June-July 2019

Fancy an aerotow to 50,000ft? Find out more in the June/July issue of S&G and discover how SkySight is playing a role in forecasting success for the Perlan Project. There are also top tips on staying safe in and around thermals, plus how block speeds compare with MacCready’s speed-to-fly.

If you are used to paying for aerotows in pounds per minute, you might struggle to adjust to the Perlan 2’s tow plane, which is closer to pounds per second to operate! Being able to tow to 50,000ft has been a game changer for the Perlan Project. Also playing an important role in the project’s success is SkySight, after Matthew Scutter was approached with a request to extend his wave forecasts to Argentina – and up to 100,000ft. Matthew joined the team in Argentina last September and found it invaluable to be on hand when a decision was being made daily to commit to the most expensive aerotow in gliding history. He is returning to play his part in the Perlan Project in Argentina this September.

Perhaps not reaching quite those heights, experienced cross-country pilots talk about using ‘block speeds’ when choosing their speed-to-fly through different areas of sink or lift. In the latest Aim Higher coaching article, Tony Cronshaw asks lead coach Kevin Atkinson how block speeds work in practice and how this methodology compares with MacCready speed-to-fly.

It’s hard to solve physics problems in the thick of a busy thermal. If you’re catching up with another glider in a turn, should you: open out your turn/tighten up your turn; increase your airspeed/reduce your airspeed? Even senior pilots give conflicting answers. It is an important subject, as about half of all glider-glider mid-air collisions and fatalities are in thermals. The BGA’s safety team has put together an article and useful list of additional sources of information to help keep us safe, both in and around thermals.

Europe’s largest aviation fair, AERO, took place in Friedrichshafen, Germany, in April. This year was a ‘gliding year’ and there was plenty of interest for glider pilots, including an electric-powered self-launch Standard Class glider – the AS 34 Me from Schleicher, Jonker’s self-launch JS2 and Schempp-Hirth’s improved Arcus.

Also in this issue: BGA Chairman Andy Perkins reflects on adapting to a changing world. Schleicher’s Ulrich Kremer talks about sailplane developments. David Innes highlights wind effects on mountain wave. Chris Gill reviews the latest personal GPS messenger. Diana King offers advice for the security of tenure and operations for clubs. Finn Sleigh reports how the juniors are preparing for the Worlds. Ebenezer Grimshaw breaks taboos, dispels myths and restores reality for newbies. S&G’s landouts from heaven or hell series continues. Justin Wills relates his adventures, gliding in the UK and Canada. Ian McFarlane shares the supersonic story of BGA Diploma winner John Allan. BGA development officer Alison Randle looks at junior development. Andrew Jarvis looks at the vintage events we have to look forward to, including the International Rally coming to Tibenham. Plus many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages. And last, but not least, there’s the BGA club annual statistics.

Fly safely and have fun