I am compelled to make a distinction between properly complying with
the regulations and being in a noncompliance state. I just purchased
a very nice single place ship for our club (November of this year).
When I asked the owner for a copy of his program letter (so I could
use it as a template) he had no idea what I was referring to. After
arriving for the prepurchase inspection I noticed that the last time a
program letter was filed was in 2003 when the glider was imported from
Canada. The operating limitations clearly specified the need for an
annual program letter. Obviously some owners of "experimental racing/
exhibition" ships have no clue as to what their ops limitations
specify. It seems some people confuse "experimental" for "do as I
please". Please protect yourself by reading your operating
limitations and understanding each line item. The operating
limitations and any supporting documents called for such as "weight
and balance", "program letter" etc. must be on board the glider during
flight.

Lane Bush
XF