You might find this entertaining: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/08/18/f_bsg_electric_airplane.cnnmoney/ See ya, Dave "YO electric" PS: Not sure of the schedule for airing on CNN...

Three years ago when I got back into soaring I talked to serveral riggers about a round vs square chute. The riggers, including Allen Silver, all talked me out of a square for safety reasons. If you are seriously considering a square rig, I highly recommend you speak with a qualified rigger and...

Steve Bralla used to make and sell tools used to help align the wing spar pin bushings during assembly. He contacted me recently and said he had lost access to the machine shop. He graciously offered me the opportunity to take over the product line, and I am now in production. I will add them to my...

bioennodepot.com is offering 15% off LiFePO4 glider batteries. 12V 9A only $85.00 bucks If your old "Sealed Lead Acid" (SLA) needs replacing, here is an opportunity to get a 12 Volt 9 Amp hour LiFePO4 battery. I have been using these for several years and would never go back to SLA's. Lots of...

I realize this has been hashed over in the past, but looking for a fresh discussion on the relative merits of these three towplanes. Specifically, how does a stock Bird Dog compare to a 235 Pawnee, and how do various Maules do as towplanes. Our club is considering various options for adding to...

Anyone have any experience modifying the glareshield for a partially embedded compass? I have a brand new airpath panel mount, but would like the panel space for a transponder, flarm, something more productive. Ideally would prefer to swap my airpath for something I could mount somehow half set...

I have seen some beautiful setups with nice antenna holders for the powerflarm brick. Where do you buy these or are they built by the owners? Any tips would be welcomed. Happy Labor Day! Sean

RAS, Since many of you have been long-time followers of my free distance attempts (that's you, Gapa Geezer), I felt compelled to report on last weekends Kansas Kowbell Klassic. Saturday was the day and there were 4 of us at the field to vie for the Kowbell. Me in Kate the Cirrus, Jerry in his...

Two comments/questions: 1. I had purchased a panel mount extension USB cable to allow me to plug the USB drive into the panel for upgrades and flight downloads. I didn't think anything about the cable type but after doing the install I can not download flights. I started looking at the cable and...

Hi all, Id like to ask for help here. My Ventus a SN143 right wing ballast is leaking around the ballast valve actuator rod. I've contacted S&H but no response so far. I do not know if a O-ring seal would fit in the small recess. Have anyone in this group experienced this problem? Thanks to...

Have received a letter from the tax assessor requesting location and value info on my glider for the purpose of property tax assessment. I am curious, why now? Since I have owned the glider almost 5 years already, I wonder if it took that long for the County/State to catch up on the paperwork. The...

Has anybody have a blanik not pass the wing inspection? We're just getting started and are interested in what others are experiencing. Thanks, Jim Dingess

I am interested in the pros and cons of a parachute lanyard. My ship is an ASW-27. I am 6ft. 3in. and the cockpit is somewhat crowded. Thanks. Douglas (EDW)

I have one and I'm seriously thinking about putting a hitch on it to (among other things) tow glider trailers with. Anyone out there doing it? What hitch do you have? Which engine? I have the 1.9 TDI, which I think has plenty of power for it...

OK, it's the time of year to talk about soaring instead of doing it here in the Northeast, so I'll ask this question. If a person was just bursting to go soaring this time of year or up to the early spring, maybe get some XC or badge legs, where would be the ideal place to go? If it's not all the...

I have received several letters over the last year from people interested in purchasing my glider. I was wondering if this is common or rare? I'd like to think it rare and that I own a highly desireable and marketable glider. I also wonder if it is some type of scam. The letter's content...

http://www.lange-flugzeugbau.de/english/menu/menu-akt.htm Wow I would like one for Christmas Mal

I'm going to watch my parachute get repacked this evening. The local Master Rigger is teaching a rigging class and I'm invited to watch him repack my 'chute in front of the class. Can I ask him any questions for r.a.s.? Bill Daniels

Hello! Can someone tell me which compensated varios do not need a total energy probe? (no electronic compensation) Thanks a lot! Robert

Be ready for the worst: I totaled my ASW-28 last summer. The next day while I was "out of it" in the hospital, the Feds (FAA-FISDO not the NTSB {because I didn't get killed I guess}) inspected the damaged glider and removed all paperwork and my smashed PDA. A few weeks later they returned all by...