Scottish Gliding Association

Formed in 1986, it has negotiated written agreements with the National Air Traffic Service on procedures for entering controlled airspace; negotiated with the Cairngorm Partnership; operated the ASH 25 Scottish National Gliding Facility; sponsored pilots for competitions and competition training; sponsored individuals for instructor and inspector training; sponsored FLARM ground stations (tracking suitably equipped gliders in flight for competitions, and (yet to be needed) rescue coordination – i.e. knowing where to start looking if the glider does not return after a cross-country flight).

Discussions about founding an association "to advance the development of the sport nationally and also to act as a governing body for Scottish gliding clubs" were first held in a Temperance cafe in Falkirk in May 1931.

[1] The convenor of the meeting said that Scottish clubs felt out of touch with one another, despite "the British Gliding Association, who normally directed their airy destinies, but in such spasmodic and distant manner as to support a legendary body".

[9] The same year the organisation became an incorporated limited company; at that meeting a speaker said that "there never was a time when it was more important for the people of this country to acquire some working knowledge of the air.

[16] At this time the Association had nine clubs as members, which had all put money towards the purchase, costing £100,000; they had also received a grant from the Scottish Sports Council.