Aug-Sept 23

From a 1,400km triangle that pushed the limits to turning Snowdon during a badge flight, you can read about it in the Aug/Sept issue. You can also discover more about the platform connecting the worldwide gliding community and learn why so many international teams choose a competition in Southern Germany to warm up for the season.

Baptiste Innocent has been flying in Fayence, France, for more than 20 years and had always been surprised by the mistral days which create beautiful thermal conditions. On 25 April, conditions made possible a triangle of over 1,400km from Fayence via Corsica to Sardinia, then crossing to Italy and returning to France. Baptiste says that exploring Sardinia was more than an objective, it was essential in order to push the limits of possible great triangle distances. He is now waiting for the next suitable weather conditions, which unfortunately are rather rare.

When Jordan Johnson’s home club, Bidford, was not flying due to a waterlogged field, he decided to take his ASW 20 up to the Mynd. A club member there mentioned that only rarely do glider pilots turn Snowdon due to the challenges it presents and that probably nobody has ever turned the peak for a badge claim flight. This increased Jordan’s desire to achieve just this and, on his first cross-country of the year, he achieved his Diamond goal turning Snowdon.

Hahnweide is a competition in Southern Germany that many international teams choose as the perfect way to warm up for the season. There is a ‘die-hard’ group of Brits that have been doing the comp for years and never miss one. Paul Fritche was finally persuaded to take part in the competition’s 55^th year. It is a challenging place to fly but beautiful and rewarding, with medieval castles perched on hilltops. The competition ended with a podium lock out for the Brits in the Standard Class – Paul taking first place. Paul says it is a privilege to meet glider pilots from around the world and that we’re a special breed that communicates in a way that transcends such simple barriers as language.

WeGlide is a platform connecting the worldwide gliding community and aiming to make the sport more accessible. In the first of a three-part series, Joshua Rieger explains the background to WeGlide – a digital platform that combines comprehensive evaluation and analysis tools with social interaction. The platform is not just for top pilots, but anyone who is fascinated by gliding. You can share the highlights of your latest flight, adding photos to your interactive flight path. The most frequently used tool on WeGlide is the filtering function. Here you can select flight stories from your own country or analyse the flight style of others and learn from them.

Also in this issue: BGA Chairman Andy Perkins looks at how technology is being used more in gliding and the strength of our collective voice. Merlin Ohta is in the spotlight for our pilot profile. Justin Wills reflects that seeking out lines of atmospheric energy is a never ending quest. Dave Unwin reports on a disconcerting incident in the tug cockpit. Paul Maddocks continues the tale of how an imported K-2b was restored to its former glory. Two book reviews: Flight not improbable and Sky Stories 2. John Wright remembers a landout from hell. Grimshaw probes yet another unspeakable aspect of our strange aerial sport. Kevin Atkinson talks about the one-second window. Alison Randle looks at securing project funding. Pete Stratten looks at how aviation law is evolving. Andrew Jarvis reports on vintage events. The BGA Safety Team discusses some of the snags with interpreting stats. Joey Beard highlights the Head in the Clouds initiative to raise mental awareness in gliding. Plus, many more of your stunning images in the Gallery pages.

Fly safely and have fun