Brian flies at the Cotswold Gliding Club and shares his competition glider (an ASG29E) with his father and their syndicate partner. He also has a share in a Duo Discus, which as well as competing in Nationals is often used for a more relaxing and enjoyable experiences of encouraging junior pilots by flying with them as part of the UK gliding winter series.
RAeS Evening Lecture
Competition Gliding – Brian Birlison
Brian Birlison has been flying gliders since he was 13 years old, and a full category instructor since he was 20. He is a qualified Engineer, holding a degree in Aeromechanical Systems Engineering from Cranfield University. Brian has always worked in the Aerospace and Defence sector in Project/Programme Roles. Currently, Brian is the Risk Manager for QinetiQ Air & Space.
He started flying annual national competitions starting in the British Junior Nationals age 18, moving on to the Standard Class and more recently the 15, 18 & 20m Multi seater. He was the 2016 UK 18m national champion, having dragged his 6 week old daughter Florence and very understanding wife Estela along for the week. Brian flew for the first time in an international competition this summer, representing the UK at the European Championships. Not only does he fly National competitions but for the last 7 years, Brian has been Director at his home club for various National Gliding Competitions.
Brian flies at the Cotswold Gliding Club and shares his competition glider (an ASG29E) with his father and their syndicate partner. He also has a share in a Duo Discus, which as well as competing in Nationals is often used for a more relaxing and enjoyable experiences of encouraging junior pilots by flying with them as part of the UK gliding winter series.
Having been gliding for nearly as long as I can remember, you would have thought that it would have become totally normal what we do but the performance of modern sailplanes is nothing short of amazing. I would like to take the opportunity to share some of what we do and how glider racing is performed in the UK and some of the challenges that we face in an increasingly busy airspace and regulation.
VENUE
Lecture Hall
MOD Boscombe Down
Amesbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JF
17:00 – Tea and Coffee available
17:15 – Lecture Starts
For further details, contact our Lecture Secretary Sam Gibbons on 01980 664406.
All Welcome You do not need to be a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society to attend!
External members need to declare their intention to attend our lectures by emailing the Members Secretary (members@BoscombeDownRAeS.org) or by calling Peter Richards on on 01980 662536.
Are you pursuing CEng, IEng or EngTech status? Attendance at our lectures will help you meet your CPD requirements, and certificates of attendance will be provided!