I am looking for some advice on the forms and process I need to go through, to buy a glider registered in the US. From what I can tell, I need a Bill of Sale (form 8050-2) and an Aircraft Registration Application (form 8050-1). It appears that the latter form is only available from the local FSDO...

In the latest edition of Soaring magazine there is an article about TLAR. For those not familiar with TLAR, it is a landing approach teaching method that is based on angles as opposed to elevations and distances. Using angles automatically compensates for variations in altitude. On downwind , if...

I'm looking for an inexpensive oxygen system for occasional flights up to 18,000 feet MSL. It seems easy to get a used medical type bottle with a regulator that includes a flow restriction built in. You can select, e.g., a 1 lpm flow rate right on the regulator. But, in a glider, you won't be...

With all the discussion about FLARM, ADS-B and the Pros/Cons, I thought the time is right to bring some facts into the discussion. Last September I had a near mid air with a C421. Since I had recently equipped over the previous winter with a Mode S transponder (Trig T22), I was curious whether: 1)...

Making a run southeast from Sunflower in Kansas. Hoping to launch at 11 central. Follow on SSA Tracker or glideport.aero

Snipping from another thread (Per): "And this is exactly why retrofitting an older glider to FES is impossible. With an max weight of non lifting part typically in the range of 230-250kg is it not enough marginal to put in an extra weight of 40-50kg for motor, electronics and battery in the...

After removing all the gelcoat, a friend recommended applying a very thin cloth known as Vail to fill most pinholes. We brushed on epoxy and rolled on the Vail, followed with thin peal-ply, then squeegee'd it out with excess resin toward the trailing edges of the wing. Not sure it worked all that...

Hey all, I've been flying with a Security 150 for quite a while. It is most comfortable. I tried a Security 350 and it is most uncomfortable. It's time to replace the 150. What chute do you suggest that is very comfortable for those 5+ hour flights? Thanks Steve

New "bumper" product announcement: The ramp sliders on my 2002 Cobra trailer were metal on metal, bolt threads gouged the extruded aluminum floor rails and there was metal on metal wear.. Some later trailers have plastic washers, but those don't last or work well either. I made plastic sliders for...

Hello, I am in the early stages of building a Luebke patterned clamshell trailer for my Schempp-Hirth SHK. The trailer is an aluminum sheathed steel frame 'interpretation' of the cobra and comet style trailers. I have been paying attention to every glider trailer I've been around for the last few...

Hello all, The Butterfly screen that indicates Flarm or PowerFlarm operation is normal, but is not receiving other traffic within range, is depicted on https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/35654093/butterfly-no-traffic.png. A big red indication (butterfly logo) that is not described in the...

All - For the third year in a row I've somehow managed to injure my back early in the season (base of the spine/sciatic nerve). I'm beginning to suspect its not my day-job or rigging my ship (I have a one-man rigger); but rather my flying and seating position in the cockpit (DG-300). Short...

This came from a separate thread "Typo in Battery Article in Soaring" On Feb 2, 10:11 am, Karl Kunz wrote: John, also enjoyed your article and will try your technique on a couple of batteries I am unsure of. Also, since we have an EE on the line I wanted to ask about battery...

I own a very fuel efficient car (40+ mpg) that handles the long drive to the airport at minimal cost. But my fuel efficient car is not suitable for towing a glider trailer... especially if I have to tow the trailer out of a muddy field. So if I buy a glider, do I need to trade in my very small...

Our club uses 4 pin jones plugs for battery plugs, 2 pins positive and 2 pins negative for redundancy. But even this is not fool proof after passage of time: sometimes they need to be "wiggled" to connect and they are getting hard to find now too. What kinds of plugs are other clubs or...

All sailplane owners, Please reply with the weight on your tail wheel from your weight and balance sheet. I will calculate the average after a few days and post it and the range. Reply on this list or directly to me, either way is fine. Thanks.

As much as it pains me to part with my vintage Thrustmaster F16 FLCS, throttle, and rudders, I think it's time to move into the 21st century and get a USB setup. What is the current consensus on what joystick/rudder combo to go with?? Thanks Pete

I have been very actively looking for the perfect "new technology" battery solution for my glider for a few years. I have been looking to fill two battery trays in my 27B fitted for the standard 6' x 2.6" x 3.7" 12 volt 9ah lead batteries with lighter and higher amp hour batteries. There has been...

I'm curious how a late model Subaru Outback handles the load of a sailplane trailer. I'm looking at a 3.6 liter V6 with auto trans. If you use an Outback as a tow vehicle, please share your experiences and detail the motor size, transmission, and towing terrain. Thanks ben

The ASW 20 seems to have a reputation for bad behavior in some configurations. Is this reputation deserved or overblown? What has been the experience of those who have owned and flown the glider? Are some variants of the 20 better or worse in terms of handling characteristics? Tom A