The Soaring Safety Foundation is updating the Bronze Badge written test. If you have any suggestions, please contact me at: or sign up for my newsletter at: www.eglider.org for news about this subject.

Note that a recent (~April 2006) database of all the charted airports in the USA, including Alaska and Hawaii, is available from John Leibacher's Turnpoint exchange (http://soaring.aerobatics.ws/TP/FAA). This database is derived from an FAA database sold on CDs that Paul Remde and I discovered...

The Club Survey is now online at http://206.168.3.4/survey/surveys.php and will close January 14, 2004. This comprehensive survey will allow the SSA and the Club and Chapter Committee to better promote and serve soaring clubs in the US. The information will be used to update the database and...

Let me be the SECOND to congratulate the AFAA cadet Soaring Team: and YES, they changed their name from Cross Country Team to RACING team! e-mail from soaring pilot and Cadet Sailplane Racing Team Coach: Matty I'd like to be the 1st to congratulate the Cadet Sailplane Racing Team for winning...

All, The proposed rules changes summary for the 2014 season (and one important change planned for 2015) have been posted in the Rules and Process section of the SSA website. The comment period ends on Saturday January 18. Send comments to quebec dot tango at gmail dot com Although the changes...

Thanks to all who provided feedback during the comment period (which ended January 18). Small revisions have been made to the proposed changes and will be submitted to the SSA BOD for approval at the February 23rd meeting. The revised document detailing the changes is available at: ...

Just curious as to the current situation regarding team flying in U.S. competions, especially in view of the decided disadvantage U.S. pilots appear to suffer in world competitions due to lack of team flying experience. My understanding is that premeditated team flying is still...

Three new documents have been posted on the SSA Competition Rules and Process page: John Cochrane's annual contest safety review http://www.ssa.org/files/member/2012%20BB%20Safety%20Review.pdf The results of the 2012 Pilot Opinion Poll ...

I have been using charts made my Taylor Blackburn, the daughter of 9B, Andy Blackburn. The best I can say is they work very well in the cockpit and also, for planning purposes while on the ground. These charts come with the contest turnpoints and are laminated to last for several years. Much eaiser...

Other than having been - and remaining - thoroughly enamored with soaring (and all its varied aspects) since bumbling into it in the early '70s, I have no dog in the "racing vs. competition (aka US rules vs. FAI rules) tempest," but since no one else has mentioned a few thoughts that have...

Everyone, a big thanks for finishing out your paperwork for the 2005 contest season. The 15 Meters will be done as soon as Noreen gets back to Uvalde. I just spoke with Gaynell at the SSA office, as the remainder of the medallions are being sent out for the Regionals. 4th thur 9th from the 15...

ANNOUNCING AN EXCITING NEW COMPETITION CLASS FOR THE USA The double-seater class in many European countries is very popular. It provides an excellent opportunity for new people to be introduced to competition flying. Three-member teams with a designated pilot is encouraged. This allows...

It looks like the first SSA approved, USA Double Seater Contest will likely be held at Fredricksburg, Gillespie County Airport, Texas. August 22nd thru August 28th, 2004. The USA Motorglider Contest will also be held at this time. Details are not complete, however, the contest will essentially...

Well, now I've done it. I've changed the tail number of my glider, and I'm in the process of getting a new experimental airworthiness certificate. My glider currently is certified as: "Experimental: Exhibition and Air Racing." The DAR (FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative) says that I am...

Where are the official 2005 Sports Class handicaps? The 2005 official Sports Class rules (on the SSA site) says in Paragraph 11.5.1.1 "Each sailplane is assigned a Handicap Factor from the SSA Handicap Table (Appendix A to these Rules)." However, Appendix A is the "Guide To Competition Rules"...

This year, we have removed the one contest limit on Junior contest fee rebates. Fly as many as you can and claim the rebate. Other requirements are the same as prior years. John Godfrey (QT) RC Chair

The SSA Competition Committee is offering any qualified USA Junior pilot a rebate of 90% of their contest fees for a sanctioned Regional or National contest during the 2013 season. There is a limit of one rebate per pilot. Download the application form here. For the committee, John Godfrey (QT)

The USA Competition Committee is once again offering a 90% rebate on fees for one contest to junior pilots. Download the rules and application at: https://www.ssa.org/files/member/2013%20JUNIORS%20Rebates.pdf John Godfrey (QT) Rule Committee Chair

For all you Open Class competitors out there - the National contest will be held in Ephrata, WA this year from June 28th through July 7th with practice days on June 26th and 27th. The soaring season has already started at Ephrata with some pilots contacting wave just last weekend. As you all know,...

Just got an email from DJ - No contest. Bummer. Best Regards, Dave "YO"