Craig Vinall
Chair Soaring Development Panel
We are looking forward to the upcoming season with both National and State competitions from October through to February. It is pleasing to see the extent of interest in the Leeton Multiclass Nationals. Entries are now on a waitlist, and each class has sufficient entries to ensure no combined classes – a first for a long time. The Two Seat and Club Class Nationals in Kingaroy in October are still looking for entries, so now is the time to decide. Please see www.kingaroysoaring.com.au/club-2seat-nationals25. Thanks to all competition pilots who are supporting these events.
Also, congratulations to all of our Australian pilots and team members who competed at the recent 39th World Gliding Championships in the Czech Republic. We had some very creditable performances including Mathew Scutter finishing 4th in 15m Class and James Nugent finishing 5th in Club Class.
Updated documents
Updates have been made to several documents that competitors will need to be aware of for the upcoming season. They include the International Team Selection Policy document SDP030, Soaring Development Fund Policy SDP002, Australian National Rules SDP010 and two new documents - International Team Five Year Plan SDP031 and Coach Rating and Credentials Procedure SDP063. These documents have been or will soon be published on the Gliding Australia’s website.
Important changes include pilot selection criteria that a 60% score can now only be taken from an Australian Nationals competition in the class for which selection is sought. 40% selection competitions can still include appropriately ranked overseas competitions. The five year schedule for World Championships has now been moved into a separate document and we have revised and updated the Soaring Development Fund Document. As a reminder, all National and State Championships are subject to the pilot competition levy. This needs to be included in any competition budget.
The Australian National Rules have been updated to include procedures for the new distance handicapped tasking as well as clarifying the previous intent of handicap adjustments for aircraft flying up a class in fully subscribed classes.
Please review these documents prior to the upcoming season.
Nominations for SDP Positions
In accordance with MOSP 4, each year, prior to the Gliding Australia Annual General Meeting, the following positions are made vacant and nominations are sought from the general membership:
- Chair of the Soaring Development Panel
- Deputy Chair of the Soaring Development Panel
- International Teams Manager
- National Coaching Manager
- FAI Coordinator
- IGC Representative
- Chair of the NCC
Miles Gore Brown has indicated that he wishes to step down early as the International Teams Manager and I am pleased to announce that Ray Stewart has been nominated for that role and will be endorsed at the upcoming Board meeting. All other positions are available for nomination.
Also, MOSP 4 requires that every two years, nominations will be called for at least half of the National Competitions Committee (NCC) from all Australian Competition pilots. This process has not been undertaken since the Covid period and so it is time to do so. Accordingly, three vacancies need to be filled for the NCC.
Any member having an interest in these positions is encouraged to nominate themselves. Please contact me at
Junior Development
As part of our junior development efforts leading up to the Junior Worlds at Lake Keepit in January 2029, Gliding Australia continues to make funds available for junior coaching. This includes contributions to glider hire, tow fees and accommodation.
A principal focus of junior coaching will continue to be Joey Glide, but coaching for juniors may be made available for other coaching events as well. Please contact me if you have any questions about funding for other junior coaching events.
We are keen to give every eligible junior the assistance they need to be part of the team for the Junior Worlds with a view to selecting a junior training squad.
Updating online Australian Records information
Many thanks to Sharon Brunton and her team for bringing the gliding records up to date. Please take a look at https://glidingaustralia.org/records to see current record holders and recent record claims.
