The BGA ‘Managing Flying Risk’ publication aims to provide pilots and clubs with guidance on how to better understand, minimise, and manage the hazards associated with gliding operations, including with powered gliders and tug aircraft. It does not replace any existing law, which should always take precedent. There is a…

Several airfields with ATZs in class G use instrument approach procedures. In most cases, the procedures are not obviously apparent from using a 1/2 mil VFR chart. Procedure details can be found in the AIP here under ‘Part 3 AD2 aerodromes’. Which isn’t easily accessible but can be useful information….

BGA safety briefings ‘Is your glider fit for flight?’ and the ‘2022 Accident Review’ are available as downloads and Club Safety Officers are invited to request hard copies for their club from the BGA office. Other BGA safety briefings are available here.  

Incomplete or incorrect rigging of gliders is a significant risk; the outcome is usually a serious injury or a fatality. The BGA has published new safety information that includes a ‘toolbox’ of suggested actions that clubs as well as pilots and owners can take to help to avoid a glider…

Failure to recognise and react promptly to a significant wing drop during a launch ground roll can result in an accident. The published advice is Start the launch with your hand on the release If you cannot keep the wings level, release IMMEDIATELY “Release IMMEDIATELY” means BEFORE the wing touches…

The BGA receives a steady trickle of reports of gliders being damaged when tow-out gear fails or becomes detached. Fittings can sustain damage or are allowed to deteriorate, which reduces their strength and durability. Now’s a great time to check to the structures and fittings for damage, wear and distortion,…

Rigging errors, and other errors and omissions in preparing a glider for flight, are frequently caused by interruption, distraction, forgetfulness, and making unwarranted assumptions. The BGA has repeatedly drawn attention to these hazards and stressed the importance of rigging, and performing DIs and pre-flight checks, without interruption or DISTRACTION.. Gliding…

The BGA Safety Leaflet ‘Is your glider fit for flight?’ was first published in 2015, updated in 2018, and further updated in January 2023. All glider pilots are encouraged to read the leaflet which can be viewed here.

The BGA offers a risk management review service to gliding clubs.  Experience from facilitating the reviews has identified a potential need for a draft club document that describes to its members how as far as reasonably practicable it has an integrated approach to operating standards. A draft manual has been…

Whilst appearing to be strong, canopy transparencies are easily damaged. Once broken, canopies are difficult and expensive to repair or replace. There are a few basic precautions that can help us avoid canopy mishaps, particularly as we experience stronger winds during the autumn and winter: – Canopies should not be…