Safety
Airworthiness Directives. DG 500MB and DG 800 Starter Motor Control Modification. EASA has published AD 2013-0212 for the modification of the starter control unit to prevent inadvertent operation of the starter motor. Compliance is required before 27 February 2014. Full details are at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2013_0212.pdf/AD_2013-0212_1
DG 1000T Fitted with Solo 2350C Engines. EASA has issued an emergency Airworthiness Directive AD-2013-0217-E prohibiting further operation of Solo 2350C engines until modified due to re-occurrence of crankshaft failures following a previous modification. DG and Solo are currently working on a solution to the problem. Full details are at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2013_0217E.pdf/EAD_2013-0217-E_1. (Note that this AD is only applicable to Solo 2350C engines).
Regulatory
PPL Class Rating Privileges. The CAA has issued Information Notice IN-2013/147 regarding the curtailment of national aeroplane pilot licence privileges with effect from 8th April 2014. The BGA recommends that all aeroplane pilots read this. The information notice is at http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/20130IN curtailment of Lic Privileges-.pdf
BGA
The Flying Show. The BGA will be exhibiting again at the Flying Show, held at the NEC on 30th November and 1st December. The Flying Show is the UK’s largest indoor aviation event and features all forms of recreational aviation. The show targets the aviation-interested general public as well as existing participants in air sports. Entry is normally £12.50 but we have negotiated a reduced fee of just £6 for BGA club members. To purchase reduced price tickets, go to http://www.theflyingshow.co.uk/ and click on the ‘Buy Now’ link. On the order page, you will see an ‘Enter Promo Code’ link. Enter ‘BGA1981’ when prompted and, on the payment page, enter the first 4 characters of your BGA club name (just above the ‘Pay Now’ button.
Inspector Continuation Training. Further inspector continuation training seminar dates have been announced. The current schedule is: Husbands Bosworth, 19th October; Seighford (Staffs GC), 16th November (this is the replacement for the cancelled Cosford seminar); Ulster, 30th November. Please contact Debbie Carr at the BGA office to book places. To assist with catering, please advise when booking if you require lunch. The start time for each seminar will be 9.30am, aiming to finish by 4pm.
ARC Signatory Training. An ARC signatory course will be held at Ulster GC on 1st December, starting at 10.00am. The next ARC signatory course following this will be scheduled for early spring, probably in the Midlands or Leicester; inspectors who are interested should contact the CTO, cto@gliding.co.uk. Normal qualifying criteria will apply.

BGA Conference. The 2014 BGA Sporting Conference, Exhibition, Awards Ceremony, AGM and Dinner will be on Saturday 1st March at the Nottingham Belfry. More details will be available shortly (keep an eye on the web site - http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/notices/conference.htm) but we recommend that, if you are planning on staying overnight, you make your hotel reservations ASAP in order to get the best deal. Online booking for the gala dinner will be available shortly.
BGA Fees. Some BGA fees have been updated with effect from 3rd October, reflecting the 2013/4 budget approved at the last AGM. Please ensure that you enclose the correct fee when applying for BGA services. Full details are at http://www.gliding.co.uk/forms/bgafees.pdf.
Competitions and Cross-Country
Competitions Calendar. The 2014 competitions calendar has been published. You can see it at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/competitions/calendar.htm
New Records. Congratulations to new record holders: - Graham Bell: UK Standard Class Out and Return Distance and Free Out and Return Distance with 520.1km from Lasham; - Paul Fritche: who then bettered Graham’s new records with 550.3km from Parham; - Wendy Head: UK Women’s Open, 20m and 15m 400km Triangle records with 100.10kmph, remote start triangle from Gransden Lodge; - John Williams: UK Open and 20m 500km Out and Return Speed records with 152.77kmph, from Portmoak; - Kay Draper: UK Women’s Open, 20m, 15m and Standard Class 500km Triangle records with 91.59kmph, remote start from Lasham; and - Santiago Cervantes: UK 15m and Standard Class 300km Out and Return Speed records with 135.97kmph, remote start from Portmoak.
General
Breitling Youngster Award. British glider aerobatics prodigy Robbie Rizk (15) has been awarded the first ever FAI Breitling Youngster Award. When 13, Robbie became the youngest pilot in the world ever to fly in a national aerobatics competition, won the beginners class in the 2012 UK Nationals and, this summer, finished 9th in the World Advanced Glider Aerobatic Championship in Finland. Robbie was presented with his award at the FAI General Conference this week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Many congratulations.
Visit ATC Day. Air traffic control units across the UK will once again be taking part in ‘Visit ATC Day’ this Autumn. The event gives private pilots the opportunity to observe live ATC operations at a range of civil and military units and is intended to increase the mutual understanding of pilots and air traffic controllers. All visits require pre-registration and are open only to holders of private pilot licences (including holders of the BGA gliding certificate and student pilots). A full list of participating units and dates, together with registration details, are listed on the ASI website: http://www.airspacesafety.com.
FAI Young Artists Competition. The 2014 FAI Young Artists Competition has been launched. The 2014 theme is ‘Flying to Save Lives.’ Gold, Silver and Bronze FAI Medals will be awarded to the winners for the 3 age categories (6-9, 10-13, 14-17 years old) in April 2014. Entries must be submitted via the Royal Aero Club and should be received by 14th March. More information is at http://www.fai.org/ciea-projects/fai-young-artists-contest.