communication

In our wonderful world of gliding, the relationship between P1 and P2 is more than just a division in roles; it’s somewhat of a psychological contract. We’ve all been there: you’re established in a reliable 4-knot climb, and your offsider suggests leaving it to chase a wispy puff of cloud three miles off-course. Your instinct? A polite (or perhaps blunt) "No."

However, there is a strategic art to CRM

In the first article, I spoke about the power of Communication and how clarity and connection shape every moment of our flying experience. In the second of this five-part series, we now dive into Trust: the invisible lift beneath every wing. Trust is the natural extension of strong communication and the heartbeat of safe, confident flying. This article explores how trust transforms teams, anchors

Welcome to the first installment of my five-part series on ‘Core Values’ in the gliding environment. I’d like to start with Communication, the foundation upon which every safe flight, successful launch, and effective team interaction is built upon. Before we explore the deeper layers of teamwork and personal excellence, we start here, because great communication is the spark that ignites trust, care,

In any gliding operation, whether it's at your club or at a competition, clear communication is essential for both safety and harmony amongst one another. However, keep in mind that the timing is just as important as the message itself. One of the best management practices that I’ve learnt over the years is to never bring up an argument or criticism with a pilot until after they’ve landed. It

In the world of soaring, a “gaggle” refers to a group of gliders circling together in the same thermal. These (sometimes) spontaneous gatherings are a common sight during competitions and cross-country flights, where pilots converge on lift to gain altitude. While gaggles can be highly effective for climbing, they also introduce complexity and risk, albeit manageable. Practicing good gaggle etiquette

Experiencing an inflight emergency or a near miss while in your glider can be a harrowing ordeal, it’ll likely trigger the startle effect. The startle effect, which is also known as the startle response or the sudden onset of intense fear, can significantly impair a pilot's ability to effectively respond to the situation at hand. Understanding the startle effect and knowing how to mitigate its impact

Gliding is a thrilling sport, we all know it, it’s a sport that allows pilots to navigate the skies using only the natural forces of Mother Nature. However, like any aviation activity, gliding comes with inherent risks. To mitigate these risks and ensure the safety of pilots, passengers & ground crew, the principles of Crew Resource Management (CRM) can be effectively applied.

CRM originated in the

Soaring such as ours, which includes hang gliding, paragliding, and aerobatics, requires not only physical skill but also a robust mental approach to extract the best performance out of the day, competition, and general day-to-day flying. Psychology within our sport, plays a crucial role in both the pilot's performance and overall safety. Understanding and harnessing the mental aspects of soaring the

Gliding Resource Management

Used primarily for improving safety, GRM focuses on interpersonal communication, leadership, and decision making on the ground and in the air to ensure the best possible outcomes. It is a set of training procedures for use in environments where human error can have devastating effects. GRM can come into play to foster better friendships, improving the club atmosphere where