December – January 2007

At this time of year in the UK, nothing can beat those rare, magical days when the grey of winter unexpectedly breaks. The sun shines, the whole world looks different and, if you’re lucky, then a wind of just the right strength blows from just the right direction for ridge or wave. In the December-January S&G, Trevor Stuart describes how one such day gave him and a friend a gem of a flight, while Gliding Gallery showcases how pilots from England, Wales and Scotland have been exploring winter soaring.

Back on the ground it’s been an eventful time for the BGA, quite literally, with two important events reported in this issue. In October, it was great to see so many dedicated and capable volunteers at the first event – the BGA Chairmen’s Conference/Treasurers’ Forum – and to hear how clubs across the country are dealing with the challenges many of us face. Self-reliance, intelligent judgment and pragmatism have been hallmarks of British gliding’s self-governance throughout its history; it’s good to see all of them in play as we move into the next phase of change for our sport.

The second significant event, in November at the RAF Club in London’s Piccadilly, was very much a celebration of past, present and future. It’s now more than 50 years since HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, became the British Gliding Association’s Patron and the BGA marked the occasion with a formal luncheon and the presentation to Prince Philip of a photograph of a Duo Discus against a backdrop of blue sky and cumulus. The event, organised by Rose Johnson, was attended by a good cross-section of British gliding, and genuinely much enjoyed by all.

Also in this issue, Jochen Ewald flies and enthuses about the new 18-metre version of the Antares; Roddy Maddocks tries out five mainstream gliding simulators and offers a personal view on which he thinks is best; Andy Perkins updates us on opportunities to further your gliding or power flying; while Mike Witton and John Marsh explain what it’s like to be a Basic Instructor – and what they get out of it. We print all UK nationals and regionals results along with reports from Pete Harvey on the first UK Gliding Grand Prix, Richard Smith on the Open Class Nationals, Junior Champion Mark Holden on the race for a place at Rieti, and – for those of you sorting out next summer’s UK comps – the provisional BGA ratings list.

Enjoy planning 2007’s flying – but don’t forget to grab the flying fun you can have this winter, at home or abroad.