An airprox between two aeroplanes highlights the risks that can occur when any approach to an airfield in addition to the ‘standard’ circuit is taking place and the pilots believe they have situational awareness – but that’s based on an assumption. Interoperable EC and use of radio are both aids…

The General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo) has announced that its Board has taken the decision to wind up the organisation in an orderly manner, ending more than six decades of work in support of general aviation safety in the UK. The decision follows a thorough review of the Council’s financial…

Experience protects us until distraction, complacency, or fatigue take over. Every pilot, at every level, occasionally makes a mistake. It is a well known fact that refresher information helps to build resilience. The ‘Safe Start 2026’ self-briefing has been put together to support all glider pilots ahead of the flying season. Please take five minutes…

Following helpful engagement with the National Flying Laboratory Centre at Cranfield, the BGA is passing on information to glider pilots via a self-briefing document ‘Safe Shared Airspace – Cranfield’. Pilots who fly in the vicinity of Cranfield are encouraged to view the self-briefing here.

As one gliding club recently reminded it’s members: A skill is like a message written in chalk on an outdoor wall – it gets eroded a little every day. If the writing is retraced repeatedly, it will become more enduring. Even then, it will be eroded if it is not…

The OSTIV Cockpit Crashworthiness Subgroup focuses on enhancing glider safety through research into pilot injuries sustained in aircraft accidents. By collecting and analysing injury data from crash survivors, the group identifies design improvements that can significantly reduce injury severity and save lives. This scientific approach enables glider manufacturers to implement…

The Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP) Aviation Programme improves safety in the air by providing a totally independent confidential reporting system for all individuals involved in aviation in UK’s airspace. The fundamental principle underpinning CHIRP is that all reports are treated in absolute confidence in order that reporters’…

Not a UV problem, but certainly one that could ruin your day. Solar farms are easy to spot from the air – but during construction they may not be obvious. The image shows a solar farm ringed in red under construction with completed structures ready for panels to be fitted….

Resulting from trend data and an AAIB recommendation, the CAA is promoting training and pre-flight consideration of partial power loss in aeroplanes and powered sailplanes including TMGs. For example, partial power loss training is included in the latest SFCL SPL TMG extension syllabus. The CAA’s safety promotion contractor, Astral Aviation,…

All glider pilots who fly cross-country should read this news item which includes a link to the UK Airprox Board’s report. On the 8th Apr 2025 at 4nm west of Ely in East Anglia, a JS1 and a KC135 (an airline sized tanker aircraft) that were flying in class G…