain a working relationship with the BGA and as dialogue continues we will continue to keep you informed of progress via this web site and S&G. Input from the membership may be requested in due course, so please stay engaged with this important issue over the coming months. BGA Award for David Roberts 21st May 2007
Vintage Gliding Club Rally 3rd May 2007 The UK National Rally will take place at Southdown Gliding Club between 26th May and 1st June. Over 30 vintage gliders are expected to take part. More details at the VGC site. May Newsletter 2nd May 2007 You can download the BGA Newsletter for May here. Flying in France 30th April 2007 (update to news item dated 17 April) We have received confirmation from the CAA that an EASA Permit to Fly is not required for BGA gliders flying in France under exemption E1116 (ORS4-628). GPS Jamming Trials 27th April 2007 GPS jamming trials will be held on behalf of the MOD between 8-18 May, based around the MOD Sennybridge Training Area in Powys. Predictions show that the affected area will be up to 76nm from the transmitter site in all directions at 30,000ft. More details are in AIC 38/2007 (Pink 116). Safe Winch Launching 25th April 2007 The BGA Safety Initiative team has produced an updated version of the Safe Winch Launching leaflet. This incorporates minor, but important revisions to the advice previously published and we urge all pilots to read this latest edition. Copies have been sent to all clubs and an electronic version is available here. If any pilot is unsure about any of the advice, please seek further guidance from an instructor. Additional information for instructors is also available as is a set of guidance notes. BGA Instructor Courses 24th April 2007 Places are still available on the following BGA Instructors Courses: Lasham, 2-10 June(IC6); Husbands Bosworth, 2-10 June (IC7); Bicester, 23 June – 1 July (IC8); Wolds GC, 8-16 Sept (IC11). For more details, please contact Debbie at the BGA office. Heathrow Flight Briefing Unit 22nd April 2007 The Heathrow Flight Briefing Unit has moved and therefore has new contact numbers. They have been promulgated by NOTAM and are as follows: 020 8750 2615 / 2616 (was 020 8745 3111 / 3163). Fax number is now 020 8750 2617 / 2618 was (020 8745 3491 / 3492). We believe the old numbers may be re-routed, but using the new numbers is the most reliable contact method. CAA Mode S Update 22nd April 2007 The CAA has published an update which provides a summary of the key issues that arose from the Public Consultation and the CAA response. The document, which also contains information on the proposed "Next Steps," is available on the CAA web site. Although this update is encouraging, the BGA remains cautious and will continue to engage in discussion with DAP. We do, however, appreciate the CAA’s willingness to work with us on this very important issue. European Soaring Club 22nd April 2007 The ESC, which operates mostly in Spain for the benefit of UK pilots, is looking for someone who would like to take over the operation for the future. The club has a very well established operation and hosts many UK and overseas pilots. If you are interested and want to find out more, Email Brian Spreckley. Flying in France 17th April 2007 (see 30th April update above) BGA glider owners who have recently applied for a DGAC Permit to Fly in France have been informed that the DGAC can no longer issue a permit because of changes in EC Regulation. The BGA believes that a CAA Exemption that allows gliders that hold a BGA C of A to be exempt from the requirement to have an EASA C of A until September 2008 may negate any need to have the French permit. We are currently seeking CAA confirmation that our interpretation is correct. When the CAA answer the question we will report back via the website. The exemption in question can be viewed here. April Newsletter 5th April 2007 You can download the BGA Newsletter for April here. BGA National Coach Appointment 2nd April 2007 In late 2006 the BGA sought applications for the newly revised post of BGA National Coach. The high standard demonstrated by the applicants has made the selection task difficult. Following very careful consideration, the BGA is delighted to announce that Mike Fox has been appointed as BGA National Coach with effect from the 2nd April 2007. Mike, 31, a member at the Wolds GC at Pocklington in Yorkshire, is an established gliding instructor examiner, a successful competition pilot and a cross country coach. Mike will be working full time for the BGA and therefore its member clubs, providing vital professional support to glider pilot development and gliding instructor training activity throughout the UK. Mike's contact details will in due course be updated in the instructing section of this website.
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Pete Harvey Successfuly Defends European Title
Sarah Kelman and Gill Spreckley have struck gold at the Women's World Gliding Championships which finished today at Romarantin in France. After nine days' racing Sarah won the Standard Class by a comfortable margin after having led the contest since the opening day. Gill took gold in the Club Class after the lead had changed a number of times, but eventually came through to win convincingly. These wins mirror the 2001 championships where Sarah and Gill also both won individual gold medals. Rose Johnson and Liz Sparrow finished fourth and fifth respectively in the Club Class; Kay Draper also came fourth in the Standard Class; and Lucy Withall was eighth in the 15m Class. Congratulations to all the girls. Full details and results are on 