Launchpoint is a registered charity that supports British Gliding. Prior to 2017, Launchpoint was known as the Caroline Trust. Launchpoint aims include providing opportunities to experience gliding, and to facilitate participants at all stages to expand their horizons in the sport. Applications are open to all. Full details are available…

Pilots training for the NPPL/PPL(A) who are members of BGA clubs, who have completed the required ground study, and who are deemed ready to take the CAA’s NPPL/PPL Theoretical Knowledge Examinations can apply to sit the exams at the BGA office. Please note that all sittings will be by appointment…

Instructors who teach field landings are reminded of the need to operate legally and using appropriate threat and error management. New guidance on the Conduct of Field Landing Training is available here.

The BGA’s pilot licence conversion webpage has been updated to reflect the recent publication of a CAA temporary exemption that until 8 April 2019 allows pilots of EASA aeroplanes to choose to continue to operate in the UK using their UK PPL or NPPL limited to the privileges of a…

The BGA Motor Glider Handbook has been updated and is available here. The handbook provides good practice guidance for clubs, pilots and owners that operate SLMG, self-launching sailplane, TMG or microlight sailplane aircraft, regardless of which regulatory system applies.  

Paul Ruskin has pulled together a set of cup files of UK Airports and landable strips and fields, together with current radio frequencies which he intends to update roughly monthly. There are three main files: UK Airports <date>.cup UK outlandings <date>.cup UKN Airports and outlandings <date>.cup (a rather sparse set…

WomenGlide are running a Spring Soaring Weekend at the Yorkshire Gliding Club (Sutton Bank) on the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of March. Everyone is welcome (male and female) from ab-initio to international pilot. We will fly if weather permits, and spaces in between will be filled with ground…

A reminder that the closing date for applications for a Ted Lys award is 31 Jan 2018. If you have some really interesting gliding in mind and need some funding support, a Ted Lys award may be just the thing you are looking for! https://members.gliding.co.uk/launchpoint/ted-lys-award-application/

A quick update on Aim Higher Plans during 2018 from Kev Atkinson, the BGA Aim Higher lead. Sisteron. The planned Sisteron trip in the spring is very well supported. Weekend courses. There have been no requests for the Feb/Mar weekend courses. If a clubs would like one at their site,…

Pilots of powered aircraft are reminded that Standardised European Rules of the Air require that aircraft equipped with a serviceable transponder shall operate the transponder at all times during flight. Aircraft without sufficient electrical power supply are exempt from the requirement. If equipped with a transponder and an electrical charging…