Any ideas for Strobl controller replacement? The voltage is not enough for LFP battery. Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/10 looks good, but according to specs Strobl solar cell voltage is not enough to start the unit (!). Genasun has appalling efficiency.

From Weather Underground: Strong to very strong winds are currently impacting the higher terrain of the central mountains extending from the Sangre de Cristos southward to the northern Sacramento Mountains (we're directly in the middle of that) as well as the east slopes. These strong winds...

The SSA will have a display booth at the upcoming RC Exhibition to be held April 4-6 in Toledo, OH. Info he http://www.toledoshow.com/ Our booth will have all kinds of new SSA event signage (thanks Lane), soaring video's running on a 65 inch LCD, sailplane models and most importantly will...

I just learned that there are (apparently) two panel sizes available in a 29? Large and normal (or small). 1) How does one determine which one is in a given glider (without being able to easily compare it to another)? Are there dimensions or is there a simple test? 2) Can you change between...

For many or most of us, winter is here and the gliders are parked for a number of months. I have removed every battery from the cockpit, put mouse poison in the trailer and taken out anything that should not freeze (waxes, plexi-glass cleaners etc). What is the best way store glider batteries,...

Most of us have had the inevitable frustration of being told to do something one way with one instructor, only to be told to do it differently when flying with another instructor. There are, of course, multiple ways of performing certain maneuvers, and slack rope recovery is one of those. I would...

As a glider pilot and tow pilot, there are a couple of SSA - recommended hand signals/procedures that I find confusing at best and dangerous at worst: First, the HOLD and STOP signals. Used interchangeably by most wing runners, the HOLD signal (arms level) is essentially invisible from the...

Any news on new Jonker JS-3 Landing in Sagebrush, short of runway 30 @ Minden?

Ok, looking for the wisdom of the crowd (or even just the individual) here. I want to get an oxygen setup for my glider. It's an old-school touring motor glider (SZD-45 Ogar) but I like to soar it anyway, and I live in SW Colorado so I am regularly bumping my head on the 12,500ft and 14,000ft...

We've heard alot of arguments for and against instituting FAI rules in the US. For the record, I lean towards the FAI rules. If we want to win at the world level we ought to be selecting pilots under the same rules system that they will fly in the WC. That being said, the recent Junior Worlds...

Thinking about purchasing a club class glider for next year (can't afford a JS1 or ASG29). I know Std Cirri seem to be popular, but notice G Dale has bought a DG100 or 101 and won the UK Nationals in it -just wondered which would be the best for club class competition and what the pro's and...

While towing for Hollister, I noticed their instructor really liked to practice slack line. So for my flight review in Avenal yesterday, we did a bunch of slack line corrections. We did them during one tow, but broke the rope. 150' of rope ($12), two schweizer rings ($20), one tost ring ($35), a...

Ladies and Gentlemen: I have been contacted by a television production company creating a series on adventure sports. They were very impressed with the crappy media I gave them about soaring and would like to include an "expedition" if we can meet their parameters. It is Friday afternoon and I...

"Mark James Boyd" wrote in message news:4095c4f4$1@darkstar... Why are these things so long? If they were 2" instead of a foot long would it really matter that much? Is the airflow really disturbed enough to make a difference? Mark Boyd Avenal, California,...

I recived my Sparrow Hawk SN #10 just two weekends ago. I was the test pilot for the virgin bird. After 2.5 Hrs. in light 'high-pressure day' thermals in Central Oregon. All I needed to adjust was the rudder peddle lenght. Greg Cole said I main a record for the most time aloft with the least number...

I have approximately 110 hours in sailplanes in the past 2 years and had no prior experience. I am evaluating used gliders for purchase.The big kahuna's in the club are pretty adamant about purchasing a first glider without flaps. My question is: Are flaps that big a problem for a low time pilot...

My first BFR is coming up soon. That gives you an idea of how long I've been flying. At this point, I figure Gold Distance and Duration are quite doable on a "good" day. Those badges will be challenging, but within reach. The altitude gain is not impossible, but unlikely where I fly. The biggest...

Hello all, We have just ordered a spin ballast kit (Tn 4a) for our ASK 21 from Schleicher. Can anyone relate their installation experience before we, pardon the pun, auger in? Specifically about the drilling the 12mm hole and the fiberglass cloth lamination. For those curious, I shall convey back...

I just received an e-mail from Argentina that contained the text below. "Today, Dec 22nd 2006 at 1:00 AM UTC, Klaus Ohlmann called me on the phone just after landing to let me know he have made a 500 Km flight at 306 km/h on average in a Nimbus 4DM... this could be the first above 300 km/h and...

The Southern Eagles Soaring made a formal complaint to the local FAA FSDO in ATL concerning the LaGrange-Callaway airport(LGC)restricting glider flying to weekends only and unwillingness to rent hangars to club members. The LGC board claimed to the FAA that these restrictions are in the interest...