New Committee.
Friday 3rd May
The Annual General meeting was held at Hertford College and a new commitee was elected. The last two years have seen the club virtually entirely run by Joel Scott-Halkes (LMH) and Chris Ballance (Hertford) who have a done a fantastic job of keeping OUGC in good shape. Sadly we have to wish Joel 'fairwell', who has had to move on for 'study' reasons, but happily we've retained Chris who now takes up his new job as Maintenance Officer. The new committee page has been updated with the new members whom we welcome and wish every success for the coming year.

OUGC is 75 this year.
A potted history.
Oxford University and City Gliding Club as it was then know, was started in May 1938 by Robert Kronfeld and Capt. Robert Sutherland Rattray at a field near Farmoor, now believed to be at the bottom of the Farmoor reservoir. Sadly, Capt. Rattray was killed a week later as the result of a flying accident. Since then the club is also believed to have relocated a couple of times to sites at Aston Rowant and Lewknor on the Chiltern ridge. At the outbreak of war in 1939 all sport flying was stopped in the UK. The club reformed after the cessation of hostilities in 1951 at Kidlington, before moving to Weston on the Green in 1956. Then in the early 1980's the 'University' and 'City' separated and Oxford University Gliding Club moved to RAF Bicester where we still reside today.

OUGC Pre- Solo Student Training Scheme bursary.
The Training Scheme bursary is intended to help supplement the costs of keen students pilots learning to fly gliders by helping to get them up to solo pilot standard. In essence, the rules of the scheme are that you must be a full time student at Oxford University or Oxford Brookes, That you are a fully paid up member of OUGC and that you have a minimum required standard of 20 flights, for qualification. The scheme is worth up to a maximum of £300 and is valid for one calendar year from the date of application, retrospectively paid into your flying account. For an application form and further details download an application form here.

2012 Royal Aero Club Bursaries
Applications for the 2012 Royal Aero Club Bursaries are now open.
These are available to young pilots, aged 16-21, who have already reached solo standard to enable them to achieve greater competence in their particular air sport. Bursaries of up to £1000 are available to help recipients advance from one recognized level of air sport to the next (for example, gain your bronze badge or XC endorsement). APPLICATIONS FOR 2012 BURSARIES HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE BGA. These need to be received at the BGA office 3rd March 2012. Full details are at http://www.royalaeroclubtrust.org.

Air League Gliding Scholarships.
Gliding scholarships offer the opportunity for solo glider pilots to broaden their flying experience. Depending on experience, the following awards are available at civilian gliding schools:

Aerobatic Training
4,000ft aero tows with instruction in basic aerobatic manoeuvres. The intention of this award is to enhance a scholars handling skills and provide an insight into the skills and flying discipline of competition aerobatics. If you want to improve your skills and have a lot of fun doing it, apply for an aerobatic scholarship.

Cross-Country Training
British Glider pilots continue to lead the world in glider racing. This award allows an insight into the complex, exciting world of racing sailplanes cross country. This scholarship is tailored to the individual's personal ability. Tuition takes the form of 2-seater flying around a cross country looking at the techniques and skills involved in racing sailplanes. This is consolidated with further two seater or single seater flying depending on your ability to ensure you progress to as high a level as possible. This scholarship typically takes a week to complete.

National Private Pilot's License (SLMG) Training
Gliding is a fantastic and affordable way to start a career in aviation. The handling skills gained as a glider pilot being second to none. As well as providing an insight to the world of silent flight, this award allows the opportunity to combine non-powered and powered flight. Training in a self launching motor glider (SLMG) you will learn how to operate a powered aircraft whilst understanding how to optimise the weather as a glider pilot. Flown from one of four sites in the UK, the course comprises of up to 32 hours flying (depending on previous experience). This award can lead to scholars achieving an SLMG National Private Pilot's Licence. See The Air League web site for details.

Information for Juniors at the British Gliding Association.