Feb-March 24

From representing your country to Silver height on first solo flight, you can read about these achievements in the Feb/March issue. You can also learn how a pilot is overcoming the challenge of learning to glide without a right hand. Plus, discover the dangers of a low unplanned turn.

The year 2023 was the Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese calendar, but it may also have been the Year of the Roberts. Fran and John Roberts both represented the UK in the Worlds during the year – Fran at the Women’s Worlds in Spain and John competing in the Club Class Worlds in Australia. Between these two competitions, their second son was born. While all of this was going on, they undertook a new project at home building an extension which dwarfs the house and all while both working full-time. Fran’s mother, Paula Aitken, says she feels exhausted just writing about their achievements, but privileged to watch these two determined young people have perhaps their best year to date.

Deeside’s Alex Blyth was hooked on gliding, aged 13, after his introductory flight. He was inspired by his uncle, who 25 years earlier had started the road to an aviation career gliding at Deeside. Initial training went well, then winter didn’t allow enough flights to keep Alex in practice. In 2023, training progressed again and Alex was sent solo in August. During the flight Alex found wave and, before he knew it, was up at 6,000ft, which was enough for his Silver height gain. He also achieved an hour soaring flight to count towards his Cross Country Endorsement. Not bad for a first solo at 14!

Gliding is a sport for all, as Mark James discovered when he arrived at Yorkshire Gliding Club. His wife had bought him a gliding experience but had not informed the club that Mark had no right hand. The club rose to the challenge and Mark enjoyed his first flight, initially taking control with his left hand. Perceiving Mark’s interest in learning to fly, back on the ground his instructor talked through what was involved in gliding and dropped the bombshell that you must fly right-handed. Mark reflected that it might be possible as little else had defeated him before. Practice in the simulator has helped and Mark is now slowly but surely getting to grips with smooth and accurate right-handed flying of the glider. He attributes this to the patient support of the excellent local and visiting instructors.

Historically, inadvertent stall and spin have been the most common cause of fatalities in UK gliding – even without including those that safe winch launching techniques should have eliminated. Many of these occurred from unneeded or inadvisable low-level turns. The BGA Safety Team looks at the dangers and offers valuable advice on how we could make stall or spin from an unplanned low turn a thing of the past.

Also in this issue: BGA Chairman Andy Perkins highlights a sport full of opportunities. Marian Stanley is in the spotlight for our pilot profile. Matthew Scutter describes his experiences gliding in Japan. David Dodds uncovers the truth of how gliders fly. Liz Sparrow and Simona Latimer report on an instructors’ course for women. Grimshaw describes the horrors of radio. Kevin Atkinson looks at developing situational awareness before launching. Alison Randle reports on the Club Development Conference. Richard Carter has a heaven-sent landout. Andrew Jarvis discovers that almost any glider can be rescued with enough determination. Pete Stratten raises awareness of pilot accountability. Joey Beard looks at managing stress levels during competitions. Plus, many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages. 

Fly safely and have fun