News and Notices - Pilot & Club Info

FAI launches International Day of Air Sport

Peter Stratten — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:30:30 +0000

The FAI, the World Air Sports Federation, has announced the launch of the “International Day of Air Sports”, to be celebrated annually on 14 October from 2026 onwards. This new global initiative aims to bring together the air sports community worldwide in a coordinated celebration.

Across the world, individuals, clubs, and organisations will be invited to organise local initiatives and events, forming a shared celebration both in real life and across social media.

You can read more here.

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40th FAI World Gliding Championships underway!

Peter Stratten — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:59:14 +0000

The 40th FAI World Gliding Championships for the Open, 18 Metre and 20 Metre Multi-seat classes is underway at Rudniki airfield near Częstochowa, in southern Poland and ends on the 30 May 2026.

You can view the results day by day here.

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European Gliding Championships 11-25 July 2026

Peter Stratten — Thu, 14 May 2026 14:04:34 +0000

The 2026 European Gliding Championships (EGC) will take place six weeks after the World Gliding Championships, in Ostrów Wielkopolski in western Poland. This event is the premier continental competition for European pilots and focuses on the Club, Standard, and 15 metre glider classes, which are not flown at the World Championships in Częstochowa.

The EGC is held every two years and attracts a highly competitive field of pilots from across Europe.

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FAI Prince Alvaro de Orleans-Borbon Grant 2026

Peter Stratten — Thu, 14 May 2026 13:52:20 +0000

Nominations for the FAI Prince Alvaro de Orleans-Borbon Grant 2026 are currently open until 30 June 2026.

The grant awards CHF 20,000 to a person or organisation supporting research, development, and innovation in air sports.

In 2026, particular focus is given to innovations related to simulated flying and aviation-related digital or virtual environments (including esports). Projects may include technological developments, training tools, competitive formats, platforms, systems, or other innovations enhancing the practice, accessibility, visibility, or safety of air sports.

Additional consideration will be given to projects with widely accessible outcomes, especially those supporting youth participation, student capability, or broader public visibility.

The grant will be awarded on 14 October 2026, on the International Day of Air Sports, during the 120th FAI General Conference in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Further details and the official nomination form are available on the dedicated Grant webpage – https://www.fai.org/alvaro-de-orleans-borbon-grant.

Nominations may be submitted by:

Scientific and/or academic bodies
FAI Members
FAI Executive Board members
FAI Commission Presidents

The BGA can assist an individual in connecting with a nominating body.

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Sailplane GP at Lasham – coming soon!

Peter Stratten — Wed, 13 May 2026 19:03:40 +0000

Three weeks to go until the Sailplane Grand Prix arrives in the UK.

The Grand Prix always brings together some of the best pilots, aircraft and competition flying – join the fun at Lasham or watch online!

The Lasham SGP is supported by some great sponsors including for daily winners and overall winners prizes.

Lasham Southern Aero Supplies Vertigo Covers IMI Sydney Charles Insurance Skysight Smart Garden FlightStack

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Restriction of Flying – Saltby 22-25 May

Peter Stratten — Fri, 08 May 2026 13:07:54 +0000

A restriction of flying has been notified for an aerobatic competition at Saltby on the 22-25 May 2026.

You can read the detail in AIC M 040/2026 here.

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Flying in gliding competitions

Peter Stratten — Thu, 07 May 2026 13:26:07 +0000

The BGA publication ‘Managing flying risk – flying in gliding competitions’ is useful reading for any cross-country pilot.

You can view the webpage here.

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Vanoise National Park

Peter Stratten — Fri, 01 May 2026 20:22:15 +0000

We have been asked to pass on to UK pilots who are flying or intend to fly in the S French Alps important information supplied by the FFVP regarding soaring in the Vanoise National Park.

You can read the information here (which has been reformatted from an email).

Further details should be obtained locally.

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Another new UK record!

Peter Stratten — Fri, 01 May 2026 14:25:39 +0000

We’re delighted to highlight that on 19th April 2026 Jan McCoshim flying an LS8-18 (15m) launched from Dunstable set a new UK feminine Open, 20m, 15m and Standard Class 200km triangle speed record at 107.85kmh.

The previous records in all classes were 104.94km/h set by the late Kay Draper in August 2014.

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Proposed Airworthiness Directive – Grob 109 TMG

Peter Stratten — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:45:13 +0000

EASA have issued a Proposed Airworthiness Directive on the Grob 109 TMG.

You can view the proposed AD here https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/26-057

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