The BGA wishes all pilots a happy and safe 2013. Safety ATZs. Further to the briefing document published by the BGA in June 2012 (http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/airspace/documents/atz.pdf) regarding what Aerodrome Traffic Zones (ATZ) mean in practice for glider pilots, the CAA has published its own advice re ATZs. You can read this at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/airspace/documents/20121129AerodromeTrafficZones.pdf GASIL. The latest edition (2012/11) of the CAA General Aviation Safety Newsletter, GASIL, is now at http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/2012%2011.pdf. This will be the final edition of GASIL. Airborne Use of Radio. As our airspace becomes busier and new classifications of airspace are developed, it is becoming evident that glider pilots will be able to enjoy greater freedoms through use of radio. Even in the current airspace environment, not being able to use the radio can be limiting in respect to airspace access, including ATZs, and can result in unnecessary risk when flying near busy airfields including where IFR procedural traffic is operating in class G, in which case for example a quick call to ATC can improve awareness. Whilst there are no plans to mandate the general use of radio, the BGA is keen to provide support to pilots who choose to learn more about the use of radio and, indeed, to those who choose to obtain a radio licence. As such and following discussion with experts, guidance has been published at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/licensing/radiolicensing.htm. Frequency Reference Cards. From March, frequency reference cards supplementing the radio frequency information included on VFR charts will only be available online. It is hoped the move will ensure pilots always have access to the latest, most accurate information. The cards will be offered free of charge from the Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) website (registration required) at http://www.ais.org.uk – alongside VFR chart updates and newsfeeds. Rotax Engines and Tug Engines. The CAA has revised CAP 747 Generic Requirement No 24: Light Aircraft Piston Engine Overhaul Periods. This contains two important changes: a) Rotax engines installed in self sustaining and self launching sailplanes can now be operated “On Condition” beyond the normal overhaul period in accordance with GR 24; and b) the position regarding aerial work and “On Condition” maintenance has been clarified for BGA tug aircraft. Operators wishing to take advantage of these revised requirements must study GR 24 and comply with the requirements. These include compliance with any Airworthiness Directive mandated inspections or replacements at the normal overhaul period and customisation of the maintenance programme (LAMP, LAMS or BGA GMS) to include the additional inspections. Note that life-controlled accessories such as magnetos must still be overhauled as specified. CAP747 is at http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP747.pdf; GR24 is in section 2, part 3. Regulatory TAG Farnborough Airport. TAG Farnborough Airport has advised that it is in the early stages of developing a formal proposal to establish an area of class D airspace. The implications are serious for gliding and all others who currently fly in or need access to and from class G airspace in the south east of England. Lasham and the BGA are working together with others to properly inform the issue and to respond accordingly. More information will follow in due course. BGA Airworthiness Quality Assistant – Northern UK. The BGA is seeking to recruit the remunerated services of an airworthiness Quality Assistant. 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. Inspector Continuation Training. The inspector continuation training seminar scheduled for 2nd March at RAF Cosford has been cancelled. A new date will be re-arranged. For a full list of seminars available, see http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/technical/news.htm Competitions and Cross-Country World Gliding Championships. The World Gliding Championship for the unflapped classes gets underway on 6 January at Adolfo Gonzales Chaves in Argentina. Team GB pilots are Jez Hood and Howard Jones (Standard Class) and Ian MacArthur and Ken Barker (Club Class). Results will be on the competition web site at http://www.wgc2012.com.ar and you can follow the team’s exploits throughout the fortnight-long competition at www.facebook.com/groups/565888093425210 or on Twitter @GBGlidingTeam Ratings for 2013. The provisional ratings list to prioritise places for the 2013 Nationals is now online. You can find out how to check you rating, including the protest procedure, and download the full list with all the details by going to www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/competitions/ratings.htm 2013 Nationals Entries. The online Nationals entry procedure is now up and running. Entries must be received by 31st January 2013. You can apply online and renew your FAI licence at the same time at http://www.gliding.co.uk/nationalsentry.php. As in 2012, entry fees for Juniors are approximately halved - £145 for any of the nationals (Juniors are those who will be under 26 on 31st December 2013). Women’s Winter Planning Day. The women’s development group will hold their 2013 winter seminar on Saturday 26 January at Weston-on-the-Green (Oxford GC). Come along and get tips from pundits on flying the energy; task and route optimisation; competition preparation and other need-to-know subjects which will improve your flying. Set yourself sensible objectives for the coming season and, if you were there last year, share how you got on with the objectives you set then. Meet and share ideas with other pilots who want what you want - to be better, faster glider pilots who have more fun and get more out of the sport. The event is, as always, free to attend; £5 for lunch etc. Please advise (by 20th January) if you want lunch and if you have any special dietary requirements. Sign up on the Women Glide (UK) Facebook page www.facebook.com/WomenGlideUK or email Liz Sparrow – ebertoya@ieee.org. British Junior Team – Glider Wanted. One of our Junior team is in need of a Standard Class glider for the Junior Worlds to be held in Poland next year (28 July – 10 Aug). If you have an LS8, Discus 2 or ASW28 that you might be willing to swap for another glider then please contact office@gliding.co.uk Competition Enterprise. Entries are now open for Competition Enterprise, to be held at North Hill (Devon & Somerset GC) from 29 June to 6 July. Discounted entries are available for vintage gliders and juniors are offered half price entry. In addition, scholarships are available. More details are at http://www.comp-enterprise.co.uk General Mike Miller-Smith MBE. Congratulations to Mike Miller-Smith who has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to aviation for people with disabilities through Aerobility. Mike is CEO of Aerobility. Information about Aerobility is at http://www.aerobility.com RAeC Newsletter. The winter edition of the Royal Aero Club Newsletter is available at http://www.royalaeroclub.org/news12y.pdf