Everybody, do yourself a favor and watch this excellent series on YouTube. Each episode runs about 47 minutes. There are about 40 episodes. They mostly deal with airline crashes but gliders are very similar. The cause of almost all of them is pilot error - sometimes painful to watch errors. ...

From today's FAA Preliminary Accident/Incident Report... Were it not for the "Damage: Substantial" I'd be wondering if this wasn't simply a routine OFL; these sometimes appear, simply because if for any reason the FAA is notified in such cases, someone within the FAA necessarily has to file a...

Congrats Rick Indrebo and his ASW-27 for winning the Open Class Nationals.

Hi, Ramy (and others), I don't want to hijack the "Wide-Ranging Safety Discussion" thread, so I'm starting a new one. In the other thread, Ramy mentioned "rather than the all so lame reaction of 'waiting for the NTSB report'". I'm going to ask if you've ever been party to an NTSB...

I have removed the 1985 Komet trailer damper (shot) so I need to identify a new one. I have searched the old topic on and there is some good discussion but no identification of the replacement part source. Here are the markings I have: DDR 87 0007 09 and E10-303-220/50. Any help would be...

Hi, a few weeks ago we had some great WX here in WI, and I was flying with a friend and we got the Blanik up to 8000' MSL which (sadly) qualifies us for the State Two Seater Absulute Altitude and Altitude Gain records. Now the SC states that no declaration is required for altitude records...

ASK-13 Very nice condition. Contact: Tom Knauff

An open invite to all ASW-20 owners and pilots to join us this labor day (Sept. 1-3) weekend at Caesar Creek Soaring Club. Planning on informal one class sport comp, no handicap fun racing event at one of the countries most outstanding gliderports. No details yet, still planning but I will be...

Is there a difference between gas and an electric golf carts to tow gliders on the ground at a grass strip? (fuel and electricity are both available)? What would be the prefered motorisation if one was looking to get a used one for a club? Would an electric golf cart batteries last an afternoon at...

Much has been reported already here on R.A.S. concerning the tragic loss of Fred Blair, his daughter-in-law and grandson in a glider crash on June 17. As a Board member in the club involved (Greater Houston Soaring Association-GHSA), I have been asked by the NTSB not to comment or ...

The good news is - apparently - no bodily injuries... - - - - - - IDENTIFICATION Regis#: 505JL Make/Model: DG50 Description: DG-500M Date: 06/24/2012 Time: 1505 Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N Damage: Substantial

Sorry for posting here, but for some reason my reports to the SSA Website are going into the bit bucket. Hopefully, I'll have this sorted out by tomorrow: Our day started with the morning pilots meeting featuring commentary from yesterday's winners. As is becoming traditional, the speaches are...

Some developments in the last while with respect to sites dedicated to the pursuit of adventure soaring around the world. In South Africa Gariep Dam Airfield and it's facilities are now owned by Gunther von Versbach and operated by Gariep Dam Aviation. The new website is...

Check out the Day 1 results from Wurtsboro Region 2, where 6 mid-performance two seaters (The Bus Class) turned in some pretty respectable results. http://www.ssa.org/members/contestreports/ContestResultsFullDetail.asp?contestId=2190&ContestDetailId=6560&ContestName=Region+2+North For some...

The auto squelch on our Dittel FSG50 crapped out yesterday. It is otherwise a good radio so I would like to have it repaired if possible. Does anyone know of a shop in the U.S. that works on these? If it is not repairable, do the newer Dittels fit in the same mounting rack?

Anyone got any info on how this is fitted? Drwgs would be useful. Serious replies only please. Now that's left me open to abuse hasn't it!

JJ, T .... Thanks for the advice on how to return the nylon sleeve to its proper position in the "S" tube. JJ ... after spending an hour using sheer muscle and determination I was able to correct the left rudder. Next morning I tried the heating approach you suggested on the right side without...

Joe Simmers - EZ - was our sniffer today. Another outstanding long flight of well over 500km! Fantastic race day...100% completions! http://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gliding/flightinfo.html?dsId=2500504 Gary Adams - GB

In a May 10 posting on Rudder Cable Systems JJ had a great list of things to check on during annual inspections. Item #1 dealt with the nylon sleeve in the "S" tube that prevents metal-to-metal contact. While working on my DISCUS B yesterday I noticed that the nylon sleeves on both "S" tubes had...

I hope to have a dedicated soaring forecast web site up today or tomorrow for Parowan and will be on site myself from Sunday through the end of the contest. Anyone wanting a personal forecast there can track me down at my RV (look for the weather station). Dave Leonard is very helpfully running a...