I have been towing for about two and a half years and have logged over 6,500 tows. Having recently experienced a couple of rather violent glider kiting incidents, one at about 300 feet AGL I decided to investigate the experiences of other tow pilots in these circumstances. I have spent several...

Over the years (30 or so) Caesar Creek Soaring Club has vacillated with setting the altimeter to zero or MSL. Last year the Board decided to put the Club ships on an MSL basis (private gliders exempted). There are however a number of members who are continuing to make it an issue. I would be...

For my last three flights I've been getting a message from OLC warning of implausible time records in the igc file.Â* Does anyone know what this means and what I might do to correct the problem? I've asked the question on the ClearNav forum but haven't gotten a reply yet. Here's a link to the...

After the day at Moriarty earlier this year and Nephi yesterday for the 15M/Std Combined class the rules for how a day is devalued needs to be addressed. I understand why the rule was modified a few years ago so that if pilots just didn't fly it would not devalue the day, but the criteria of what...

I committed one of the worst errors - an incomplete preflight check. I did not check the hotelier locks to the spoiler rods with enough care before takeoff. Coming into the pattern I extended the spoilers and noticed immediately that something was wrong. The glider (SparrowHawk) was pulling to one...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIYU2zkGQFQ

US contest pilots. The 2019 SSA Contest Rules Pilot Opinion Poll is now open and will remain open through October 20, 2019. You must be on the SSA Pilot Ranking List to participate. We look forward to your input. You can access the poll online at:...

There are 3 nice ASW27's for sale, all at reduced prices in the Wings and Wheels website. We 3 owners are mystified at the seeming lack of interest in this ship. Two of us are no longer flying thanks to Father Time and we're throwing in lots of soaring related "goodies" with your...

FYI, for those who hadn't heard. https://www.asias.faa.gov/apex/f?p=100:96:33103348435401::::P96_ENTRY_DATE,P96_MAKE_NAME,P96_FATAL_FLG:09-NOV-20,SCHLEICHER Darren

I am looking for a US source for a rechargeable (preferably gel or sealed lead-acid) for the fin battery box of a Schempp-Hirth. I need the extra power as well as the tail weight! Dimensions are approximately 10 inches long, 4 inches wide and 1-1/2 inches deep. I've found a few single-cell...

One unpredictable consequence of a fiberglass topped Cobra! https://www-265.aig.com/AviationSalvage/salvagedetail.aspx?SalvageId=2911

I spent a day at Oshkosh last Monday and had a chance to talk to Trig about their ADS-B plans. The Trig TT22 Mode S Transponder is currently shipping and supports 1090ES ADS-B Out, if it is connected to an approved WAAS GPS position source. Up to now, approved GPS sources have been quite...

A low cost ACW based on GPS will be tested in Switzerland. See www.flarm.com George

Several of our members have recently been surveying possible landing strips for our contest database and Steve Koerner came across an old crashed glider in the Arizona desert..... http://www.flickr.com/photos/36766677@N08/sets/72157622824263137/ Registration was N71JR. V-tail, large flaps, no...

Many of us remember major events of the summer of 1969: Haight- Ashbury, Manson, Woodstock, Apollo-Moon, Chappaquiddick. But a lot was also going on that summer in a small town in southern Texas... Marfa! To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1969 US Soaring Nationals in Marfa TX, I have put...

I DON'T mean to stir up trouble on this forum with this question, especially being new, but have been wondering about this for some time. I am wondering how feasible it would be to do this with either a homebuilt or experimental glider here in the US? I figure this has been asked but didn't find...

Washington DC Examiner January 15, 2009 Don't agree with everything Barb pushes, but she did her homework. The whole article and reader feedback below. Thanks Frank for noting. Please also post your comments at: http://www.dcexaminer.com/opinion/Warnings_began_years_ago_011509.html Not just at...

http://sailplane-racing.org/ Ken Kochanski SRA Secretary

I've been reading the articles about sailplanes in Olympic Games, some other postings about PW-5 and I came to conclusion that most people who are posting this articles are afraid of World Class gliders. Why? What is so difficult in understanding the concept of the glider, the cost of building it,...

I have been considering buying an ASW20, ASW20B, or ASW20C. I knew they were champions in their day and still have a lot of admirers. However a few folks from my club say they have some nasty spin characteristics. Specifically, that they have a tendancy to not only immediately spin when stalled,...