Alps Schematic

This copyright schematic of the French Alps is a purely illustrative representation of the kind of information that glider pilots mark on the topographic air charts to help plan their route through the Alps. It accompanies an article by William Malpas, Getting Going in the Alps, in the December 2005 – January 2006 S&G. It may be downloaded for personal use only.

Low-down in the alps – Part 1

William Malpas, in the first of his three-part series, Low-Down on the Alps, gives advice and information on exploiting this soaring paradise. This copyright article first appeared in the April-May 1988 S&G and may be downloaded for S&G readers’ personal use only.

Low-down on the Alps – Part 2

William Malpas, who lives in France and spends much of the season mountain flying, continues his advice to British pilots who are taking gliding holidays in the Alps. This copyright article first appeared in the April-May 1989 S&G and may be downloaded for S&G readers’ personal use only.

Low-down on the Alps – Part 3

William Malpas collaborates with Jean-Renaud Faliu and Jacques Noel for the third article in this series on mountain flying, this time concentrating on safety when gliding in the Alps. This copyright article first appeared in the December 1989-January 1990 S&G and may be downloaded for S&G readers’ personal use only.

How to join thermals

National Coach, Simon Adlard, explains why and how to get your thermal entry right.

Exploiting opposing airmasses

In the third article in his series about soaring in the mountains, Gavin Wills offers advice on using lift that can materialise when all else fails. The other two articles in the series can be found in the October/November 2001 and December/January 2002 issues.

Two K-8s take on the Juniors

Andrew Bates and Guy Hall, from Edinburgh University GC, went south to challenge the hotshot boy racers – in K-8s…

Your club’s met on the net

Alex Latty describes the weather station that helps your early-morning worries about what weather conditions are like at your gliding club.

Searching the sky

In this, the third of Jay Rebbeck’s four part series on cross-country flying, Jay explains how to pick the racing line. The other three articles can be found in the December/January, February/March and June/July 2002 issues.

Where we fly in the UK

Ever wondered where we fly in the UK? Paul Jessop created unfamiliar landscapes using details of every flight entered on the BGA ladder from 2003 to 2010. You can read the full story in the Aug/Sept issue of S&G, due out on 25 July.

Paul has also created a number of animations showing the results of his analysis. These are available exclusively via the links opposite.

Where we fly in the UK – Part 2

Ever wondered where we fly in the UK? Paul Jessop created unfamiliar landscapes using details of every flight entered on the BGA ladder from 2003 to 2010. You can read the full story in the Aug/Sept issue of S&G, due out on 25 July.

Where we fly in the UK – Part 3

Ever wondered where we fly in the UK? Paul Jessop created unfamiliar landscapes using details of every flight entered on the BGA ladder from 2003 to 2010. You can read the full story in the Aug/Sept issue of S&G, due out on 25 July.

Where we fly in the UK – Part 4

Ever wondered where we fly in the UK? Paul Jessop created unfamiliar landscapes using details of every flight entered on the BGA ladder from 2003 to 2010. You can read the full story in the Aug/Sept issue of S&G, due out on 25 July.

Where we fly in the UK – Part 5

Ever wondered where we fly in the UK? Paul Jessop created unfamiliar landscapes using details of every flight entered on the BGA ladder from 2003 to 2010. You can read the full story in the Aug/Sept issue of S&G, due out on 25 July.

Breaking the site barrier

S&G Article on breaking away from local flying

Getting to the core of the clouds

John Coutts offers tips on improving thermalling

Going further and faster

Pete Masson offers tips on improving your cross-country speed

How to enjoy your first gliding competition

Andy Davis draws on the team training programme and his own experience for tips to help you

How to share a thermal

Simon Adlard offers advice on keeping station in a thermal

How to thermal better

Jay Rebbeck advises on how to use a thermal

Learning to soar slopes

Don Puttock offers advice on how to exploit hills

Prepare for some fun

Debb Evans offers some tips for a successful early cross-country flight

Reading the sky ahead

Jay Rebbeck advises on how to improve decision making

Searching the sky

Jay Rebbeck explains how to pick the racing line

Trigger points and feeders

Justin Needham’s experience of hang-gliding has led him to devote serious thought to thermal triggers and feeders

Use the others to climb

Simon Adlard explains how to exploit company in your thermal