Safety Information

Here is a library of worthwhile articles on the general theme of safety.  Some articles describe rules, practices and procedures that have been proven to increase safety margins.  You may have reached this page by clicking on a link in the Training Programme.  There is also a series of brief Gliding NZ Ops Team Safety Bulletins here and CAA Safety Initiatives here.

1. Pilot ageing

“The Ageing Pilot” is from the CAA’s Vector magazine.

“Risk-taking, Stress and Aging” was presented by Penny Mackay at the GNZ Annual Conference 2012.

“Don’t let AMD Stop You Flying High” was written by Sally Perkins, content manager for a senior care site.

“The Senior Pilot” is from the CAA’s Vector magazine.

“Cognitive Decline in Aging Pilots” was presented by David Moody at the GNZ Annual Conference 2023.

2. Dehydration, nutrition, hypoxia and air sickness

“Need a Drink?” is from the CAA’s Vector magazine.

“A contrary view to the one that only water should be taken during long flights” is from Gliding Kiwi magazine.

“Dehydrated?” is from SoaringNZ magazine.

“Nutrition, Dehydration, Hypoxia and Recovery” is from the GFA.

“Air Sickness” is from SoaringNZ magazine.

3.Decision making

“One Bad Decision Leads to Another” is from SoaringNZ magazine.

“Complacency : What Me Worry?” is from SoaringNZ magazine.

“Paddock Landing Decisions” is from SoaringNZ magazine.

“Get-there-itis” is from the CAA’s Vector magazine.

4. TEM (Threat & error management)

This three-part series is from SoaringNZ magazine. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

“Do we know what we don’t know?” is from Plane & Pilot magazine.

5. Accidents

“Reporting Occurrences” is from the CAA’s Vector magazine.

“Common Factors in Accidents” is from the GFA.

“Safety Briefing – Accident Review 2016” is from the BGA.

6. Competition Safety

“Gliding and Vision” is from the GFA.

“Lookout for Glider Pilots” is from the GFA.

“Joining Thermals” is from the GFA.

“Parachute Deployment” is from the Lake Keepit Soaring Club.

“Bailout” is from the GFA.

“Final-Glide Planning” is from the GFA.

7. Ridge and Mountain Flying

“Ten Traps in Ridge Flying” is a compilation of lessons learned from NZ fatal accidents.

“Safety in Mountain Flying” is from the French National Gliding Centre (CNVV).

8. Launching

“Safe Winch Launching” is from the BGA.

“Safe Aerotowing” is from the BGA.

“10 Towing Tips” is by Roger Read, Canterbury Gliding Club.

9. Human Factors

These 3 PowerPoint presentations are from the GFA – Introduction & overview to HF on gliding – Club culture & reporting – Vision & Fatigue

“Human Factors and Aviation Medicine for Glider Pilots” is by Jonathan Pote, Aviation Sports Club Whenuapai.

10. Airworthiness

“Is Your Glider Fit for Flight?” is from the BGA.

“Flying the ASH-25” by Stan Nelson is about the handling problems of “big-wing” gliders regarding spins and spiral dives.