Safety
Accident Review. The BGA review of accidents in 2012 has been published. Particular areas of concern are the continued occurrence of accidents in gliders that were not correctly prepared for flight, particularly incorrect or incomplete rigging; an increase in potentially lethal tug upsets; and, although stall/spin accidents associated with winch launches have reduced significantly, the frequency of accidents following a wing drop shows no signs of decreasing. Bulk copies of the leaflet have been mailed to all CFIs; please ask for a copy. Alternatively, you can download a PDF copy from http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/documents/accidentreview2012web.pdf
Temporary Restricted Airspace. With summer just around the corner (!), we are starting to receive regular notifications of temporary restricted airspace – RA(T) – to protect air displays and other major events. These are published on the NATS web site - http://www.nats-uk.eadit.com/ : follow links to Aeronautical Information Circulars (AICs) and, from the AIC index, follow the link to Mauve. Although not yet published, these AICs will include details of airspace restrictions for the Red Arrows. Please ensure that you are aware of RA(T) areas when flight planning. For 2013, the BGA will again provide a summary of known RA(T) areas in calendar format at https://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/airspace/rats.php
Airworthiness Directives. Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 4DT, Duo Discus T and Arcus T – FM and MM Amendments. EASA has superseded the previously advised AD 2013-0012 with AD 20130054 amending the inspection requirements in the applicable Technical Note, Action 3 – Accomplishment Instructions. The AD is on the EASA site at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2013_0054.pdf/AD_2013-0054_1
Regulatory
Pilot Licence Conversion. The final detail of the conversion process from BGA Gliding Certificate and endorsements to a Part-FCL Sailplane Pilot Licence - SPL - or Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (Sailplanes) – LAPL(S) - has yet to be agreed by the CAA. As soon as the detail is available, it will be published along with the existing guidance at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/licensing/easalicensing.htm. Any pilot who wishes to fly an EASA sailplane after 7th April 2015 will need to hold an SPL or a LAPL(S).
FTROL Language Proficiency Endorsements. As mentioned in the December 2012 Newsletter, power pilots applying for a new EASA Part-FCL licence must have a valid level 6 English Language Endorsement before their licence can be issued. No such requirement exists for sailplane pilots converting to either a LAPL(S) or SPL licence. However, sailplane pilots who hold a Flight Telephony Radio Operator’s Licence (FTROL) and who wish to add this existing FTROL onto their new LAPL(S)/SPL do need to have their FTROL endorsed with level 6 English language proficiency.
Review of Norwich Controlled Airspace. Following the establishment of controlled airspace for Norwich Airport in 2012, the CAA is carrying out a Post-implementation Review. This is a normal part of the Airspace Change Process. The CAA states, 'The purpose of the Review is to

determine if the airspace change, as approved, has been implemented and whether the anticipated benefits have materialised. Whilst the PIR does not constitute an opportunity to revisit the original decision to approve the change, the views of those within the aviation industry are an important part of the Review.' The BGA will contribute to the review during May. If you have any comment to make about the Norwich Airspace and how it has affected your flying, please email airspace@gliding.co.uk by the end of April.
BGA
Aero Expo. The BGA will be exhibiting at the Aero Expo event at Sywell from 31st May to 2nd June. If you would like to help out, promoting gliding to an aviation-aware audience, please contact keith@gliding.co.uk. If you are going to be there and need your level 6 English Language Proficiency signed off (see item in the Regulatory section above), PCS chairman Jon Cooke and LAA coach John Brady will be available on the LAA stand to sign this off.
Aim Higher. Aim Higher is a wide-ranging and long term BGA project which aims to help clubs support the development of their club pilots by meeting their developmental needs and, in doing so, encourage everyone to raise their sights on what is possible given the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence. It's targeted at any post-Bronze or licensed pilot - no age limitation. Details of the initiative, together with a wide range of resources are on the new Aim Higher page of the website at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/aimhigher.htm
Competitions and Cross-Country
2013 BGA Waypoint List. The BGA Waypoint List for 2013 has now been published and is available at www.spsys.demon.co.uk/turningpoints.htm (scroll down to sections 22-24). There are 18 new WPs and 5 old ones have been withdrawn. The withdrawals are Hemswell (HEM) and Lincoln Station (LIN) because they are too close to the Red Arrows practice zone (R313). Bassenthwaite Lake NE (BTE) has been superseded by the new BT2 which is closer to the local ridge. Pershore Airfield (PRS) no longer has a BGA club, and finally Tuxford Power Station (TUX) was demolished in July 2012. The new points include several in the Lake District for wave and ridge flying, several in the west of Scotland for wave flying, and new ones referenced to Doncaster, Ipswich, Lincoln and Perth. Finally, there are new local points for BGA Clubs at Challock, the Mynd and Portmoak.
Competition Rulebook. The 2013 edition of the Competition Rulebook is now available at http://www.gliding.co.uk/forms/competitionrules2013.pdf
Inter-Services. The Interservices Regional Gliding Competition at Merryfield has been withdrawn from the Competition Calendar. The three Service gliding organisations have decided to change the competition format in 2013 and will be operating the competition under an agreement with the Gliding Centre at Husbands Bosworth.
German Nationals. We have just been informed that there are places available for overseas pilots in the German national championships. 5 places are available in the Standard and Club Class Nationals, Lusse, 11-23rd August 2013. Full details (in German) are at http://www.luessedm2013.de Entries should be made to the Federal Commission, segelflug@daec.de, copied to wetterbewerb@luesse-dm2013.de. 3 places are available in the 18m class and an undefined but higher number in the Open class. The 18m and Open Class championships are at Mengen (southern Germany) from 20 July to 3 August. Full details are at http://www.segelflugmeisterschaft-mengen.de/ and entries should be made to wettbewerbsleitung@lsgravensburg.de . Entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

Juniors
2013 Junior Championships & Two Seater Training. The 2013 Junior Championships will be held at Nympsfield from 17-25 August. As usual, alongside the competition, we will be running a Two-Seater training course. Applications are now open for both the competition and the course. Applicants must be under 26 on 31 December 2013. If you are not sure if you will enter the competition, you can always apply for both. Although you need your Silver Badge to fly in the competition, you can apply before you complete the badge. Your place will not be confirmed until you do complete it. There are no requirements to apply for the Two-Seater training, other than being very keen. This year there is no entry fee, and there will still be a number of free aerotows available. Of course, sponsors are always welcome and any leads would be appreciated - please email pete.masson@launch-point.co.uk. Applications should be made by 30th of April (you can still apply after, but don't get priority). Full details are at www.gliding.co.uk/juniorsentry.
RAeS Centennial Scholarships. Applications are now being accepted for 2013 Royal Aeronautical Society Centennial Scholarships. This year, scholarships are being awarded to individuals to cover some of the cost of tuition fees in the MEng/MSc year of study for a BEng student, and postgraduate tuition fees to students who have, normally, already completed at least two years of study in an aerospace-related field. Students on other, BSc/BA programmes may be eligible to apply for funding for the final undergraduate year. More details are at http://aerosociety.com/Careers-Education/centennial. The closing date for applications is 31st May 2013. Note that there are no RAeS flying scholarships available this year.
General
RAeC Newsletter. The spring edition of the Royal Aero Club newsletter has been published. It is not yet available on the RAeC web site, but you can read a copy at http://www.gliding.co.uk/documents/raecnews_spring2013.pdf
EGU Newsletter. The latest edition of the European Gliding Union has also been published. You can download it from http://www.egu-info.org/dwnl/EGU%20newsletter%201-2013.pdf
RAeS Newsletter. A lot of newsletters this month! You can read the Royal Aeronautical Society one at http://us2.campaignarchive2.com/?u=ac38a64bdf1972cb7f00d5c98&id=bb63ee61c1&e=88646771fb. There is an interesting article about how Brunel University students helped out with the aerodynamics behind-the-scenes during the making of James May’s Toy Stories cross-channel glider attempt.
Mars Milk Fund. The Mars Mile Fund is once again offering £300 awards this year. The awards are open to both individuals and clubs and four awards will be made each week between now and 6th October. To be in with a chance of winning, simply outline in less than 200 words how £300 would help you or your club. Entries can be made at http://www.marsmilk.com/fund/register