20 December 2004
Former British Midland training captain Tony Smallwood has made history in Thailand by importing the nations first glider from the UK.
He specifically needed a 2 seat all-metal glider such as a Blanik due the climate and termites!
G-ATRA, an all metal L13 two seat sailplane was built in 1966 and was operated for many years by the Coventry Gliding Club at Husbands Bosworth. It was flying regularly with the 8 Balls Gliding Club at Shipdam until the day when it left the UK.
Sharing the same shipping container from Gamston to Bangkok was Piper Super Cub G-GCUB. This will be used as a tug for the Blanik.
Built in 1963, the Cub was initially purchased by the Swedish military as a light trainer and subsequently operated as a glider tug for a Swedish gliding club.
In 1997 the aircraft was bought by Neil Morgan, brought to Gamston and joined the UK register as G-GCUB.
With a new Thai C of A it has been registered as HS-JUL.
The Blanik has a temporary permit for test flying as HS-OAR.
Discussions are underway with the Thai Department of Aviation to establish how to operate and licence the kingdoms first glider operation.
