Flying in a competition this year? Competitions bring together groups of like minded individuals to socialise, learn lots, compete and compare their performances when flying the same cross-country task, and all within a fairly tight set of rules that aim to ensure a level playing field. Competitions are great fun….

Professor Ulf Ringertz from Sweden has designed, built and flown a couple of interesting non-Part 21 sailplanes. You can read about them at https://nordicgliding.com/jomfruflyvning-paa-projekt-vm-vinderfly-efter-15-aar/ https://nordicgliding.com/svaevefly-paa-job-og-i-fritiden/ There is a link to an automatic translation in the first lines of the article text.  

Human factors in aviation refer to the study of how human behaviour, capabilities, and limitations affect safety and performance in aviation. Most flying occurrences and accidents include an element of human factors. This NZ study guidance is interesting. As previously highlighted, these presentations from The Gliding Centre led by a…

The UK military is progressively modernising it’s air traffic service radar equipment. The new Topsky/Star NG system that is also used by several airports provides greater processing including reduced clutter, removal of ambiguity giving a constant picture that isn’t adjustable by controllers, and many other technical/ATC related benefits. Glider pilots…

The British Human Powered Flying Club is holding the 2025 Icarus Cup competition at Lasham during June 2025. Full details are available here.

Various forms of airspace restrictions influence where and how we fly. These are either permanent in nature, in which case they are usually marked on charts; or, they might be temporary, in which case they are communicated through NOTAMs. Permanent or temporary, it is the duty of each and every…

The FAI has launched it’s FAI young artist competition theme for 2026 – ‘Fly to save lives’. Full details are available here. Anyone from a BGA gliding club who is entering the competition should submit their piece via the BGA office. Closing date to be announced.    

The Teaching & Learning Seminar is one of the first steps on the BGA Assistant Instructor course. There is still availability on a Teaching & Learning seminar 10th – 11th June You can book your place here: https://members.gliding.co.uk/events/teaching-learning-seminar-10th-11th-june-online/    

The airspace in and around the RAF Lakenheath / RAF Mildenhall Combined MATZ (“CMATZ”) in the centre of East Anglia is particularly busy with military aircraft traffic. These two aerodromes record around 61,000 aircraft movements annually, including fast jets flying at up to 400 knots, KC-135 air-to-air refuelling tankers and…

There have been some great flights already this year despite the changeable conditions. Many flights are posted on the BGA Ladder and standout examples include near-successful 1000km attempts by pilots flying from Lasham GS and London GC, several 500km+ tasks by club class gliders, and declared and completed large tasks,…