Safety
Accident Review. The BGA Review of Accidents in 2014 has been published at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/documents/accidentreview2014web.pdf. This provides a summary of the main causes of serious accidents and advice on how to prevent them happening to you. In addition to the download, club CFIs have been sent stocks of the printed booklet - please ask for your copy.
Thermal Soaring Protocol. A new BGA Safety Briefing entitled 'Thermal Soaring Protocol' has been published at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/safety/documents/thermalsoaringprotocol.pdf. This restates the good practice learned over many years for joining, sharing and leaving a thermal. Please read this to help ensure that we can have a collision-free 2015.
Use of Cameras in the Air. A second Safety Briefing ‘Mounting Cameras for Use in the Air’ has also been published. The publication includes a number of important considerations that might not be immediately obvious to those thinking about using a camera in the air and is essential reading for anyone contemplating aerial photography. The document is at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/safety/documents/mountingcameras.pdf.
FLARM Update. A reminder that all FLARM devices will need a firmware update this month. The update will be found at http://www.flarm.com, although at the time of writing (12 March) the update is still not available. FLARM issues occasional unscheduled updates to correct bugs and improve performance. These can be significant – some versions before 5.05 suppressed alarms if 3+ aircraft were present. Owners are advised to keep devices up to date and to be aware that, if the update is not applied, a FLARM device will not operate after 31st March.
BGA
BGA Annual Report. Our annual report for 2014 giving information about the range of BGA activities over the previous 12 months has been published. You can download a copy from http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/documents/annrep2014.pdf
BGA AGM. The BGA Annual general meeting was held on 7th March when the new Executive Committee was elected. This saw in one change from the previous committee, with Dave Fidler standing down after serving the maximum permitted term, and being replaced by Neil Goudie.
BGA Award Winners. A number of long-serving volunteers were recognised at the BGA Conference when they were awarded with a range of BGA awards. This year a BGA Gold Medal, which had already been presented at the Club Management Conference, went to Diana King (Herefordshire GC), while BGA Diplomas were given to Chris Armstrong (Four Counties GC), Debb Hackett (pen name Debb Evans, S&G sub-editor), John Glossop (Cambridge GC), John Henry (Scottish GU), Mike Hutchinson (Black Mountains GC), and Vince Mallon (British Army). Posthumous Diplomas were awarded to Mick Orr and Peter Redshaw. The Bill Scull Safety Award was presented to Andy Miller for his work as the BGA SLMG Standards Manager. After the BGA awards had been presented, Patrick Naegeli made a special presentation to

Debbie Carr marking her quarter century working for the BGA. In the evening, the winners of the Sporting Awards were presented with their trophies; you can see a full list of the winners at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/competitions/trophies.htm
Regulatory
BGA Op Regs. A number of changes to BGA Operational Regulations were approved at the BGA AGM and are now published at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/lawsandrules.htm. Whilst many of the changes are minor, pilots should note the change to the BGA medical requirements which now allows those who are using BGA flying qualifications to evidence medical fitness for solo flight (and for flying with another pilot) by holding a driving licence issued by an EU nation. Pilots exercising SPL/LAPL(S) privileges must comply with EASA medical requirements. Full details are in the Medical Requirements document at http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/Lawsandrules/March%2015/MedicalRequirements.pdf.
EAS Newsletter. Europe Air Sports has published its latest newsletter. The document, which is available at http://www.europe-air-sports.org/activities/newsletter/ provides a useful summary of current regulatory movements and reminds all of us about the vast amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that our views are heard when new regulation is being developed.
Competitions and Cross-Country
Inter-Services Regionals. The venue and date for the 2015 Inter-Services Regionals has changed. The event will now run alongside the Bicester Regionals from 1st - 9th August.
Little Rissingon Retrieves. Pilots should note that Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) is currently unable to give permission for aerotow retrieves from Little Rissington (LIR). This is not an indication of any anti-glider feelings; their hands are tied to a large extent by Military Aviation Authority requirements. They are still content for gliders to use LIR for field landings when vehicles and trailers will be permitted access. Previous discussion with the ACO re gliders landing at LRI identified that it would be most helpful if, before dropping in, or trying to climb away from any ACO gliding/motor gliding site, our pilots would make a timely call on the correct frequency. These are listed in the UK AIP under ENR5.5; LIR is listed as 124.10MHz.
Juniors
RAeS Scholarships. Once again, the Royal Aeronautical Society Centennial Scholarship Fund has generously provided funding to enable us to offer 10 flying scholarships in 2015 to young glider pilots, pre- and post-solo, aged between 14 and 21 years. Applications close on 30th April. Application forms, which must be countersigned by a parent/guardian and club CFI, are available at http://www.juniorgliding.co.uk/affordableflying/royalaeronauticalsociety/
General
RAeC Awards. The Royal Aero Club has announced its 2014 award winners and we are delighted that glider pilots have, again, featured strongly in the list. The Prince of Wales Cup for the most meritorious team performance has been awarded to the British Gliding Team and the one RAeC Gold Medal awarded this year is to Steve Jones for outstanding achievement over a number of years. An RAeC Silver Medal goes to the BGA Chief Executive, Pete Stratten. The President’s Breitling Trophy for outstanding achievement by a person under 21 is awarded to Alex Harris and Certificates of Merit go to John Bradley and Hugh Woodsend. The winners will receive their awards at the Club’s annual ceremony at the RAF Club on 12th May.

Sport England Grant for FLARM. Another club has been awarded a Sport England grant to equip their fleet with FLARM. Devon & Somerset GC has been given £9,750 in lottery funding to equip 7 gliders and their tug with FLARM. The grant, awarded under the Inspired Facilities Fund, will also fund building a simulator to aid basic training. Applying for Inspired Facilities funding is now easier as the Fund is now an open programme meaning projects can be submitted as soon as they are ready rather than being restricted by a specific deadline. To find out more and submit bids, visit www.sportengland.org/inspiredfacilities