The vast majority of aerotows are uneventful. A take-off decision point, factors affecting take-off and climb performance, landing area options in the event of a problem, and communicating about minimum safe speeds are all considerations for both the glider pilot and the tug pilot. Helpful guidance, aimed at glider pilots…

Several airfields with ATZs in class G use instrument approach procedures (IAPs), which are designed to improve approach safety in poor weather, at night, etc. However, these IAPs are frequently utilised during fine weather in daylight by commercial pilot training organisations as well as by commercial business jet operators. The…

This is a repeat of guidance published in September 2023. FES equipped gliders are relatively new and unfamiliar to other airfield users who may not appreciate the dangers of the flush seated, self deploying, fast turning and solid propeller blades on the nose of the glider. In addition to any…

Pilots are reminded that a BGA Operational Regulation states that: ‘All gliders operated from a BGA club site shall be inspected before flying on each day by a pilot who has been approved to carry out a daily inspection, who must sign to confirm that they have completed the daily…

The FAI is delivering a webinar on the 12th May designed for pilots of any air sports and skydivers who are eager to resume their activities after a break. Its main objective is to raise awareness about the decline in skills that occurs when individuals take a break, such as…

The latest FLARM update has resulted in a temporary incompatibility with the software used in some devices with FLARM transmit only capability as used by the para gliding and hang gliding community. The manufacturer of XC Tracer devices has developed a software update. The OGN have knowledge of the protocol…

The ongoing wet weather across much of the UK means that several gliding clubs have waterlogged airfields and as a result, flying opportunities for their members have been very limited. As club CFIs and others have previously noted (for example after the Covid restrictions were lifted), experienced pilots who are…

As reported in January, following detailed work by Paul Ruskin (Cambridge GC) and the CAA, thirty BGA gliding clubs now have newly allocated radio frequencies to help with local situational awareness. The frequencies are valid from 21st March. You can view the new frequency allocations here.  Electronic and paper charts…

As the spring gets enticingly closer, it’s a reminder that our gliders and equipment need to be checked, maintained and ready to go. From the March 2015 Update, every FLARM device needs to be updated with the latest firmware version at least once per year (rolling 365 days). Firmware updates…

As the spring gets enticingly closer, it’s a reminder that our gliders and equipment need to be checked, maintained and ready to go. Every year we see glider ground towing equipment failures or towing driver errors that result in expensively broken gliders that take a long time to repair. It’s…