The Self-Declared Maintenance Programme (SDMP) is an EASA development that introduces greater flexibility for aircraft owners. All EASA sailplanes including powered sailplanes including TMGs are required to use an SDMP from 1 October 2019. The SDMP requirements permit owners to develop and tailor a maintenance programme for their particular aircraft….

London Heathrow Airport has launched an airspace and future operations consultation. The consultation includes a postcode search tool and interactive maps with indications of aircraft operating heights, etc. The consultation closes on 4 March 2019. You can read more here.

The BGA Competitions Committee report that the closing date for priority entry for National Championships (with exception of Junior Nationals) of 31st January is fast approaching. Please go to https://members.gliding.co.uk/competitions/nationals-entry-form to review dates and venues and to place your provisional entry. There are currently places available in all classes.  

Following earlier approval by the BGA Executive Committee, Tim Freegarde, an experienced gliding instructor and BGA inspector, has taken over the role of BGA Safety Committee chairman. The Safety Committee is one of a small number of specialist sub-committees appointed by and reporting to the Executive Committee in support of…

The UK CAA has appointed Rachel Gardner-Poole as the new Head of its General Aviation Unit. Rachel will take up the post later this year following the departure of current head Tony Rapson. We look forward to introducing Rachel to silent flight! Read more here.

Lasham Gliding Society has provided this update regarding their challenge of the decision by the Civil Aviation Authority to impose unnecessary controlled airspace around Farnborough Airfield. ‘As we have previously reported to you, in November we were granted leave for a judicial review on two of our three grounds of…

The BGA publication ‘Managing Flying Risk’ notes that parachutes should be maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. The BGA safety briefing ‘Parachuting after a mid-air collision’ is available here.  The BGA’s Safety and Training YouTube channel includes a bailout presentation by G Dale that is based on his…

As previously reported, from the 3rd January 2019, the CAA converted all common sporting assignments in the UK to 8.33. Aeronautical ground station licences, obtained from Ofcom, authorise the installation and use of a radio installation which provides ground to air communication (of course many clubs don’t utilise a radio ‘installation’ or…

The CAA reports that ‘the Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ) surrounding Hawarden aerodrome was established in March 2017 to enhance the safety of all aircraft operating in the vicinity of Hawarden aerodrome and to better integrate the increasing number of commercial A300-600N Beluga aircraft operations. AIC Y014/2017 was issued on 16…

The Launchpoint Trust will be at the BGA Conference at the Nottingham Belfry on 2nd March. Anyone is welcome to chat with the Charity’s trustees, whether that’s about an applying for a bursary or making a donation now or in the future. A Launchpoint lottery will be run during the…