The BGA wishes all club members a very happy holiday season and hopes that all pilots have an enjoyable and safe new year. The BGA Office will be closed for the holiday period from 24th December and will re-open on 2nd January.
Safety
Airworthiness Directives. 1. ASW28 Power Plants - Engine Mounts - Inspection/Replacement. EASA AD 2014-0264, effective 23rd December 2014, requires inspection and, if necessary, replacement of engine mounts within 30 days of the effective date. The AD is at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/20140264 and the relevant Schleicher Technical Note number 15 is at http://www.alexanderschleicher.de/tm/28/288_TM15_E.pdf
2. Non-Approved Strap Overhauls. EASA AD 2013-0020R4 relates to the inspection and possible replacement of safety belts which have been maintained or repaired after 28th September 2003 by maintenance organizations not holding the applicable maintenance data of the relevant approval holders, unless they are marked with European Parts Approval (EPA). We believe that there is a possibility that some affected straps may have been installed into some gliders, motorgliders, or tugs in the UK. Owners and operators are advised to read the AD at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2013-0020R4 and carry out inspections and modifications as needed.
Parachute Drop Zones. The British Parachute Association has asked us to point out that a new version of their map showing drop zones, along with club contact details and radio frequencies is available at http://www.bpa.org.uk/forms/download/37/pdf
Regulatory
SERA. Following a two year derogation, the Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA) formally came into effect in the UK on 4th December. However, through a combination of an additional short-term EU exemption and a set of new CAA rules and permissions, the immediate impact on UK flights, including in the areas of hill soaring and VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima, will be minimal. However, whilst the immediate impact is negligible, there are some areas where a long-term resolution is still needed, including the continuing authorisation of glider flight in Class A airspace under the various existing Letters of Agreement. The BGA and its GA Alliance partners have been and are continuing to engage in this matter and are reviewing the latest developments. We will keep clubs and members informed as these matters progress. In the meantime, details of the current CAA initiatives are in CAA Safety Notice 2014/010 available at http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/SafetyNotice2014010.pdf
CAA GA Policy Framework Published. The CAA has published its finalised Policy Framework for General Aviation (GA) Regulation. This, according to the CAA, balances its commitment to regulate the UK GA sector in a more proportionate and evidence-based way with its duties to protect third parties, including the general public. The framework will be used by the CAA as a basis for all decisions affecting GA regulation and is intended to support its new top level

principles for GA regulation based around proportionate regulation where required; deregulation and/or delegation wherever possible; no gold-plating; and supporting a vibrant and dynamic GA sector in the UK. The framework comes a month after the Government’s response to the General Aviation (GA) Red Tape Challenge Panel Report was published. More information is at http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=14&pagetype=65&appid=7&newstype=n&mode=d etail&nid=2407
Experimental Aircraft Proposals. The CAA is proposing a new set of requirements and guidance to support the proof of concept flight testing of prototype and modified light/sport aircraft. The proposal is the result of collaboration with the RAeS General Aviation Group, with which the BGA is deeply involved, as well as comments received from the Government’s GA Red Tape Challenge. It is hoped that the proposals will result in a reduction in the procedural and financial burdens on individuals and organisations in securing airworthiness approval under the existing requirements, thereby encouraging innovation and the development of aerospace excellence in the UK light/sport aircraft field. Full details of the proposals are at http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1350&pagetype=90&pageid=16533
Hawarden and Oxford Aerodrome RMZ Proposals. The BGA is currently considering requests from Hawarden (Chester) and Oxford airports for feedback about their proposals to establish RMZs. We intend to consult - internally within the gliding community as well as with our colleagues in the GA Alliance - before submitting this. In due course we can expect formal airspace change proposals from Hawarden and Oxford airports, including widespread consultation. We'll advise when and if that occurs.
Competitions and Cross-Country
2015 Competitions. The competitions calendar for 2015 has been published at http://old.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/competitions/calendar.htm.
2015 Ratings and Nationals Entries. Nationals entry application is now open. Entries must be received by 31st January 2015. You can apply online and renew your FAI licence at the same time by going to http://www.gliding.co.uk/nationalsentry. FAI licence application/renewal without nationals entry can be made at http://www.gliding.co.uk/failicence. As last year, entry fees for Juniors are approximately halved to just £145 for any of the nationals (Juniors are those who will have not reached the age of 26 by 31st December 2015). The provisional ratings list to prioritise places for the 2015 Nationals is now also available. You can find out how to check your rating, including the protest procedure, and download the full list with all the details at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/competitions/ratings.htm. At this point, we would like to thank John Wilton who has recently stepped down from the BGA Competitions Committee after 11 years. John has managed the competitions ratings list throughout this time - a huge amount of work each year.
2015 FAI 20m Two-Seater Nationals. We are pleased to announce the reintroduction of the FAI 20m Two-Seater Nationals in 2015. The event will be held at Cambridge Gliding Club at Gransden Lodge from 1st to 9th August in accordance with BGA Nationals Rules. Entries should be received by 31st January and will be limited to 30 gliders. You can apply online as described above. Pilots with access to high performance two-seaters not exceeding 20m span are encouraged to enter and the event will be handicapped using the IGC 20m Two-Seat Class handicap list which has the Duo Discus as base minimum handicap of 100. Only the lead pilot is required to enter online and, during the event, must always be one of the two flight occupants.
BGA Ladder Trophies. As we approach the year-end close of the BGA ladder, the BGA Competitions Committee invites pilots who believe they have completed a flight qualifying for a

BGA ladder trophy to apply. Some trophies are automatically selected by the BGA Ladder, but there are always some flights that are hidden within larger flights. The committee also seeks nominations for the Phil Lever Trophy (most promising junior pilot) and the John Hands Trophy (awarded for outstanding support for the organising or running of competitions). The complete set of rules can be found at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/documents/trophyrules.pdf and http://bgaladder.co.uk/Rules.asp. Please send applications using the Competitions Committee feedback tool at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/competitions/feedback.php
2015 World Junior Championships. The British team for the 2015 Junior World Gliding Championships has been announced. Matt Davis, Sam Roddie, Mike Gatfield and Tom Arscott will be representing the UK at the championships, which are being held at Narromine, Australia from 1-12 December 2015.
Date Errors in IGC Files from GPS Flight Recorders. The IGC GNSS Flight Recorder Approval Committee (GFAC) has issued an advisory notice recommending that owners of GPS flight recorders (FRs), especially older designs, switch their devices on at regular intervals when not in use. This will keep the GPS receiver and FR batteries from running down and thus minimise the possibility of incorrect dates being recorded when the FR is next used. More information, including the background to the problem, is at http://www.ukiws.demon.co.uk/GFAC/documents/2014-1129a%20loss%20of%20date%20notice%20to%20fr%20users.pdf
Juniors
Juniors Newsletter. The first edition of what is planned to be a bi-annual newsletter has been published. You can read it at http://www.juniorgliding.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Junior%20news%20letter%20October%202014.pdf
General
Telegraph Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show. The BGA has signed to exhibit at the Telegraph Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show. Taking place at London’s ExCeL from 12-15 February 2015, the show is the UK’s largest exhibition for adventurous people. With a wide range of activities and displays, the show promises a fantastic day out for outdoor enthusiasts and we hope that some of these will be persuaded to try gliding. We have negotiated reduced price entry for BGA club members, enabling you to attend for just £12 each (Th/Fr) or £14 (Sa/Su), a saving of £8 off the on-the-door prices. To purchase your tickets, go to http://telegraphoutdoorshow.eventgenius.co.uk/ before 31st December and quote discount code BGA11. Your ticket will also give you entry to the London Bike Show, the Triathlon Show: London, and the London International Dive Show (Sa/Su). Full details of the show are at http://telegraphoutdoorshow.co.uk/