In This Issue
Winter blues? Find out how it is possible to find lift even on a relatively flat site in the middle of winter in the Feb/March issue of S&G, which also introduces a gliding site in the French Alps yet to be discovered by many UK pilots. While you are dreaming of flying in the mountains, make sure you read the feature on how and when to use oxygen. There is also a report on our new Junior World Champion.
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More about this issue
There are many things to be gained from flying in winter, from improving your skills to the potential of an epic flight. Flatland pilots need something to look forward to during the dark days of winter. Colin Weyman uses his experience of flying at Old Sarum to illustrate how it is possible to find topographical features near enough to your airfield that could enable you to double, or even treble, your average flight time.
Finding the best lift is the subject of this issue’s Ask the Coach feature, where Tony Cronshaw asks coach Kevin Atkinson to explain how streets behave in the presence of wind shear and inversions.
The British Gliding Team experienced some epic and challenging flying conditions during the Junior World Gliding Championships in Narromine, Australia. Club Class World Champion Tom Arscott says he achieved far more than he had dreamt possible. Tom achieved his first 500km, Gold height, three day podiums, his first comp win and, most importantly, the title of World Champion!
You don’t have to be racing along streets at 12,000ft, as they did in the Junior Worlds, to use oxygen during a flight. You need it to stay fresh and awake, flying at height anywhere. It will help you on the better UK thermal days and certainly in the wave flying such as we see on the Ladder in Wales, Scotland and the North East. With advice that older pilots should use twice the oxygen supply recommended for fit young people, John McWilliam’s article is essential reading.
Good knowledge of how and when to use oxygen is beneficial if you plan to fly in the French Alps. Puimoisson is a gem of a gliding site not yet discovered by many UK pilots, which offers new gliding opportunities on a relaxed, but very efficient site in a beautiful part of France. The airfield is midway between St Auban and Fayence, and lies just north west of Lac St Croix, sitting at 2,500ft amsl on the Plateau de Valensole, famous as the world’s capital for beautiful lavender fields in bloom from June to mid-July.
Also in this issue: Mark Dalton faces a trial by fire when he volunteers to help with a retrieve from a sorghum stubble field. Matt Cook asks are comps for you?, with some of the UK’s top pilots revealing why they value competitions. David Innes shares another insight into his professional and gliding past. Dave Bromley reviews Kevin Atkinson’s book Gliding in Lift & G-SINK. Robbie Robertson reviews Soaring Flight, a book of Peter Lanyon’s gliding paintings, published to accompany a major exhibition of the artist’s work. Justin Wills reflects on retrieves ancient and modern. Dave Latimer reports from the 2015 BGA Club Management Conference. Bruce Stephenson describes an American gliding vacation with a difference. Chris Fox and Ed Downham look at themes emerging from Airprox involving gliders from 2014-2015. Plus there are many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages.
Fly safely and have fun
Susan Newby
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
Champions!
Andy Davis gives a team captain’s perspective of the Junior Worlds that saw Team GB bring home a Gold and two Bronze medals
Highs and lows of the Junior Worlds
Matt Davis and Tom Arscott reveal their highlights of a rollercoaster of a competition
Impact of wind shear on lift
Tony Cronshaw asks top coach Kevin Atkinson to explain how streets behave in the presence of wind shear and inversions, and how to find the best lift
Soar in winter from flat site
Colin Weyman explores how it is possible to find lift even on a relatively flat site in the middle of winter
Field of fire
When Mark Dalton volunteered to help with a retrieve from a sorghum stubble field, little did he know that he would face a trial by fire
Breathe easily and fly safely
With many pilots enjoying high altitude flying in wave in the UK, John McWilliam looks at the use of oxygen and why you need it more than you think
Why fly comps?
National and international comp pilot Matt Cook asks are comps for you? Some of the UK’s top pilots reveal why they value competitions
A farewell to Wittering
…or wittering in more ways than one, as David Innes shares another insight into his professional and gliding past
Gliding in Lift & G-SINK
Dave Bromley reviews Kevin Atkinson’s book, developed from his work as lead coach in the BGA’s Aim Higher initiative
Soaring Flight
Robbie Robertson reviews a book of Peter Lanyon’s gliding paintings, published to accompany a major exhibition of the artist’s work
Gliding in Provence
Phil Sturley flies from a relaxed and efficient gliding site yet to be discovered by many British glider pilots
Retrieves: ancient and modern
Justin Wills reflects on retrieves and how landouts in 2015 provided moments just as interesting as those back in the 1950s
Vintage USA
Bruce Stephenson describes an American gliding vacation with a difference and invites you to attend IVSM, 9-16 July
Education key to cut Airprox
Chris Fox and Ed Downham look at themes emerging from Airprox involving gliders from 2014-2015 and what we can do to minimise the risk of having one
Also in this issue:
BGA news; your letters; Gliding Gallery; Club Gallery; Club Focus – Wrekin; club management conference report; club news; obituaries; BGA badges; incident and accident summaries
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Classic S&G Articles
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Flying in the Alps
Exploiting Opposing Airmasses
Picking the Racing Line
…………and more
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