February – March 2003
The start of a new year is traditionally the time to reflect on what has happened and to anticipate what is to come. This issue of S&G does both.
Looking back, we remember Ann Welch, who died at the age of 85 in December 2002. Ann had been a friend of Sailplane & Gliding since its launch in 1955 and was an aviator of such remarkable abilities and personal presence that it is hard to believe she is no longer with us.
Looking ahead to the challenges of the future, BGA chairman David Roberts outlines the latest worrying news on the European Aviation Safety Agency. Editorial comment would be superfluous. Read it for yourself…
Getting airborne, we start our long-promised series on Alpine flying with Jacques Noel’s perceptive and detailed article on safe soaring in the mountains – more essential reading. And have you been to Serres yet? Most Brits so far have passed this place by… a big mistake, say Jon Gatfield and Martin Harbour. Also on a mountainous theme, Dave Triplett explains why he thinks you shouldexplore Scotland in May rather than in the autumn (as long as you don’t nick his trailer slot).
If you fancy flying further afield, Julie Lentle describes an unusual experience in Poland; Fred Weinholtz explains developments at Oerlinghausen in Germany while Richard Starey reveals why he took 70 jars of spaghetti bolognese on his gliding holiday to Bloemfontein in South Africa. Or for something out of the ordinary, see the Spreckleys’ account of the Helli Lasch Challenge – a get-together for world champions on the Kalahari’s largest private game ranch.
Closer to home, Derek Piggott wonders why, decades after the merits of basic training in motorgliders became apparent, more clubs still don’t exploit these useful workhorses to eliminate some of the frustrations of learning to glide. Bob Pettifer also targets beginners and instructors with his article on circuit planning, superbly illustrated as usual by Steve Longland. Finally, get in trim for the summer’s soaring by reminding yourself of your limitations – that’s your human performance limitations, of course. There are plenty of books on the subject, but they’re written from a power-flying perspective. Ian Atherton’s series, starting this issue, takes a look at the issues from a glider pilot’s point of view.
Happy soaring and happy landings!
Helen Evans
Editor, Sailplane & Gliding
It will never be the same
BGA Chairman David Roberts provides an update on worrying plans for EU regulation
An unsurpassed record of service
Wally Kahn reminds us all of the remarkable achievements of Ann Welch, with additional comment from former and current S&G editors and from the BGA chairman
Fast track to learning
Derek Piggott first wrote an article entitled “Must gliding mean frustration?” 40 years ago. But even now, he argues, motorgliders are seldom used to speed up beginners’ learning, and there are still many complaints that glider training is too time consuming…
Still flying after 40 years
Jochen Ewald tries out one of the earliest glass-fibre sailplanes still flying, the H-30 GfK, an innovative glider whose design anticipated developments in modern competition ships
The last frontier
In the first of a series detailing the human factors that affect glider pilots, Ian Atherton looks at the physiological limitations of the human body
Circuit planning
Bob Pettifer – who chairs the BGA instructors committee – describes how to get to the right place at the right time for a perfect arrival
Adventures in the dark
Julie Lentle travelled to Poland for an exciting nocturnal excursion with (and without) a gliding instructor
Unlike anything else
Averages of 15kts and bush-fire thermals sparked by lightning: Brian and Gill Spreckley tell of the privilege of attending the amazing Helli Lasch Challenge
Fly safely, have fun
Flying safely in the mountains is a choice and the choice is yours, says Jacques Noel. His article, outlining ten areas for the aspiring mountain pilot to note, begins S&G’s series on Alpine soaring
A little Alpine train
Serres, run by world distance record holder Klaus Ohlmann, is unknown to most Brits. Jon Gatfield and Martin Harbour reveal what you’re missing
Long-laid plans are realised
Fred Weinholtz describes the history of the German gliding site of Oerlinghausen and describes how it has developed magnificent new facilities
You should go in May
Dave Triplett explains why he thinks spring rather than autumn is the time to explore Europe’s largest wilderness
Young and fun
Sally Longstaff reports on last year’s Young Person’s Cross-country Coaching Course and gives details of how to apply to join in 2003
70 jars of spaghetti bolognese
Richard Starey reflects upon his recent gliding holiday in South Africa… and the reason for taking some unusual supplies
Also in this issue:
BGA and general news; BGA Development News; your letters; BGA Competitions Calendar; BGA club annual statistics; club news; club focus (Dukeries GC); obituaries; BGA Badges; incident and accident summaries
Tailfeathers: Plat gets into a flap
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