Safety News

Safe rigging

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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…

FLARM temporary incompatibility - paragliders and hang gliders

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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…

Club sites new radio frequencies

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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…

Get ready for spring - glider ground handling

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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…

Carbon Monoxide detector consultation

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In addressing an AAIB recommendation regarding carbon monoxide detectors, the CAA has published proposals set out in a consultation that are integral to understanding what may be holding pilots back from using this potentially lifesaving equipment, and whether the CAA should be doing more to encourage its adoption. You can…

Club sites new radio frequencies

Posted on

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 will be updated when…

Canopies

Posted on

If a canopy opens in flight, it can be disastrous. Uncontrolled opening on the ground will usually result in damage. Here’s a note recently published by one of our busier gliding clubs, which states: the simple rule is, if the canopy is closed, it is locked. The pre-flight checks also…

EC rebate scheme ends soon!

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The DfT funded scheme for general aviation pilots to claim a 50% rebate of the cost to a maximum of £250 (including VAT) of purchasing of an Electronic Conspicuity device is due to end on the 31st March 2024. Read more about the EC rebate scheme and how to apply…

Defibrillator saves life

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A mobile defibrillator, where it is locally available, can save a life in the event of cardiac arrest. At least one glider pilot we know of is around to talk about it through his friends rapid use of a defibrillator that was available at the airfield. This recent news story…

How much time to react?

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The November edition of INSIGHT from the United Kingdom Airprox Board (UKAB) looks at an Airprox involving a glider and a Europa near Basingstoke. The article looks at an encounter between two aircraft that were equipped with identical electronic conspicuity (EC) devices and offers some points to consider when using…

All News in category: Safety News

Safe rigging

Posted on

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…

FLARM temporary incompatibility - paragliders and hang gliders

Posted on

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…

Club sites new radio frequencies

Posted on

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…

Get ready for spring - glider ground handling

Posted on

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…

Carbon Monoxide detector consultation

Posted on

In addressing an AAIB recommendation regarding carbon monoxide detectors, the CAA has published proposals set out in a consultation that are integral to understanding what may be holding pilots back from using this potentially lifesaving equipment, and whether the CAA should be doing more to encourage its adoption. You can…

Club sites new radio frequencies

Posted on

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 will be updated when…

Canopies

Posted on

If a canopy opens in flight, it can be disastrous. Uncontrolled opening on the ground will usually result in damage. Here’s a note recently published by one of our busier gliding clubs, which states: the simple rule is, if the canopy is closed, it is locked. The pre-flight checks also…

EC rebate scheme ends soon!

Posted on

The DfT funded scheme for general aviation pilots to claim a 50% rebate of the cost to a maximum of £250 (including VAT) of purchasing of an Electronic Conspicuity device is due to end on the 31st March 2024. Read more about the EC rebate scheme and how to apply…

Defibrillator saves life

Posted on

A mobile defibrillator, where it is locally available, can save a life in the event of cardiac arrest. At least one glider pilot we know of is around to talk about it through his friends rapid use of a defibrillator that was available at the airfield. This recent news story…

How much time to react?

Posted on

The November edition of INSIGHT from the United Kingdom Airprox Board (UKAB) looks at an Airprox involving a glider and a Europa near Basingstoke. The article looks at an encounter between two aircraft that were equipped with identical electronic conspicuity (EC) devices and offers some points to consider when using…