Glider Pilots of PPRuNe
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Just seen this thread -
Current Glider pilot, Gold C, 1 Diamond, ex Instructor, ex Junior Nationals regular, ex private owner, current tuggy....
and a fellow Southdown member :-)
FB
Current Glider pilot, Gold C, 1 Diamond, ex Instructor, ex Junior Nationals regular, ex private owner, current tuggy....
and a fellow Southdown member :-)
FB
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As for the BGA, it strikes me - in recent years at least - as by far the most sensible, effective and professional of the sport organizations that I know, and is doing an excellent job of keeping our sport as free from external control and bureaucracy as possible.
Past Chairman (2000-2006) BGA!
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I also feel that some of the petty restrictions do not make for safer flying - the AAIB investigate GA incidents and publish them for others to learn from. The BGA do not.
It's password protected for some reason, but the AAIB website gives the username and password..
Air Accidents Investigation: Links
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The system for major glider accident investigation was changed two or three years ago. There are now three kinds of accident investigation.
As I understand it, fatal or very serious non-fatal accidents are now investigated by the AAIB, and the AAIB reports are filed by them and are accessible via their website. (Previously, some of them were handled by BGA accident investigators, under delegation from the AAIB. In order to maintain consistent handling, and satisfy coroners that the same degree of professionalism was applicable with gliding fatalities as with GA accidents, that delegation stopped. The AAIB teams today will however often have a gliding specialist to assist them if they deem it necessary or helpful.)
If it is not sufficiently serious for the AAIB to wish to be involved, there is a BGA accident investigation team which looks at the initial report from a club, and decides whether to do their own investigation or leave it to the club safety officer etc. I believe only a small percentage of such accidents are now investigated by the BGA accident investigators.
The vast majority of minor accidents are reported by clubs to the BGA using a standardised form, augmented by various witness statements etc. Just as the AAIB does not publish individual witness statements, only the resulting report after they have completed their investigation and summarise what they choose to make public, the BGA does not make public the individual witness statements etc. from these minor accidents, nor the personal details which are revealed on the accident report forms. All these details are seen only by those who need to see them.
Summaries of all accidents are published in Sailplane and Gliding.
As I understand it, the accident summaries visible via the AAIB website (Oversteer’s reference) include all, and are more detailed than those published in Sailplane and Gliding. I believe they are summarised by one of the BGA people for that purpose.
Chris N.
(Edited to add last paragraph)
As I understand it, fatal or very serious non-fatal accidents are now investigated by the AAIB, and the AAIB reports are filed by them and are accessible via their website. (Previously, some of them were handled by BGA accident investigators, under delegation from the AAIB. In order to maintain consistent handling, and satisfy coroners that the same degree of professionalism was applicable with gliding fatalities as with GA accidents, that delegation stopped. The AAIB teams today will however often have a gliding specialist to assist them if they deem it necessary or helpful.)
If it is not sufficiently serious for the AAIB to wish to be involved, there is a BGA accident investigation team which looks at the initial report from a club, and decides whether to do their own investigation or leave it to the club safety officer etc. I believe only a small percentage of such accidents are now investigated by the BGA accident investigators.
The vast majority of minor accidents are reported by clubs to the BGA using a standardised form, augmented by various witness statements etc. Just as the AAIB does not publish individual witness statements, only the resulting report after they have completed their investigation and summarise what they choose to make public, the BGA does not make public the individual witness statements etc. from these minor accidents, nor the personal details which are revealed on the accident report forms. All these details are seen only by those who need to see them.
Summaries of all accidents are published in Sailplane and Gliding.
As I understand it, the accident summaries visible via the AAIB website (Oversteer’s reference) include all, and are more detailed than those published in Sailplane and Gliding. I believe they are summarised by one of the BGA people for that purpose.
Chris N.
(Edited to add last paragraph)
Last edited by chrisN; 17th Feb 2009 at 11:19.
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Silver-C, ex tuggie.
Good to see all the thermal-junkies here. What a shame we can't have our own little corner on the forum, as somebody stated earlier. Was any reason given?
Good to see all the thermal-junkies here. What a shame we can't have our own little corner on the forum, as somebody stated earlier. Was any reason given?
Silver C 150 hrs.
Not flown Gliders since 1998.
Used to fly at Humber Gliding Club when it was at Lindholm near the then RAF Finningley, then moved the Club to RAF Scampton where i last flew from.
Have flown from Sutton Bank, Cosford, Perranporth & Syerston.
Brother still flies as a ful cat Inst down south Known as CIV (Alan Marshall)
That's him there in the early 1990's
Now thinking of going for my PPL if i don't get made redundant soon.
Some of my Gliding photo's can be seen here;
Gliding. :: Fotopic.Net
Cheers Trevor Marshall
Not flown Gliders since 1998.
Used to fly at Humber Gliding Club when it was at Lindholm near the then RAF Finningley, then moved the Club to RAF Scampton where i last flew from.
Have flown from Sutton Bank, Cosford, Perranporth & Syerston.
Brother still flies as a ful cat Inst down south Known as CIV (Alan Marshall)
That's him there in the early 1990's
Now thinking of going for my PPL if i don't get made redundant soon.
Some of my Gliding photo's can be seen here;
Gliding. :: Fotopic.Net
Cheers Trevor Marshall
Last edited by 7of9; 1st Mar 2009 at 15:20.
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Glider pilots on PPRUNE
Had a glider flight at St Athan in 1956 pilot Doug Bridson, 6 flights on a duff gliding holiday at Withybush in 1968 then took up gliding properly in 1969 at the RAE Farnborough.
Since then I have not looked back, now got 4000+hrs gliding, 400+hrs PPL, Diamond Badge complete, Full Cat instructor, shares in an ASH25 and a Kestrel 20, fly Robin DR400, Super Cub & Pawnee tugs + Super Falke and Grob 109 Motor Gliders and now fly at Lasham.
This fascinating hobby (obsession!) has taken me to fly gliders in Australia, New Zealand, Spain and France. Yet I did all of my badge flights in the U/K.
It has been brilliant!!
Cheers.
Mick.
Since then I have not looked back, now got 4000+hrs gliding, 400+hrs PPL, Diamond Badge complete, Full Cat instructor, shares in an ASH25 and a Kestrel 20, fly Robin DR400, Super Cub & Pawnee tugs + Super Falke and Grob 109 Motor Gliders and now fly at Lasham.
This fascinating hobby (obsession!) has taken me to fly gliders in Australia, New Zealand, Spain and France. Yet I did all of my badge flights in the U/K.
It has been brilliant!!
Cheers.
Mick.
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that photo bought back memories.
knew gash civ really well - great character and always at his happiest when moaning!
other chap is malcolm billany who was a c cat instructor with the ATC and a nicer man you couldn't hope to meet.
i would agree with a lot of the previous posters - gliding gives levels of fun, challenge and excitement that you just dont get from other forms of aviation - enjoyable as they may be.
knew gash civ really well - great character and always at his happiest when moaning!
other chap is malcolm billany who was a c cat instructor with the ATC and a nicer man you couldn't hope to meet.
i would agree with a lot of the previous posters - gliding gives levels of fun, challenge and excitement that you just dont get from other forms of aviation - enjoyable as they may be.
Yes thats him, always happiest when Moaning.......... I should know being his brother, the photo was taken at Cosford i believe as that's where i was given it.......
Trev
Trev
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reply to thermick
Hey, you sound like my kind of guy! how about a date?
I started flying gliders at Booker in 1983, went solo in 3 months, silver C following summer, PPL at Wycombe Scare Centre following winter, and never took a break, so now have 1,800 hours in gliders, Ass Cat Instructor (regional examiner said I was too careful to become a Full Cat). And l,200 hours in SELP, mostly tugging; holding US IR and seaplane rating. At Jack Brown's, in Florida.
Somebody sent me a SPORTING LICENCE from the FAI, now what kind of sporting do you suppose they have in mind?
I started flying gliders at Booker in 1983, went solo in 3 months, silver C following summer, PPL at Wycombe Scare Centre following winter, and never took a break, so now have 1,800 hours in gliders, Ass Cat Instructor (regional examiner said I was too careful to become a Full Cat). And l,200 hours in SELP, mostly tugging; holding US IR and seaplane rating. At Jack Brown's, in Florida.
Somebody sent me a SPORTING LICENCE from the FAI, now what kind of sporting do you suppose they have in mind?
That's one of the reasons why I dropped out - I can take anyone up as a passenger in a light aircraft without asking permission but not in a glider despite having a Bronze C and several hundred glider flilghts.
That and the politics and the 'Dad's Army, Captain Mannering, attitude of so many of the officials who saw gliding more as an arena for egos rather than a way to enjoy one of the purest forms of flying. I also feel that some of the petty restrictions do not make for safer flying - the AAIB investigate GA incidents and publish them for others to learn from. The BGA do not.
If I could find a simple, reasonably basic gliding club flying K13s or other tube and fabric glliders, that was for enthusiasts and didn't cost too much then I'd join!
That and the politics and the 'Dad's Army, Captain Mannering, attitude of so many of the officials who saw gliding more as an arena for egos rather than a way to enjoy one of the purest forms of flying. I also feel that some of the petty restrictions do not make for safer flying - the AAIB investigate GA incidents and publish them for others to learn from. The BGA do not.
If I could find a simple, reasonably basic gliding club flying K13s or other tube and fabric glliders, that was for enthusiasts and didn't cost too much then I'd join!
Sadly how right you are!!
I'm amazed there are not more private gliders operated outside of the club scene. Lots of people seem to feel the way we do but it doesn't seem to progress.
It was one of the main reasons why I packed it in. I had (well still have I suppose) a Silver C, and a BI rating
Correct me if I'm out of date but I think there is still no legal requirement for a licence. Providing somebody has the correct paperwork for the fitting of a tow release on their Piper or whatever, there is nothing to stop them towing me in a glider from their farm strip.
Obviously, being sensible, I would want some refresher lessons with a current instructor but how nice it would be to find a setup like this.
Again, does a K13 (say) need a G-XXXX reg these days or is this only gliders newer than a certain date?
Also, what about a C of A.
It would be good........
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http://www.easa.europa.eu/ws_prod/c/...5-Feb-2008.pdf
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Laws and Rules (2008) states:
7.5 Before carrying a club member in a glider, the pilot in charge must be authorised by his CFI and hold a Bronze badge or higher certificate and have at least 50 hours P1 on gliders.
Beyond that it's up to the individual CFI. In theory you are qualified to take passengers, but at the very least I expect the CFI would insist you are in current flying practise for the type of launch to be undertaken. To let your passenger have the front seat (the one with the good view!) you would almost certainly need an Instructor rating.
EASA Pilot Licensing will cause some changes, but it's not clear yet what those will be.
Beyond that it's up to the individual CFI. In theory you are qualified to take passengers, but at the very least I expect the CFI would insist you are in current flying practise for the type of launch to be undertaken. To let your passenger have the front seat (the one with the good view!) you would almost certainly need an Instructor rating.
EASA Pilot Licensing will cause some changes, but it's not clear yet what those will be.
Laws and Rules (2008) states:
7.5 Before carrying a club member in a glider, the pilot in charge must be authorised by his CFI and hold a Bronze badge or higher certificate and have at least 50 hours P1 on gliders.
Beyond that it's up to the individual CFI. In theory you are qualified to take passengers, but at the very least I expect the CFI would insist you are in current flying practise for the type of launch to be undertaken. To let your passenger have the front seat (the one with the good view!) you would almost certainly need an Instructor rating.
What about if you buy your own glider and get towed up from your friend's farm strip?
Apart from the catch all of "endangering person or property with an aircraft" etc. I think I'm right in saying you don't need any certificate or anybody's permission.
I know that may change in the future.....
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outside BGA
I do remember years ago hearing of some guys who used to fly off a hill using bungy launch - not as part of BGA. I think it was some where on the south coast.
If you can self operate a light aircraft from a farmers field, then why not a glider?
If you can self operate a light aircraft from a farmers field, then why not a glider?
I think there is little doubt you can do this (at the moment!), it just seems strange that it hardly ever seems to happen!
I'm not in any way "anti" BGA clubs as such, I used to be a very active member of one and a regular visitor to several others. However there are a significant number of people who drop out for the reasons given by several posters on this thread. I'm one of them!
I could spend the next hour describing the frustrations that made me walk away but, to be honest, you will have heard them all before. I would much rather look forward and explore possibilities for getting going again in an setup that would suit me.
I'm not in any way "anti" BGA clubs as such, I used to be a very active member of one and a regular visitor to several others. However there are a significant number of people who drop out for the reasons given by several posters on this thread. I'm one of them!
I could spend the next hour describing the frustrations that made me walk away but, to be honest, you will have heard them all before. I would much rather look forward and explore possibilities for getting going again in an setup that would suit me.