evern Enterprise pulls kies in 27 entrants SO far 27 pilots have registered for Competition Enterprise at from SThe magazine of Bristol and June 28 to July 6 but we expect to hit 30 by the day – and more are welcome. Glos Club Members taking part include Tim Macfadyen, Trevor Stuart, Ralph Bowsfield, Summer 2014 Stuart Lees and Dominic Conway.

The comp allows starts when you want It will be a Magical and launch when you want, and club fly - great family ing will be as normal. There will be no week and moment mass launches or held starts, and there will made all the be up to five tugs arranged by Ian lane. better by Volunteers are needed and student everyone who can offer to help joining members are being called upon. Ken Pile in – every little helps! is running control and is looking for help We will need help to put up the public on a daily/hourly basis. address system and to man telephones. Steve Watson is looking for people to Pete Bunniss has helped in all the help, man launching, keep logs, connect preparation, as have the office staff. Pete tow ropes. Ray Lemin is the photographer, is preparing the brochure and lots of work Trevor Stuart, who won the 40th an - has been done on sponsorship, including niversary Enterprise at North Hill last approaches to Sainsbury’s, the BGA shop, year, is helping with tasking. Justin Wills EuroFOX uk, Walkers, Hill insurance, and is director and Tim the assistant. local restaurants.

A good omen?

Steve Eyles shows the Jim Web - ster Plate to Megan Moss at the annual prizegiving. He won it as the most deserving instructor. The citation mentioned his “con - stant enthusiasm and willingness to make his own flying more complicated through provision of launch service to others first”. Lenticulars greeted CFI Chris Edwards and the 2014 cadets on their first Awards in full: page 3 full day at the club. Among other things they were shown Gordon Davis’ Steve on charity run: page 5 Super Dimona THE club now has eight cadets, four of if he does well. The K-8 is waiting for him. We’re focused this year’s intake generously sponsored by If he eats enough pies we may be able to Doug Jones and Barry Walker. The spon - fit him in the Baby Grob, which has far THE club features in the S&G Club Focus sored cadets are expected to attend regu - more “street cred”. spot in the summer issue. The article was lary and help around the club. If the newcomers all continue with their written by Bernard Smyth with input from Their enthusiasm isn’t in doubt and they rapid progress they should be solo during several club officials. would attend every day if they had the the summer holidays, weather permitting. Child protection talk chance, but they have to depend on their If you see them make sure you give them OUR instructors are invited to attend a parents for lifts. things to do and keep them busy. They like child protection presentation by Caron Last year’s cadets, Dorian Bury and Dan to be involved, especially retrieving glid - Mattern at Cotswold Gliding Club, Aston Smith, have soloed and are still very active, ers. Down, on June 23 (time to be advised, but both swotting for their GCSEs. Douggie Vance has been accepted for probably about 7-7.30pm). Dorian has been promised a motorbike the Caroline Trust Award. CE IN THE last issue of Severn so no deer ticks, but I do re - Skies I promised that spring was member tiny red harvest on its way – and I wasn’t PPlleeaassee sstteeeerr cclleeaarr mites that seemed to bite wrong! Skylarks have been everybody and cause much singing their heads off above the ooff uunnmmoowwnn aarreeaass unseemly scratching the fol - field while all around in the lowing week! We also had trees and hedgerows both resi - more harebells in those days dents and summer migrants – beautiful blue flowers that have been setting up home and come later in the season. announcing their territories. Our remnant few are now The easiest songs to identify confined to the unmown are probably robin, blackbird, area near the entrance to the wren, song thrush, blackcap and caravan site. The actual site chiffchaff. was marked by some black I did manage to hear a dawn cones for years, but they chorus towards the end of April seem to have disappeared. – I must admit that I was too The unmown areas of the late for the very first notes but it field are really important. had got extremely loud by a Many different grasses and quarter past six with tawny owls wildflowers flourish there, still hooting in Woodchester attracting insects, and thus Valley and muntjac deer barking birds too, and are refuges down there as well as a whole for other wildlife. Please try lot of singing. By early May it not to drive through these starts even earlier – before 5am! areas – I noticed a squashed The primroses and cowslips slow worm where the put on a good show this year mower had been driven and the violets around the cara - A blue tit By Daphne Malfiggiani through one of these reser - van site were stunning. vations down near the val - On some sunny days several species of butterfly have al - ley fence. As ever, the TFS clipboard will be by the noticeboard ready been seen, including peacock, small tortoiseshell, brim - in the old clubhouse and I hope many members will find the stone and comma. On a just-before-twilight walk around the time to record any relevant observations on it. field recently I saw a muntjac deer with a kid (as their young Nancy Barrett are apparently called), as well as the more usually visible roe deer and a hare. We win Easter Rockpolishers The highlight of a recent weekend for me was hearing the Results Saturday, 19 April cuckoo calling near the caravan site. It used to be a regular sign Pundit Task: NYM-HYE-PPN-PON-NY2 (180km) of spring and they were heard every year when they used reed 1 Trevor Stuart (Nym) ASW 27B 104 warblers’ nests down in Woodchester Valley. They were occa - 2 Julian Fack (Mynd) Duo Discus T 102; 158.1km Engine start sionally seen too, as were the young, later in the season. 3 Paul Gentil (AD) SHK 89 turned back Another reminder of times past for me is a singing skylark. I Intermediate Task: NYM-PEN-CHC-DUY-NY2 (133 km) have only once found a skylark’s nest actually on the field and 1 Dave Ascroft (Nym) LS6 Completed that was many years ago when we used to have sheep doing the 2 Richard Bennet (Mynd) LS4 landout mowing (Ken Brown’s excellent club history on the club web - Novice Task: NYM-PEN-WCB-DUY-NY2 (105 km) site will tell you exactly when this was and the extra duties it 1 Christophe Mutricy (Nym) Std Cirrus landout gave to the winch driver). 2 John Randal (Mynd) Pegase landout We didn’t ever seem to see deer on the field in those days – 3 Alex (AD) ASW19 turned back Weekend scores: 1 Nym 11; 2 Mynd 8; 3 AD 4; Usk 0. Sunday was scrubbed. As only one day was run there was no need for the 1,000 point system. The weekend points are as per the latest scoring advice for Interclub for three and two competing clubs in a four-club Severn Skies system. is the magazine of Bristol and Glos Gliding Club, Nympsfield, Stonehouse, Glos GL10 3T Welcome to new members Tel 01453 860342; fax 01453 860060 Email: [email protected] Alex Szymanski Junior Sent free in mono to every UK gliding club. The Miron Bury Cadet Solo & Beyond magazine can also be viewed in colour or downloaded David Ridout Adult Solo & Beyond from the website, www.bggc.co.uk Nicholas Baldock Adult Solo & Beyond Editor: Bernard Smyth Tel 01454 329751 Kevin Westwood Adult Flying Email: b.smyth(no spam)@blueyonder.co.uk (delete no David Pickering Pick Adult Flying spam) John Plumridge Adult Solo & Beyond Printed by Arrow Print Services Ltd 01342 844255 Joanna Mailharrancin Junior 2 Cheers! Bar stars get a reward ANDY and Elaine Townsend were pre - sented with the Parry-Jones trophy at the annual prizegiving in May for their work in running the club bar. Steve Moss was missing when he was to collect the Meyer trophy from chairman Fred Hill for the best retrieve story so wife Jenny collected it for him. Steve had sussed the problem, made some phone calls and tracked down a Pawnee carburettor part and sped off to Oxford to pick it up. He was given the tro - phy and a well-deserved pint and a late meal in Guiseppe’s Gourmet later. The awards list in full: Club ladder trophy : Trevor Stuart. Macfadyen trophy for winner of week - end ladder: Matt Davis. Chairman Fred Hill presents Andy Townsend with the Parry-Jones trophy for Malcolm Gay trophy for junior ladder: services to the club. It was won by Andy and wife Elaine for running the bar Matt Davis. Guinness trophy (best flight in club ): Simon Bawden in MY (25/5/13, New chutes 414 km). Evening World trophy (gain of height from NYM): Alison Mulder (9581ft, tsar found 30/6/13). GRAHAM B owser has taken over from Cyril Uwins trophy (cross-country Ken Brown as our parachute tsar. Ken had (longest or best)): Mark Parker (761km done the job for almost 64 years. He (661km handicapped), 3/6/13, almost thanked all the members who had given close circuit). him support. The next pick-up will be at Shaun de Salis trophy (best/fastest the end of July. closed circuit from NYM): Russ Francis Recently there has been an inconsistent (600km (600km), 25/5). improvement in looking after club chutes. Parry-Jones trophy : For services to the They must be handled with care. The fol - club : Elaine and Andy Townsend. lowing procedure will be used to take The Meyer trophy for the best retrieve parachutes to and from gliders, without story: Paolo Nicolai, Stefano Longo, Steve exception: Moss, Trevor Stuart. l Club parachutes will be taken to the Jim Webster Plate for the most deserving glider in their bag. instructor: Steve Eyles, constant enthusi - l Bags will be stowed in the glider. If you asm and willingness to make his own fly - don’t know where the storage is in the Steve Moss with the Meyer tankard and ing more complicated through provision glider ask an instructor. a well-deserved pint after his rush to of launch service to others first. l After use parachutes will be placed in Oxford to pick up a carburettor spare Rex Young trophy for the most promising their bags, returned to the parachute loft to get the Pawnee back in service again beginner: Jimmy Young (BUGC). and stowed in the correct slot. l The office must be informed of any un - serviceability, saying what is wrong and Retrieve syndicate taken over giving your name. The office will pass the STEvE Kohnstamm has recently bought into George Szabo-Toth’s EGE syn - message on to the chute tzar. dicate and knows George is unwell and cannot carry on organising the retrieve syndicate for now. So he has taken over from George, at least for the time being. Arcus on offer He asks members to let him know either if their details have changed or if they wish to be taken off the list. If members know of anyone that wants to be BARRY Walker’s generous offer of an Arcus on the list, but isn’t, let them know of the syndicate. M for x/c training of youngsters by experi - enced pilots has been accepted. Steve Eyles As Steve is a relatively new cross-country pilot he says he could do a few suggested hangar rent only equitable if equal favours to call on for retrieves. So if anyone lands out, especially weekdays, for all and self launches should be charged as think of calling him first. He lives about 15 minutes from the airfield, so it’s a winch launch. Noted that all P1s and owners relatively easy to get trailers. He’s insured to drive other people’s cars, but only must be members of BGGC. All P2s must be third party, so it might be better if he uses his own. Contact Steve at members of a BGA club. [email protected] 3 BACK in the late 1970s the then Chief tial pressure or PO2. At ground level this represents the top of a very steep slope in Medical Officer of the Aircraft and Arma - is about 160mm Hg (21% of 760). By terms of oxygen carriage ,because the way ment Experimental Establishment at 10,000ft it is down to 105mm Hg. By haemoglobin works means that a very Boscombe Down made a precautionary 18,000ft it will be 82mm Hg. small further fall in PO2 causes a very landing in his light aircraft at Nympsfield. rapid fall in haemoglobin oxygen satura - This necessitated an overnight stay and he Physiology tion. It is possible to measure arterial was well entertained! In the course of the haemoglobin oxygen saturation with a evening the subject of wave flying came All body cells require oxygen to func - pulse-oximeter but I do not recommend up and he offered four of us a “flight” in tion and all are sensitive to oxygen lack reliance upon this (see below). the decompression chamber. Haemoglobin releases oxy - One of our group, normally a gen in the tissues, where PO2 cautious pilot, had been to over Oxygen use at is lower. High acidity (low 18,000ft at Portmoak the year pH) and high CO2 levels in - before without oxygen, in spite crease the rate of release, of medical advice on the radio high altitude whilst a low PCO2 has the re - to break off the climb. The sub - verse effect (see below). The sequent “flight” with decom - By Derek Dye presence of carbon monoxide pression to 20,000ft followed (CO), which binds to the oxy - by removal of our oxygen masks in turn (hypoxia) but those of the brain and spinal gen receptor sites on haemoglobin, not was a salutary experience for all but espe - cord are the most sensitive. Oxygen from only reduces the amount of oxygen that cially for the pilot who had been at the air dissolves in blood in the lungs and 18,000ft! Tasks which had been simple at is mostly taken up by the protein haemo - “ground level” took much longer and the globin, the red pigment in blood. Haemo - results were less accurate. Further “as - globin which is carrying the maximum cent” to 25,000ft followed by removal of amount of oxygen is said to be 100% sat - masks resulted in rapid deterioration, to urated. A small quantity remains in simple the extent that assistance was required to solution. Oxygen rich blood is carried to replace our oxygen masks, such was our the tissues via the arteries, pumped around level of incapacity. the circulation by the heart. The PO2 in the A quote from the testimony of a pilot air sacs deep in the lung (alveoli) will be from the Great War testing a new oxygen lower than that in inspired air because the system illustrates the need for additional alveoli also contain water vapour and car - oxygen at altitude. “I did not experience bon dioxide (CO2), which dilute the air. any discomfort at this height of 22,000ft Turning to figure 2 and ignoring the left- can be carried but also impairs release of (his highest previous flight was 20,000ft), hand scale for the moment, look at the top oxygen. Smokers may have as much as but when I turned on the oxygen and and bottom scales. At ground level (on the 10% of their haemoglobin bound to CO breathed it into my lungs through the face (COHb) so they are effectively at 5,000+ft mask the effect was amazing. It was com - before they leave the ground! Even pas - parable to an overcast sky changing to sive smokers may have COHb levels of 1- brilliant sunshine and I felt very much 2%. Because of the effect on O2 release more alert”. Bear in mind that this was a the effective reduction in O2 transport very fit young man, well used to several may be as much as 20% in heavy smokers. sorties a day at altitudes in excess of The smoker’s body compensates to some 15,000ft. He was to a great extent accli - extent by producing more haemoglobin matised yet his loss of colour vision sug - containing red cells but the price is a thick - gests that he was on the edge of ening of the blood which reduces tissue unconsciousness (see below). blood flow and puts a strain on the heart. To understand why we suffer from hy - It takes four hours to halve the blood poxia at altitude and why extra oxygen is left side of the top scale) the PO2 (on the COHb concentration if breathing air at required one has to consider the physics bottom scale) is about 150mm Hg in the ground level; considerably longer at alti - and physiology. One is then better placed atmosphere but within the alveoli the PO2 tude. Having a last cigarette before a wave to avoid the worst consequences. will be lower at 115mm Hg. At 10,000ft flight really isn’t wise! the alveolar PO2 will be only 65mm Hg. Once oxygen has reached the tissues Physics If I had a patient with this low a PO2 I and been released by haemoglobin it must would be considering respiratory assis - diffuse into the cells. The minimum PO2 Air contains 21% oxygen at ground tance! By 18,000ft PO2 in the alveoli will required for cell function is about 25mm level and the same at 50,000ft or 100,000ft be just 37mm Hg, dangerously close to the Hg, below this cells will start to malfunc - for that matter. What changes with altitude threshold for cell malfunction (see below). tion. This is an oversimplification and is pressure. This is 760mm Hg at ground If you look at the left hand scale in fig - takes no account of individual variation level, falling non-linearly with altitude ure 2 you will see that whilst haemoglobin nor of the effects of acclimatisation (peo - (see fig 1). By 10,000ft it has fallen to just is usually 100% saturated with oxygen at ple who climb Everest without oxygen over 500mm Hg, by 18,000ft it has halved ground level, this has fallen to around 90% have acclimatised over many weeks), but to 380mm Hg. The oxygen component of at 10,000ft (ie it now carries 10% less oxy - it is a good working figure when one starts the atmosphere exerts a pressure, the par - gen). Not too bad you might think but 90% Continued on page 5 4 Continued from page 4 bad, eg because hands are cold, or in the oxygen (>10 L/min) and descend immedi - to consider hypoxia and why it occurs. presence of hyperventilation. They over- ately. Smoking within 24 hrs of a flight Oxygen effectively has to flow along a read in the presence of CO. will reduce your altitude tolerance by pressure gradient from the air to the tissues The body responds to hypoxia (and to 3,000ft. or more. Don’t! and rather like a river, if the gradient be - anxiety) by hyperventilation (breathing Breathing 50% oxygen will normally comes too flat the flow becomes sluggish, faster and more deeply), and this reduces keep alveolar PO2 at a safe level to or ceases completely. Figure 3 shows the CO2 levels in the blood and tissues.This 25,000ft. Beyond that you need 100% approximate PO2 in lungs, blood and tis - impairs oxygen release from haemoglobin, with a close-fit mask and a reservoir bag. sues at ground level (solid line) and and also causes blood vessels in the brain Oxygen systems for aircraft are a subject 10,000ft (dashed line) when breathing air. to constrict (cerebral vasoconstriction). on their own and beyond the scope of this As you can see the tissue PO2, 37mm Hg This reduces brain blood flow and may article but a tube held between the teeth is at 10,000ft is dangerously close to the cause a feeling of light-headedness, some - not very effective! Even “nasal cannulae” 25mm Hg minimum for cell function. times with visual impairment, in other are not really very effective because peak There is some individual variation. Fit, words it can partly mimic hypoxia. inspiratory flow is much greater that the lean people will fare slightly better, smok- Too high a PO2 can also cause cerebral flow available. 50% oxygen requires a ers will fare much worse. Well acclima - vasoconstriction. Although in practice it is flow of 5 litres/min with a proper mask, tised individuals can function at ambient difficult to achieve really high inspired O2 preferably with a reservoir bag to reduce oxygen pressures which would cause most levels with the oxygen systems fitted in waste. of us to lose consciousness, but acclimati - gliders; small changes in inspired PO2 The rewards of high altitude flying can sation takes days or even weeks at high al - may affect the diameter of cerebral blood be stunning but you should treat altitude titude and does not apply to most pilots. with respect, lest you end up stunned in Cold will exacerbate the problem by caus - another sense! ing shivering and increasing oxygen de - mand, so that venous blood returning from Bear behind! the tissues is even more oxygen poor. Moreover an increased portion of the car - diac output (the blood pumped by the heart) has to be diverted to muscle, poten - tially reducing blood flow to vital organs. Some illnesses, especially respiratory or heart conditions and most particularly res - piratory infections, will make the situation much worse as will consumption of alco - hol. Anaemia (reduced blood Hb levels) vessels and this may contribute to the par - will impair oxygen transport and render adox that hypoxia symptoms sometimes the individual more prone to hypoxia. get worse briefly on starting to breath oxy - gen (in established hypoxia) and pilots The effects of hypoxia may feel light-headed on removing the mask on descent. The effects of hypoxia on the brain are particularly dangerous because the onset The message is insidious. The first effects to become ap - parent are subtle personality changes, fol - The message is very simple. Everyone Steve Eyles at the start of the Bristol lowed by euphoria with diminished should use oxygen above 10,000ft. and if 10k run in May. He began with 75 bal - caution, lack of judgement, loss of short you have none don’t be tempted to go loons but ended up with far fewer! He term memory (with inability to do arith - higher. You may get away with a rapid did the run in 1hr 25min and raised metric tasks) and eventually mental and climb to 15,000ft. followed by a rapid de - £300. Altogether the run raised £95,474 muscular incoordination leading to slurred scent but you are taking a chance. If you and counting to be split between Clic speech. Colour vision is impaired and linger trying for extra height you are court - Sergeant - Bristol and World Vision in “tunnel vision” (reduced visual field) may ing disaster! Make sure that you have suf - aid of Syrian refugee children. occur. Unconsciousness follows rapidly. ficient oxygen for the descent too; descent Many individuals can be shown to be less from 20,000ft. takes some time, especially effective at mental tasks at 8,000ft, which if your glider lacks speed limiting air Syndicates plea is why commercial aircraft are pressurised brakes. The longer you stay at high alti - KEN Brown is putting together the section to a cabin altitude of 6,000ft. All un-accli - tude the more oxygen is “washed out” of the club history covering 1977 to 1986 matised people show signs of hypoxia from the body tissues. This depletes your but is short of information about private above 10,000ft. total body oxygen store and the ”debt” syndicates in that period. Please send him Unfortunately there is no simple reli - must be repaid on descent, so it is wise to any information, either about the syndi - able way to monitor hypoxia. Pulse keep the oxygen on until you have de - cates you were in or others that they know oximeters, which give a reading of haemo - scended to a safe altitude, preferably about. The kind of information which he globin oxygen saturation, are useful in a 5,000ft or less. is after includes glider type, registration medical situation but are too prone to er - If at any time you feel unwell, try to and comp number, owners and dates when rors to be reliable in gliders. In particular control your breathing( in case hyperven - it came on site, and its disposal. they do not work well if the circulation is tilation is the cause), go onto high flow [email protected] 5 1,000ft hazard on the way?

Extra helper for Juniors THE new network of mentors to support Junior pilots across the country has an extra member to help pilots in the West and Wales. The idea is for people new to the sport to get in touch with them, ask any ques - tions and in return the mentors can get them involved in any events that are planned. As well as Matt Davis, mentioned in the last issue, Saz Reed is a mentor for the South West and Wales. She’s on 07801 take a proficiency check. AIrBOrNE turbines like these have 996495 or [email protected] See (See www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/licens - been designed to generate electricity https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit? ing/Licenceguidanceissued from strong winds high up in the atmos - mid=z5Bc8T4O5qIo.k7llKl6L6cvc withlicence.pdf ) phere and could be undergoing trials in Julian added: “So I think in practice if Britain soon. Lapsed? Try again! you got an LAPL(S) conversion done as a The devices have been designed to KNOW any former pilots who could be per - lapsed pilot, by the time you had been generate electricity from strong winds suaded to return to gliding? Julian Rees checked out to go solo again you will have high up in the atmosphere. wrote on the glider pilot network recently passed a proficiency check and so be good Once tethered to the ground, the about what they will need to do to take up to go.” BATs will float at 1,000ft. They are fab - the sport again. ric shells filled with helium surrounding He said the 24-month rolling requirement Want to fly midweek? a three-blade turbine similar to those at is for “recency” (more normally called cur - IF you want to fly with Dave Hallsworth windfarms. rency in gliding circles) – you need 5hrs, 15 on a weekday you must notify the office The makers, US green energy firm launches and at least five launches of the at least the day before to guarantee that Altaeros Energies, say they have the po - type you are about to embark on (winch, Dave has the capacity to give you the at - tential to produce up to three times as A/T, or self launch) plus two flights with an tention you need. much power as traditional turbines. instructor in the past 24 months. In actuality We have a number of people booked in They can be taken practically any - this is probably a lot less than most clubs and then others turning up unannounced, where on a low-loader, making them will have as their currency rules. causing a backlog of pilots wanting useful for remote areas or places where The LAPL(S) licence itself is for life once Dave's attention, resulting disappointment costs are high. you have got it – but you need to meet the all round. And they could be undergoing trials recency requirements to “exercise the priv - in Scotland before long. ileges” of the licence. If you don't meet the Nigel takes on new role Altaeros business development man - currency requirements you can fly solo au - NIGEL Smith has graciously agreed to be ager ryan Holy said: “We are looking at thorised by an instructor until you do so, or the club’s Child Protection Officer. remote and rural locations first … so it could be some parts of Scotland, or any islands that have to ship their fuel in. advertise in “We are very flexible on where we’d like to manufacture and assemble our product and it’s going to really come down to our partners, our international Severn Skies relations and what’s a good fit.” l reasonable rates for all advertising of in - terest to our members and all glider pilots For sale l Quarterly publication that is available in colour online for the whole gliding world. Mono Ninth share in Duo Discus 802 £6,800. Contact Richard Tobin copies are also sent to every UK gliding club telephone 07925 240745 or Contact Bernard Smyth at [email protected] [email protected] 6 Mike goes from paper boy to comp director THIS article, which appeared in the championships before moving to New Wild Tomato magazine in NZ, tells of Zealand in 2000. Mike Strathern, left, presents win - Mike Strathern’s early days at “I came with three suitcases, one daugh - ner Dane Dickinson with his trophy Nympsfield ter, one wife and one glider (his ASW 27 at the Alpine Lodge National Club 280). We had next to no money, no house, Michael lives in Brightwater, New Class Championships no school and basically thought, ‘let’s go Zealand, but is more at home when he’s on an adventure’.” Learn about the following a wind current along a snowy He chose New Zealand because it’s so ridgeline in his ASW 20 licence changes good for gliding, with the name Aotearoa, A PRESENTATION on EASA licence WHEN Michael Strathern was 14 and liv - the land of the long white cloud, due to the conversion, originally used during recent ing in , his paper round paid for one lenticular clouds formed by winds coming BGA regional presentations and designed glider flight a week. over the main divide, hitting the ground to help pilots understand the basics of the When he was 15 he got a slightly better and bouncing up. EASA Part-FCL pilot licence conversion job to afford three a week and flew on That creates a North-West arch that glid - process, has been published at www.glid - Tuesday evening parties with Robbie ers can ride from Invercargill to Blenheim ing.co.uk/bgainfo/Conversion/Conver - Robertson. On the day he turned 16 he fin - and back. sion.pdf ished his English exam then raced off for “That’s quite a common flight,” he said. Although not intended to replace the his first solo (in a Swallow after a check Glider pilots also love the winds that detailed conversion guidance supplied at with Chalky White). sweep up steep slopes at places like the http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/licens - That day in 1977, alone with glider and Mount Robert Ridge, thermal winds that ing/easalicensing.htm, it provides an sky, Mike’s obsession with the sport was create fluffy cumulous clouds the gliders easy-to-understand guide to the basic complete. hop between, and the convergence winds, principles and procedures. “I flew as much as I could. I just loved created by sea breezes. The BGA warns the CAA is experienc - it,” he said. “This country is very, very good for a ing a significant backlog of licence appli - Time has done little to cool the fervour, variety of weather,” Mike added. cations and there is a delay of 5-6 weeks. and he still cherishes the freedom and ad - A marriage of weather and landscapes Any applicant who faces difficulties be - venture of catching a current that will take came to the party at St Arnaud for the cause they have not received their SPL or him hundreds of kilometres. Alpine Lodge National Club Class Cham - LAPL(S) should contact the BGA office. “You don’t think about work or prob - pionships. Don’t leave applying until the last minute. lems at home...The only way you can stay Twenty five pilots, including 12 com - up is your skill, so you are really part of petitors, took part in five picturesque race Ladder help the elements – part of your glider and part routes, each up to 300km long. IF, for some reason, you cannot make a of your environment.” formal Ladder flight declaration (elec - These days he also gets a buzz out of Set day’s task tronic or written form), write your de - teaching talented young pilots and Michael, who was national champion in clared task down in the launchpoint log coaches the under-25s in New 2004, came second in last year’s nationals sheet comments box before you take off. Zealand. but was race director of the St Arnaud When completing your Ladder entry “I’m basically doing for them what hap - event, so could not compete. later, you will need to tick the most ap - pened to me.” Instead he helped study weather reports propriate “self-validation” box eg “I was Michael took a break from gliding in his each morning to set the day’s task, choos - one of a group attempting the same task late teens but in his 20s he bought a quarter ing from 200 possible geographical mark - set at briefing” if that was the case. share in an old wooden glider (K-6 EAH).. ers, including Molesworth Station ( the NB: This does not apply to the six Lad - “Then I just flew all the time — every biggest sheep station in NZ) , Lakes Ten - der club tasks that count as pre-declared weekend, any time I could.” nyson and Constance, Springs Junction already. He was trained up by national champi - and the Mount Robert and St Arnaud rob Thompson Ladder Steward ons and won various scholarships and ridges. The gliders in the competition cruised at Sign up to get gliding in ’17 World Games around 160kph at heights of up to 4,000 A CAMPAIGN is under way to have gliding included in the World Games 2017 metres. in Wroclaw, Poland. Paragliding and parachuting have featured in past games. “They were all exhausted when they The campaign is asking glider pilots (and others) around the world to show came back,” said Mike. their support by completing the form at www.smykinastart.pl/in- The top three pilots were under 28, and english/41.html More information about the World Games and the Interna - Mike hopes events like that will inspire tional World Games Association can be found at more young people to get involved in this http://www.theworldgames.org/ “purest form of flight”. 7 Some timely tips on rigging and DIs l Pilot parachuted from the top of a winch quate preparation for flight, mainly un - as a club official, try to develop a culture launch locked airbrakes, and loose articles. which makes everyone aware of the cru - l Glider on a trial lesson crashed in a field Rigging, DIs, and pre-flight checks cial importance of conscientious rigging, shortly after aerotow take-off should be conducted in accordance with DIs, and pre-flight checks. l Wing flutter during test flight after the following guidelines: Some glider types are particularly prone major repair l Rigging is directed by a person experi - to control connection deficiencies. There What do these accidents and incidents enced on the type, in accordance with the are more than 150 types on the BGA reg - have in common? flight manual, without interruption or dis - ister but nearly half the unconnected ele - The glider was not prepared properly traction vators since 1974 have occurred to the for flight. These events were a direct con - l The DI is conducted by a person expe - ASW 19/20 type. 40 per cent of the uncon - sequence of shortcomings in rigging, DI, rienced on the type, without interruption nected ailerons have occurred to the or pre-flight checks. or distraction Kestrel and Libelle types. If you fly an In the past four years 10 flights have l The pilot carries out proper pre-flight ASW19/20 give special attention to the el - been made in gliders with disconnected checks, again without interruption or dis - evator connection. If you fly a Kestrel or controls (three elevator, four aileron, one traction. Libelle, beware of unconnected ailerons. flap, one airbrake, one trim). Two flights Shortcomings in glider integrity usually Whatever type you fly, please ensure have been made with an insecure tailplane arise from the universal human failings of you avoid glider integrity problems. and one flight with an insecure main pin. distraction, forgetfulness, and making un - BGA Safety Committee Other flights with improperly rigged warranted assumptions. gliders include two with missing drag Carry out rigging, DIs and pre-flight EvEryONE involved in winch launches pins, a disconnected hotelier, missing checks diligently, competently and WITH - should act to ensure that the launch is as shims, a drag pin inserted with the handle OUT INTERRUPTION OR DISTRAC - safe as possible by correctly setting up for instead of the barrel, and a missing TION. Do not begin unless you exactly the launch, ensuring the wing is balanced wingtip. These events led to one fatality. how to rig this particular glider. If you are at all-out, waiting for the glider to creep There could easily have been more. One interrupted, go back to the beginning. As forward before giving all-out, running glider was taken to the launchpoint with a bystander, do not interrupt people who with the wing, etc as recommended in the the wing main pin on the pilot’s seat. One are rigging, doing a DI, or conducting their BGA Stop the Drop presentation. insecure tailplane was detected just before pre-flight checks. If you are engaged on This is on the Safe Winch Launch DVD launch. 29 canopies detached in flight. these activities and someone speaks to (available from CFIs) or There were 19 other instances of inade - you, send them away. As an instructor or www.gliding.co.uk/safewinchlaunching

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8 Measuring the Static Position Error on Corporation had been experimenting with well, and in fact I was able to thermal with Skylark 2c Comp No 33 towing a much simpler static tube behind, the tube trailing behind and get more By Ken Brown instead of below, their aircraft, and keep - height for the steady runs. ing it in line with the airflow using the Afterwards there was the business of I THOUGHT it might be worthwhile to drag of a glassfibre cone attached behind developing the film and taking the read - reprint this article, which was written in the tube. They found that provided the ings from some 500 frames (the down side 2006, just to show what we of not jotting readings in the were allowed to do before the air). After rejecting the read - EC decided to strangle us with ings from periods of un - red tape. This is an account of Before EU strangled steady flight, the remainder how a group of syndicate were processed into non-di - members calibrated the static mensional form, that is the pressure system of a Skylark 2 us with red tape… quantity: pressure error di - which they had modified. vided by the dynamic pres - This Skylark, which was static holes were more than about 6 chords sure, ρV2/2 . When this was plotted against commonly referred to by its competition behind the wing this system gave the re - lift coefficient, it was the same as the man - number 33, had been subject to some quired accuracy. I knew that I could not ufacturer’s measurement, displaced by the pretty fundamental modifications in the make a cone light enough to do the job at amount to be expected because of the early 1960s: the wing to body incidence glider speeds, and so substituted a small change of the wing angle of attack. This had been reduced by 4 degrees and an ex - parachute made using fabric from a time was most confidence inspiring because it panding fillet had been built up at the wing expired canopy. With this arrangement I meant that we both got the same measure - fuselage joint; the flat on the top of the could take off and land with the 40 odd ment for the same inclination of the fuse - fuselage behind the wing was replaced by feet of tubing extended. lage to the airstream. a spine and a lot of other drag reducing Denis got the apprentice school at Fil - This was before the days of elec - changes had been made. In the months fol - ton to drill the necessary holes in a length tronic calculators and home comput - lowing the work, Denis Corrick did the of 1/4 inch steel tubing to act as the static ers, and so all the calculations had to handling tests and the glider was given an pressure sensor, and Roger Jefferies lent be done by hand. Experimental Category CofA. However me a rate of climb indicator, which I con - To ease the work I drew up a couple of when the syndicate decided to sell out in verted into a sensitive differential pressure nomograms. These consist of three scales, the late 1960s we needed a full CofA and gauge by sealing off the calibrated leak, so each representing a quantity such as ASI that required the static system to be cali - that I could make a direct measurement of reading, pressure error in inches of water, brated. the difference between the true and glider and pressure error in terms of knots, con - For those not up on the technicali - static pressures. And I bought a second - structed so that by laying a ruler across se - ties, the static pressure fed to an ASI hand double eight cine camera which I lected values on two scales, it cuts the has to be uninfluenced by the presence mounted on the back of the cockpit. This third scale at the corresponding value. It of the glider if the ASI is to read cor - was equipped with a device which Ted was possible to incorporate the instrument rectly. In practice where ever the Holmes made to make it take pictures at calibrations into these scales so that they static holes are located on the glider roughly 1 second intervals. I was able to worked with the raw readings. So these there will be some small error in sens - borrow an ASI which had very little stick - simple charts did for the price of a piece ing the pressure, and these errors, tion. of graph paper what a home computer known as position errors, are what we could have done for £500 if one had been had to measure. As I was a flight test Fair amount of work to do available! engineer I had the job of doing it. We sent off a copy of our report to the At the time, the accepted way of doing Having got all this together, there was a BGA and they gave us our full CofA. the job was to suspend a “bomb” equipped fair amount of development work to do. Sadly, no-one could do a similar project with supposedly accurate pressure sensing For example the instruments had to be cal - nowadays, or conduct the testing we did. holes below the glider on about 30 or 40 ibrated and mounted on a panel which feet of plastic tubing. This was connected could easily be swapped with the normal Another win for to the static connection of one ASI and the one, and lag measurements had to be made glider static was connected to another one. to make sure that all the tubing did not in - Andy Davis The pilot then jotted down the readings of troduce appreciable errors. Exposure and aNDY Davis won the open both ASIs as he flew a range of steady focus adjustments had to be made on the Class Nationals at lasham speeds. I did not fancy this arrangement. camera by trial and error with the “fixed after three competition days Mainly I did not like the idea of having to focus” lens being adjusted by shimming with 2102 points. Js 1Cs took pull in yards of tubing in the later stages the lens mount using paper washers. the first five places and a Js of a flight and having to land with the Jed Barrett solved a problem of the 1B was sixth. cockpit filled with coils of tubing. Also I camera vibrating on its mount by stuffing Greg o’Hagan (ls4) won did not like the idea of relying on two a duster between the camera and the cock - the first day of the Blue re - ASIs, each with its own calibration and pit back. Once a long enough chord had gionals there, but after the sticktion characteristics. Again I did not been fitted between the static tube and the second and last day he was like the idea of writing down numbers parachute, the trailing assembly flew fourth. steve eyles (ls4) when I should be concentrating on accu - steadily. came seventh. Matt Davis and rate flying. Once all the development had been steve Pozerskis came ninth About this time the Douglas Aircraft sorted, the measurement flights went very in a DG-505. 9 What a year for students! WHAT a busy year 2014 has been for the We have had our first week long expe - Bristol University Gliding Club. So just dition to the Long Mynd and had a great what have the students been up to this competition presence this year, with mem - year? We have more members than ever bers representing Bristol University and before – 91 at last count! All of whom BGGC at the 2013 Junior Nationals, Inter- have had either trial lessons or have been universities competition and the winter se - partaking in regular weekday and week - ries. Coming up we have this summer’s end training, all of which has been made Nationals and Inter-Unis and a two-day possible by the seven days a week opera - varsity event with UWE that this year is tion at the club. taking place at . I very much There are now 10 or so solo pilots and hope that it is a success and that we will a number more with medicals who have see it at Nympsfield next year. Jimmy with his Rex Young trophy for been waiting for the end of the exam sea - It’s great to see BUGC members pro - being the most promising beginner. Full son. HXM has more people wanting to fly gressing in the sport and moving on to dif - awards: page 3 Picture: Andrew Underwood her than there has been since she was ferent forms of flying. Jake Brattle joins OUR student member Jimmy Young, 21, jointly operated by BGGC in 2009. Oli Llewellyn as BUGC’s own basic in - has been awarded a prestigious £500 bur - structors; no excuse not to get the trial les - New trailer sary to obtain a Bronze gliding and x/c sons flown now! qualification, thanks to the Royal Aero It’s a good thing then that this year we Last year’s captain Andy has gone and Club Trust (RAeCT). That’s on top of win - were able to raise money to pay for essen - got himself a Std Cirrus (look out for a ning our most promising youngster trophy. tial maintenance, a new trailer and a sum - new trailer on the line) and Jake Brattle Bursaries of this type, which are part of mer hanger slot. Hopefully this means that has acquired and restored (with the help the Trust’s Flying for Youth (FfY) pro - she will see lots of airtime this summer of Roger) a project K-6. gramme, are awarded annually to UK res - without the worry of rigging every day. In other flying news, congratulations to idents wishing to advance from one This has all been made possible with Alex Nicolai, who has got himself a 12- recognised level of air sport to the next thanks to our two generous sponsors: the hour power flying scholarship courtesy of higher level; or to computer flight simula - Bristol University Aerospace Engineering the Air League. It’s amazing what is avail- tion enthusiasts wishing to gain practical department and AgustaWestland. Continued on page 11 experience of flying or an air sport.

10 Continued from page 10 Old workshop able to those who apply for it. (Also thanks Alert over for the Rex Young cup!). I will take this as a chance to thank the condemned BUGC committee for all their hard work Facebook THE old workshop is condemned for this year and the BGGC committee for the glider repairs and maintenance because of smooth operation of the airfield and seven A RELATIVELY minor incident occurred the roof etc. It will be replaced shortly, and days a week flying. at a gliding club was sensationalised on a refitted. This is now in hand. Thank you for the opportunities you police Facebook page (since withdrawn) As the above will eventually no longer provide to us younger pilots and the dis - using phrases such as “rushed to hospital”, be available for general mechanical work, counts you provide. Without your support, “suspected back injury”, “crash” and “ex - there is a proposal to build a new work - gliding would not be so popular among tensively damaged”. shop about 10x12m beyond the tug students! This was picked up and reported, in hangar. Primarily for winch maintenance With this in mind and to highlight our many cases verbatim, by local newspa - and storage, it will also encompass all gen - commitment to BGGC, I’m happy to see pers, news websites and local TV, who eral maintenance on trailers vehicles etc. Jake Brattle elected on to the BGGC com - sent a film crew. Planning permission is being sought. mittee. Hopefully this will serve to Most police forces now seem to be Full plans and overall approval are still strengthen relationships between the using Facebook, primarily for general in - awaited, and are partly dependent on the clubs. formation, appeals for witnesses, etc al - success or otherwise of a bid for a grant With that I leave the new committee to though others appear to use it to report any which is in the process of being prepared. keep things pushing forward under the di - incident that they deem to be newsworthy. These pages will be monitored by the The BGA review of Accidents rection of new president Jake Brattle. in 2013 has been published. Unlocked air - Good luck, you’ll do great! media and, as a result, incidents that you might consider non-newsworthy may at - brakes, unlocked canopies and even in - Jimmy young completely rigged gliders are a real issue. BUGC President 2013/2014 tract media interest out of all proportion to the incident itself. There were three tug upsets last year. Therefore, the BGA advises that clubs Too many training flights took place in 100 up for sale have a statement ready covering any re - inappropriate weather. CFIs have been mailed bulk copies of the review; please SZD 55 Competition number100 is portable incident and that, following any such incident, that you remind members to ask for one or download a copy from for sale. Asking price is c £19,500. www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/documents/ac Please see richard or Gill Starling. direct any media inquiries to your club’s nominated spokesperson. cidentreview2013web.pdf

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