Safety
Safe Winch Launch DVD. The BGA Safe Winch Launch Initiative team has produced a DVD containing new training aids. Copies of the DVD are currently being distributed, via CFIs, to all Full and Assistant instructors. The DVD includes two presentations on how to fly a winch launch safely: the first re-emphasises previously published advice and is also supplied in .wmv and .mp4 formats for playing on tablets, smartphones, etc; the second provides background detailing how the advice was established. The DVD also provides new advice on how everyone involved in the winch launch process can contribute to a safe wings-level take-off. As we were all too tragically reminded in September 2012, we need to reinforce the safe winch launch messages about avoiding a wing drop and cartwheel. There is also a presentation containing winch operations best-practice. If you are involved in winch launching in any capacity (launch point controller, tractor driver, winch driver, wing runner, etc., and, of course, as a pilot) please view the movie on ‘How to Fly a Winch Launch Safely, part 1’ which runs on PC, iPhone, iPad and Android, and the ‘Stop the Drop’ and ‘Winch Operations’ presentations.
Airworthiness Directives. Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 4DT, Duo Discus T and Arcus T - FM & MM Amendments, Placard Changes and Control Checks. EASA has published AD 2013-0012 for the mandatory amendment of Nimbus 4DT, Duo Discus T and Arcus T flight and maintenance manuals, placard and markings replacements, and rudder, elevator and wing flaps checks. For Technical Note and serial number details please see the airworthiness directive at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2013_0012.pdf/AD_2013-0012_1
Regulatory
Aircraft Ownership. A recent audit of glider ownership changes notified to the CAA has highlighted that that the BGA had only been informed of an ownership change in approximately 20% of cases. Owners are reminded that the sale of all gliders, whether Annex II or EASA, must be notified to the BGA. As well as being a requirement of the BGA CAMO for EASA gliders, having up to date owner details will help us to help you by providing Emails alerting owners to any airworthiness directives or other safety issues affecting their glider type as well as reminders about pending ARC/CofA expiry. Please notify all changes of ownership to jenny@gliding.co.uk
8.33kHz Radio Channel Spacing. For a number of years, the BGA has been recommending that any owner equipping or re-equipping an aircraft with an aeronautical radio selects one with 8.33kHz channel spacing. As has been long expected, the EU has now published regulations stating that, from 31 December 2018, only radios capable of 8.33kHz channel spacing will be acceptable for use in aircraft operating below FL195 (this is already required for operations above FL195). The CAA Information Notice relating to this (IN-2013/018) is at http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/InformationNotice2013018.pdf

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2013 Conference. The 2013 BGA Conference is looking better than ever! With the dynamic duo of Andy Perkins and Luke Roberts keeping the show on the road from 1030 am, presentations include: ‘Jonkers Sailplanes, Dream into Reality' by Uys Jonker; 'Pilot Licence Conversion’ by Pete Stratten and Andy Miller; 'Gliding Needs Airspace' by John Williams; 'Battleback: Rehabilitation through Gliding’ by Jamie Sage; 'The Art of Team Flying' by Gliding Team GB; and 'Plain Soaring - a Dream Come True’ by three time world champion, George Lee. Over 25 exhibitors are already confirmed for the exhibition with more expected. Full details of the event, including how to book lunch, dinner or hotel rooms are at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/notices/conference.htm. Put the date in your diary now – 2 March at the Nottingham Belfry.
ATO Quality Manager. During 2013, the British Gliding Association will require the remunerated part-time services (approximately one day per week) of an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) Quality Manager, whose primary task will be to establish and maintain compliance with the applicable regulatory requirements. The right person to provide these services will have experience of managing quality, have held a gliding instructor rating, be very familiar with glider pilot training in both winch launch and aerotow environments at clubs, and have good knowledge of the EASA regulatory requirements for non-complex Approved Training Organisations and for pilot licensing. More information, including the closing date for applications is at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/documents/ATOQM.pdf
Airworthiness Quality Assistant – Northern UK. A reminder that applications close on 1st March for the role of Airworthiness Quality Assistant, Northern UK. The role is to support proactive oversight of BGA airworthiness quality management compliant with Part M. This home-based, flexible, part-time QA task includes elements of site visits and liaison as well as some administration reporting to the Quality Manager. The closing date for applications is 1 March 2013. More information is at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/documents/QANorth.pdf.
Competitions and Cross-Country
World Gliding Championships. The World Gliding Championships for the unflapped classes (Club and Standard) were held last month at Adolfo Gonzales Chaves in Argentina. The geographic location presented significant logistic challenges to the teams with the reward being indifferent weather which lurched from one extreme to another. The Standard Class pair of Howard Jones and Jez Hood finished 16th and 18th respectively while, in the Club Class, Ian MacArthur was 29th with Ken Barker one place behind.
Juniors
Free Places at Northern Regionals. Yorkshire GC is offering three free entries to the Northern Regionals (including 5 free aerotows) to junior pilots. The competition is from 27th July to 4th August and more information is at http://www.ygc.co.uk/northerns/index.php. Applications for the free entries should be made to the club – enquiry@ygc.co.uk – by 28th February. There will be a draw if there are more applications than places, and the winners will be informed in March.

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Windrushers and Norfolk GCs Gain Sport England Funding. Windrushers and Norfolk GCs have both been awarded £50,000 of National Lottery funding through Inspired Facilities, which is part of the £150 million Places People Play Olympic legacy programme. The Windrushers award will be used for the purchase of a new winch while the Norfolk award will be used for clubhouse improvements . More clubs could still benefit from the programme, with a further two rounds of funding remaining. Bids will be accepted for the fourth round of Inspired Facilities Funding from the 4 March 2013. You can find out more at www.sportengland.org/inspiredfacilities.
GASCo Flight Safety. GASCo (the General Aviation Safety Council), of which the BGA is a member, is asking for your input. A major part of GASCo’s work is the publication of the quarterly magazine, Flight Safety. With CAA funding, this has been delivered free of charge to flying instructors, owners and others. However, the CAA has withdrawn funding and, as a result, GASCo can no longer send out free copies of the magazine. The magazine will continue if GASCo can attract sufficient people willing to subscribe to it. GASCo is asking pilots to complete a short survey to help inform them about the future direction and content of Flight Safety. The BGA would be grateful if you would take a few moments to complete the survey (until 18th February) at http://www.smart-survey.co.uk/s/69283JXHQD