On 9/16/2012 6:06 AM, wrote:
Correct - found this reference at
http://www.german-way.com/famous-wernher-von-braun.html

In 1931, von Braun began learning to fly gliders, taking private lessons
in Grunau, Silesia. He later became a skilled pilot, eventually flying
everything from fighters to helicopters, but his goal of one day flying
in space eluded him.

Would be interesting to know if von Braun did fly gliders in the US.

GM

He very definitely did, as a (guest? I don't know) member of the Cumberland
Soaring Group in (at least) the early 1970s.

As a recent college grad, during my student instruction one morning (the '73
season), there was a flurry of activity among some of the more senior club
members around an older - unfamiliar to me - man (who appeared to be anywhere
from 45-65 years of age from my distance). Fuzzy memory says he eventually was
packed into another member's Libelle for a launch. Further instruction
activities on my part precluded my maintaining further daily awareness of his
day's soaring success.

Prior to my day's instruction, I was told by the chief instructor the man was
Wernher von Braun who liked to come out "as anonymously as possible"
(presumably to enjoy both soaring and the anonymity). I was also informed he
had a daughter who also participated at some level in soaring, but I don't
recall her being there that day.

That was the only time I saw him at the field.

Bob W.