Sailplane & Gliding 1963 - Lakes Gliding Club

The Flying Committee examined and
approved the Rules and Marking System
for the National Championships, and for
nine Regional ·Competitions, namely the
Norfolk Easter Rally, Lasham Spring
Rally, Bicesler R.A.F.G.S.A. Rally, the
Midland Easter Rally, the Western Rally,
tbe Northern Rally, West of England
Rally, Bicester August Rally, and the
R.A.F. Rally at Geilenkirchen.
The Flying Committee was also responsible
for the Pilots' Rating System,
which was put into operation for the first
time. This year it had to be adjusted to
take into account the Easter Rallies as
was agreed by Council.
During the year the experience gained
on the markings of the Rallies suggested
certain variations, which were tested and
worked out to compare with tbe original
system. Council has decided to contim~e
with the original system to operate 10
1963 and at the same time arrange to
have a general discussion at the A.G.M.
to test the feelings of the members with
regard to altering the system during
1963 to come into eff;:;ct for 1964.
The Rating System seems to have
caused a considerable expansion of interest
in competition flying, as is shown
by the number of rated pilots having
increased by over 50 per cent.
The Committee examined aDd discussed
two variations of the badge requirements,
both of which were turned
down. It discussed and made recommendations
on the proposed variations to
be introduced by the C.V.S.M. and it has
recommended to the Council to protest.
strongly against the variations that have
now been introduced.
A further recommendation was put to
Council that mementos should be given
to 'all National Champions since the
Championships were in~roduced, either
in the form of a medallion or small replica
cup.
Queries on claims for badges were
examined and pronounced upon and
claims for records dealt with. An unusually
large number of letters 0!1 rating,
marking and rules, etc. were received and
dealt with, and as far as we know everyone
eventually was reasonably satisfied
that their queries were fairly treated.
Membership .
During the year the Northumbna Club
was elected to Associate Membership.
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Membership is now:
21 Full Clubs.
29 Associate Clubs.
3 Overseas Associate Clubs.
106 Private Owner Groups.
37 Individual Members.
Operations
Civilian clubs flew a total of 30,546
hours from club sites involving 162,998
launches.
The club aircraft increased in number
from 165 in 1961 to 176 in 1962, with an
increase in privately-owned aircraft from
124 to 145.
The R.A.F.G.S.A. flew 7,249 hours
from 54,706 launches, and the results of
three of the R.N.G.S.A. clubs showed
590 hOUTS and 5,598 launches.
Gliding Certificates were issued as follows
(1961 figures in brackets):
A and B endorsements 762 (651)
C endorsements ... 478 (410)
Silver C 105 (111)
Gold C 9 (20)
Gold C plus 3 Diamonds 2 (3)
These were made up as follows:
Endorsements Civilian Service
A and B 484 218
C 3ID la
O.s.T.I.V.
Members of the B.G.A. have continued
to play an active part in the work of the
International Scientific and Technical
Organisation for Gliding. The monthly
technical section in Swiss Aero Revue
has continued to be edited by .. Bev "
Shenstone and has published papers presented
at the 1960 Congress in Cologne,
together with data sheets of the latest
world's sailplanes. The latter have been
collected in attractive book form as "The
World's Sailplanes n" published in February,
1963, 21s. to Osnv membc:rs,
28s. 6d. to non-members, and available
from the London Gliding Club, 22 Half
Moon Street, London, W.!., and the
British Gliding Association, Artillery
Mansions, 75 Victoria Street, London,
S.W.I.
.. The World's Sailplanes ", Volume I.
which has been out of print for some
time, has been reprinted and is available
from the above address a1 1Os. 1.0
OSTlV members and 12s. to non-members.
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The OSTIV .. Airworthiness Requlre-