August 2025 (1st–3rd)
If Saltby showed progress, August was the breakthrough. Late on Friday evening, Guy Westgate arrived towing the Fox—newly refinished in a striking livery honouring his brother Richard. Alongside him was Graham Saw, committing to join all remaining camps through 2025 and into 2026.
With good evening weather, Luca kindly stayed late to tow us. Laura and Neil both took flights in the Fox before it was trestled for the night, followed by a late dinner and debrief.Over the weekend, the Fox became the focus. Its role was twofold: to give squad members the experience needed to transition safely to the SZD-59 when it arrived, and to provide advanced-level coaching. By the end, almost everyone had been cleared to fly the SZD-59—with some figure and family limitations in place. Neil was authorised for all Sports plus
rolling figures, covering Intermediate sequences; Laura, Phil, and Alex were cleared for all Sports (minus stall turns and quarter-clovers) with rolling.
While Guy conducted familiarisation and check flights in the Fox, Graham worked intensively with others in the Perkoz, focusing on Intermediate and Advanced figures to maximise flying time.
Poor weather loomed on Sunday, so Saturday ran late, with flying stretching into the evening before the Fox was carefully de-rigged. Most importantly, this was the first time the entire squad came together in one place. Seeing everyone united, training side by side with world-class coaching and a world-class glider, brought home just how far we had come—and how much further we could still go on the road to Fayence.
Looking Ahead
With August behind us, the picture is becoming clearer. We now have a committed squad, experienced instructors, and the promise of high-performance gliders at our disposal. What once felt like a distant ambition has started to take real shape. The months ahead will bring new challenges. Logistics for WAGAC 2026 remain daunting: raising funds, securing aircraft, transporting them to France, and ensuring every pilot has the training and support to compete at their best. The estimated costs per pilot still weigh heavily, but with the Aerobatics Foundation, Born to Fly, and the collective determination of the team, we are building a structure that could sustain glider aerobatics in the UK long after Fayence.
On the flying side, the focus shifts to refining Intermediate and Advanced figures, expanding the pool of cleared pilots, and running through full competition sequences until they feel second nature. With Graham’s coaching, Guy’s Fox, and the imminent arrival of the SZD-59, the tools are in place. Now it is about discipline, resilience, and hours in the air.
Perhaps most encouraging is the spirit within the group. From long Zoom calls to dinners cooked together at the club, from early morning launches to late-night debriefs, a real team has formed. It is no longer just a collection of individual pilots chasing their own goals—it is a squad with a shared identity, one that wants to represent Britain with pride.
As we look toward the Nationals in September, the camps through winter, and the build-up into 2026, the sense of purpose is undeniable. We know the road will not be easy, but every camp, every discussion, and every small step brings us closer. Fayence may still be more than a year away, but for the British Glider Aerobatic Team, the journey has already begun in earnest.
This is not just preparation for a world championship. It is the building of a legacy—one that will hopefully inspire future generations of glider pilots to dream bigger, fly bolder, and believe that with enough determination, even the sky is not the limit.
