News and Notices

New records!

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UK Standard and 15m class straight distance to goal and goal speed records 10 May 2025 Graham Bell Discus bt 401.9km from Butser Hill to Barnard Castle (launched from Lasham) 75.69km/h over 401.9km from Butser Hill to Barnard Castle (this exceeds the previous records by more than 1km/h)

CAA Virtual Work Experience 2025

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The Civil Aviation Authority has asked us to highlight Lift off with the Civil Aviation Authority, described as an innovative Virtual Work Experience initiative set to revolutionise the Aerospace & Engineering sector in partnership with Springpod. This immersive program is designed to make a lasting impact on students nationwide. The…

Pawnee AD update

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Following a long period during which all UK PA25 Pawnees were grounded due to an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that was impossible to achieve on US-built aircraft, thanks to Mark Recht (Deeside GC), Gordon MacDonald (BGA CTO) and others, an Alternative Means of Compliance has been accepted by the UK CAA…

FAI - Social drugs and air sport

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In the personal life of air sports athletes and pilots, many may encounter social drugs in a variety of situations. These social situations may lead to instances of doping, accidental or otherwise. Doping can not only affect sporting or professional performance, but it may also lead to Anti-Doping Rule Violations…

New National Champions!

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We’re delighted to report that following the recent Standard, 15m and Open National Championships delivered by Lasham Gliding Society, the new champions are: Standard Class – Oscar Butlin, LS8, London GC 15m Class – Tom Arscott, Ventus 2a, Lasham GS Open Class – Tim Jenkinson, JS1c, London GC Thanks to all the…

British Gliding Team at the 39th FAI WGC in Tábor

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The British Gliding Team is competing at the World Gliding Championships in the Club, Standard and 15m classes at Tábor, Czech Republic from the 7th to the 21st June.  Good luck to all our pilots! You can follow the action here.

Using simulators in gliding training

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As many gliding clubs have discovered, simulators can be a great help in gliding training at all levels, from beginners to instructors. Experience shows that it can save the student time and money if exercises are first briefed, then practised with an instructor on a simulator, and then flown in…

SPL conversion - Basic Instructors

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As previously reported, changes to UK SFCL have been proposed that are expected to be confirmed in law later this summer. One of those changes is the inclusion of a Basic Instructor (Sailplanes) rating. The BGA sailplane pilot licence conversion application forms have been updated, approved, and republished. To help…

Balloon event at Thirsk racecourse 13-15 June

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The Pennine Region Balloon Association is holding its annual hot air balloon event at Thirsk Racecourse (horsebox park on Newsham Road) over the weekend of the 13-15 June 2025. The PRBA has invited any local glider pilots who are not flying that day to visit the event. Their pilot briefings…

Two new frequencies for GA use

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Effective immediately, two frequencies, 123.065 MHz and 123.135 MHz, have been assigned for air-to-air communication for General Aviation. These channels are intended for sharing important safety information in situations where pilots are operating without ATC or FIS support. They can be used for: sharing weather-related information coordinating formation flights flights…

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