June – July 2006

If we’re honest, we’d all rather be gliding than merely reading about it, but to keep you going on those inevitable duff days that affect even the best summers, the June-July 2006 S&G is packed with must-read articles. It’s got everything from a look at the latest ships to guidance on how to make the most of the good weather that does come your way – and even an evaluation of one futuristic development in gliding instruction.

For the racing pilot, Jochen Ewald tries out the new ASG 29, the latest 15/18-metre offering from Alexander Schleicher and the aircraft that marks the transition from Gerhard Waibel (the W of ASW) to Michael Greiner (the G in ASG). In the high-performance two-seater market, Phil and Diana King explore the X factor by putting the British Gliding Association’s new Duo Discus X through its paces. And if you’re thinking of buying a new sailplane, John McCullagh updates his invaluable research into what’s available.

If you’re a weekend pilot, we’ve got some evidence-based guidance from Julian Rees and Richard Smith on what you might realistically hope to achieve in the course of the thermal season and, for those with racing ambitions, British Team Coach and 2001 Club Class World Champion Pete Masson offers tips on how to fly faster across country.

To a flying experience of a different kind: simulated but, as Lasham CFI Gordon MacDonald argues, realistic enough to open up the prospect of a whole new approach to gliding training. He reports on what he’s learned so far from using the club’s simulator for various purposes – including ab initio instruction – while Andy Chawe describes what it felt like converting from the sim to the real thing… andhis pioneering solo flight.

For S&G readers who also fly towplanes, we have an advance look at the section of the BGA’s new aerotowing guidance notes that covers emergency procedures, illustrated by some excellent photos and diagrams. Well worth studying and absorbing. On the other hand, if you’re used to looking at the tug from the back end of the rope, scanning this article might increase your understanding of the other pilot’s decision-making processes and how you can help your tuggie make aerotowing even safer for everyone.

The list doesn’t end there. We’ve got an account of the results of the BGA inspection on wooden gliders; a description of what The Air League is doing with the British Gliding Association to encourage young pilots; a review of a met course for glider pilots; and an analysis by Hugh Woodsend, of the BGA Airspace Committee and the UK Airprox Board, of what glider pilots can learn from some recent airproxes. Alongside that, with the help of UKAB’s Director, Peter Hunt, we’ve updated our exclusive map of glider airprox locations.

Keep a good lookout this summer – and have a lot of fun in the skies.