Training

NSW Gliding instructor course

The NSW Gliding instructor course run at Narromine between 17-21 November 2025 was a test of energy, endurance and logistics, where perhaps the latter was the most challenging.I had responded to some strong pushes from keen, dynamic women pilots in two clubs. As a result, when…

When Good Instruction Meets Harsh Reality

Lessons in Managing Training By Christopher Thorpe Even the most experienced instructors can ﬁnd themselves in situations where sound intentions collide with the unforgiving realities of aerodynamics and human performance. But just as important, inexperienced instructors – newly…

Sophie Curio - Weather & Task Planning

Skysight CU Overview showing the forecast development of cumulus in the task area. Organised by the Rockettes, two-time Club Class Australian champion, Sophie Curio, gave a webinar about Weather Planning and Flight Preparation. In the webinar she described the planning process…

15-Year-Old Charlie Wheeler Soars Towards His First Solo with Glider Scholarship

Charlie Wheeler is one of three lucky recipients who received a glider pilot training scholarship thanks to the generosity of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots and Gliding Australia this year. The Honourable Company of Air Pilots' Education Trust offers a range of…

Achieving Goals at Narromine Coaching Week

Flying over the Warrumbungles on the last day of the course. By Sean Young The NSW Coaching Week welcomed 13 pilots and featured six coaches working in five dual-seat gliders. Serge Lauriou, the CFI of Bathurst Soaring Club, flew a lead-and-follow flight each day, which gave the…

Coaching with G Dale

G Dale with Jacob Bloom. By G Dale A long time ago, I followed John Williamson from the UK out to Benalla in search of a 750 diploma. John – a competition pilot, coach and the inventor of the John Willy calculator – had clearly realised that the best way to escape the British…

Flying the All-Electric AS 34 Me

By Bernard Eckey the Australian agent for Alexander Schleicher After two years of Covid travel restrictions, it was great to say ‘goodbye’ to winter in Australia and head off to see family and friends in Europe again. Of course, a visit to the Schleicher factory was another good…

Fly Like a Rock - With Water Ballast

By Dave ShorterThis article first appeared in Keep Soaring - LKSC and is reproduced with their kind permission. It’s a well established phenomenon that if you throw a feather, it won’t go far, but throw a rock with the same force and see how far it goes. And so it is with…

Training Systems Evolution Standardisation and Safety

By DREW MCKINNIE GLIDING AUSTRALIA SAFETY MANAGER Time flies! A decade ago, in mid 2012, I was a staff instructor on an Instructor Training Course at Bunyan NSW. It was a busy week, and I found myself flying with a talented young instructor candidate who had learned interstate.…

New Instructors Ready to Fly

Instructors and trainees at the Bathurst SC Instructors Training Course. In March and April and June Instructor Training courses were held at Canberra Gliding Club and Bathurst Soaring Club. Several new instructors are now ready to teach the next generation of glider pilots (of…

SAGA COACHING WEEK

By Craig Vinall, SAGA Soaring Development Manager This year’s SAGA Coaching Week at Waikerie was a great success, featuring 30 coaches and students flying in five twin seat and seven single single seat gliders, and benefiting from some outstanding weather. Several great…

Aero Towing out of Paddocks - Additions

Last month’s article on aerotowing out of paddocks had some useful practical information for glider pilots to consider when requesting an aerotow retrieve from a paddock. By Patrick BarfieldChair of the GFA Operations Panel It is worth pointing out that the GFA Aerotowing Manual…

Winning the Mental Battle in Gliding Part 7

In part 6 of this series of articles we already touched on the subject of concentration but now we will look into it a little deeper and investigate the link between concentration and stress. By Bernard Eckey Most of us have little trouble concentrating while the task at hand is…

Integrated Training Program (ITP)

Why has the training system been updated?The need for an Integrated Training Project (ITP), as well as the need to address various related isses, have been identified during the 2015, 2017 and 2019 GFA member surveys, evidence that our training system hasn’t been updated for…

Winning the mental battle in gliding (Part 6)

By Bernard Eckey In the previous five articles we have already looked at various proven methods of working on our mindset in order to improve our rate of success and enhance our enjoyment. Today we will expand on this topic and deal with decision-making as well as concentration.…

Aero Towing out of Paddocks

By James Cooper When pilots go through cross country endorsement, the outlanding check is conducted in a two-seater and the instructor usually heads for a large flat paddock that will be suitable for the exercise. This paddock is likely to be well known to the instructor and, in…

Winning the Mental Battle in Gliding Part 5

In part 4 of this series of articles we looked at various proven methods of eliminating ‘butterflies’ prior to venturing beyond the gliding range for the first time. By Bernard Eckey Today we will expand on this topic and deal with ‘Confidence and over-confidence’ as well as…

Thermal Structure

Over some years, I have considered my theories on the development of thermals and streets, as the two blend together, and they consistently appear to be proved correct. Most of the ideas are from my personal observations, but stem from a concept mentioned in Wallington’s Weather…

AWPA – Australian Women Pilots’ Association Scholarship and awards

The APWA offers a number of scholarships to learn how to fly and improve flying skills, for female fixed wing power pilots, as well as helicopter pilots and glider pilots of any age and experience level. Please check the website for more details:awpa.org.au/scholarships-awards…

Winning the mental battle Part 4

Although we have already delved into a few psychological aspects of gliding, so far we have only scratched the surface. This contribution is specifically tailored for up-and-coming cross country pilots. It deals with the mindset of budding and ambitious novices before they…

A Restorative Just Culture

By Sidney Dekker In the previous issue of this magazine, we looked at the typical way of thinking about a ‘just culture’, one where the line between what is acceptable and not acceptable is clear – which turned out to be anything but clear. Such a just culture is essentially…

Aero Towing out of Paddocks

By James Cooper When pilots go through cross country endorsement, the outlanding check is conducted in a two-seater and the instructor usually heads for a large flat paddock that will be suitable for the exercise. This paddock is likely to be well known to the instructor and, in…

Stress

I wonder how many times you have seen a pilot, competent or even highly competent, make a stupid mistake. Over many years of flying, I have seen accidents and incidents that fall into this category. By James Cooper Then of course, relatively inexperienced pilots can make what…

Training - Winning the mental battle in gliding Part 3

Winning the mental battle in gliding Part 3 By Bernard Eckey In part 2 of this series of articles we not only considered the advantages of thinking ahead but we also put mistakes and setbacks under the microscope. Today we will learn how we can polish our skills without being…

Winning the mental battle in gliding Part 2

Winning the mental battle in gliding Part 2 By Bernard Eckey In the last issue we looked into positive thinking and the importance of focussing on the task at hand. This time we will deal with two other vital mental skills. First, we will put ‘thinking ahead’ under the…

Thermal Sources

Thermal Sources By James Cooper Many years ago when reading Wallington’s Weather for Glider Pilots I noted the absolute concept of how thermals develop.a) The sun heats the ground.b) The ground heats the air in contact with the ground.c) The air does not immediately rise but is…

E Tug Update

E Tug Update By Michael Shirley The eTug Group Robert Pugh (GCV, Benalla) is claiming an Australian – and probably a World – record launch rate for a Piper Pawnee PA25, the workhorse tow plane of the Australian gliding movement.Robert has videoed a launch of an ASK-21, two-up,…

Winning the mental battle

Winning the Mental Battle By Bernard Eckey Part 1 If we want to enjoy our sport to the fullest and if we want to achieve our goals and ambitions, we are well advised to have a closer look at sports psychology. Few other sports demand a more intense and uninterrupted mental…

Cross Country Planning

Track line on map from Tocumwal to Mt Arthur. First aiming point is Berrigan township. From there, the bottom end of Lake Urana should be visible on a normal day. There is a straight road from Urana to Boree Creek. There is also a wheat silo on track on the Sturt Highway…

OGN The New World of Networked Gliding

Emerging technologies, the internet and projects including the Open Glider Network (OGN) glidernet.org are changing the very nature glider competitions around the world. In World Gliding Championships team flying and communication with ground crew is permitted and teams are…