Getting ready for the winter plane projects. The question comes up every year...what to smear over the gel coat. Is there any credible comparison of wax vs PTFE vs Wx? I don't want to hear about avoiding silicones because that seems to be a non-issue since refinishers don't have much of a problem...

The last day at Montague was spectacular, probably the best soaring day I have ever seen! After flying 7 assigned turn-points in an 8-turn (3hr) MAT, I was 45 miles out with 3500' over MC-3 glide home and the SN-10 said I would be 4 minutes over the 3 hr minimum time. My stats page told me I was...

Hello The Butterfly vario was advertise has a revolution, well almost, on the market. Is there any pilots using the Butterfly vario who care to comment on the advantages,if any, of this instrument? I am serously interested in acquiring one but it as to be better than my LX 7000. Thanks for your...

Are some glider designs much safer than others? Or do certain designs put their pilots at risk for certain types of injuries during a crash? Looking at the Libelle with the bubble canopy it makes me wonder if the glider flipped on you during a bad landing or crash if the pilot would suffer head/...

I would like to attempt the duration and altitude silver badge. how do I go about finding an observer willing to work with me? how do I borrow/rent an appropriate flight data recorder? thanks, bob

All, I was in Minden last week for the Wave Camp - had a great time. I flew my first (and longest!) solo cross country in a glider. I submitted the documentation for what I thought would be an acceptable Silver Distance, but it was rejected. I was under the impression from what I've read here...

What is the best or most interesting soaring book you have read? I will be choosing a new one out of these, so any recommendations? On Quite Wings The Art and Technique of Soaring Cross-Country Soaring The Joy of Soaring Soaring Valley America's Soaring Book

Been watching olympic events of rowing, sailing, and so forth and wonder why no sailplane racing, or aerobatics?

Hi The thermal-assistant in my Oudie 2 is very helpfull when thermals are weak and disorganize. Now my Oudie 2 is not connected to my vario. But it could. My question is would it make a difference on the thermal-assistant if I connect the Oudie to my smart vario? For the purist out there I know all...

Hi all, Before we submit the new version of WinPilot for iOS to the AppStore, we would like to find the last few remaining bugs, and give the new features the final tweak. In exchange for trying the software and providing us with your feedback, the software will be yours to keep for free. Here...

Leah and I are down here at Chilhowee for a VSA rally and had an enjoyable flight in the Ka7 today attempting a silver altitude gain for the highly sought after VSA Silver Coin. Unfortunately by the time we were hot, tired, hungry, in pain, and had to pee we hadn't quite made the gain. I found...

I heard an AD was being considered for the wing spigots on the Grob 102s (US version AD). Any definite info on where this is headed and when? Thanks, Gary

Is there a way to input a security code in a Cambridge GPS_NAV and seal it without spending hundreds of dollars? Inquiring minds want to know. Steve Michalik

I am sure this has been kicked about before, but times (and prices) change. Anyone want to share their experience on the real cost of ownership of a modern glass ship (aside from purchase price)? I got a ballpark estimate from Costello Insurance for a $50K glider/trailer that ran about $1450/year...

Hi, as a beginner I am still a little rough at this. I've done 3 successful patterns with no altimeter, but today I failed one miserably with my instructor. There were two issues which threw me off. 1) we towed higher than the past attempts, and 2) instead of entering the pattern at a familiar...

Hey everyone. We had a fun weekend up in Utah with many gliders up in the air enjoying the amazing fall colors and mountain scenery. At the end of Friday's flight I decided to extend the flight and go play out in the weak wave lift in the valley northeast of the Logan airport. It was fun until it...

So in a recent conversation with a greatly experienced soaring pilot, I was told that Buzzard's have terrible thermaling skills. I tend to agree with this as it sure seems Buzzards don't get into the core and stay there. The lesson learned was don't let Turkey Buzzard show you where the core is,...

There is a 2-33 for sale on W&W for $25,000. I hope that's a typo.

Anybody 'round these parts seen that gliderslinger what's been makin' them straight out distance flights in that old wood an' cloth glider an' what calls hisself "The Cherokee Kid"? I been practicin' in my GAPA PW-2, an' I aim to take him on in the OLC straight out category this comin' season,...

I am shopping for a glider. Today I looked at a 304 That is in very good shape, current on its annual. The type is experimental. The certificate in the cockpit stipulates that the glider is to be operated from a single airfield. Is this normal? Will faa hassle me were I to purchase and...