Scottish Gliding Union Explained

The Scottish Gliding Union (also known as the Scottish Gliding Centre) is the largest gliding club in Scotland. The body is based at Portmoak Airfield, Scotlandwell, KY13 9JJ.

Aircraft

The Scottish Gliding Union's fleet currently consists of:

• 2 Aeropro Eurofox tug aircraft (G-OSGU and G-OSGC)
• 3 Schleicher ASK 21 training gliders (G-CLOV “LOV,” G-OWAI “WA1” and “HPV”)
• 3 SZD-51 Junior single-seat gliders (“HHD,” “FFY” and “FUS”)
• 1 Allstar SZD-54 Perkoz glider (“LZS”)

^[1]

Accidents

Tug aircraft overturned during landing

On 21 December 2020, G-OSGC, an Aeropro Eurofox tug aircraft operated by the Scottish Gliding Union was overturned during landing after providing its 5^th aerotow of the day.

The aircraft was reportedly overturned due to soft terrain which caused it to “rapidly decelerate” before becoming inverted. ^[2]

There were no injuries and the aircraft has returned to service.

Glider crash during winch launch

On 4 September 2012, a Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-3 glider, G-EENN, piloted by a 49-year-old off-duty air traffic controller crashed at Portmoak Airfield during a winch-launch after the pilot did not release the launch cable during a “wing-drop”.

After the aircraft's wing touched the ground, the aircraft cartwheeled down the airfield, fatally injuring the pilot. ^[3]

The British Gliding Association advises that pilots should immediately release from the launch cable if they cannot keep their aircraft's wings level. ^[4]

External links

• Scottish Gliding Centre
• Scottish Gliding Union Ltd - Young Persons Protection Policy

Notes and References

1. Web site: aircraft:start [Portmoak Pilot's Information and Airfield Manual] ]. 2023-06-19 . pilots.scottishglidingcentre.co.uk.
2. Web site: Incident Aeropro Eurofox 912(S) G-OSGC, 21 Dec 2020 . 2023-06-19 . aviation-safety.net.
3. Web site: Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-3 glider, G-EENN, 4 September 2012 . 2023-06-19 . GOV.UK . en.
4. Web site: Managing Flying Risk - Winch launching . 2023-06-19 . Pilot & Club Info.