JOHN ROAKE'S LATEST NEWS

[johnhamish]

THE MAY 2012 ISSUE OF
GLIDING INTERNATIONAL

A wealth of news for soaring pilots from around the world. A 64 page
issue.
Stories include:

1. New sailplane now in production designed to introduce a new
concept to the sport. Dynamic Story. An eight page feature article.

2. An objective report on the 2012 I.G.C. plenary session held this
year in South Africa. You are going to be disappointed if you wanted a
class change or a solution to the membership crisis.

3. Full story and photos on the home built/designed sailplane bungee
launched with the aid of a bath full of concrete from a European
castle roof. Wow to that one!

4. Another new sailplane comes on the market this northern summer.
(And priced to compete) The manufacturers of this 15m new ship
declare that its performance is better than the ‘Diana II’. Built to
sustain 11+G’s and -9G’s. No other series built sailplane has even
been built to sustain these forces.

5. How to tackle cross country fear - especially on your first
attempt.

6. Effective April 8, new pilot licensing rules in Europe come into
effect. The EASA (European Aviation Safety Authority) have
introduced rules exclusive to European countries. If nothing else they
have just again proved that these idiots continue to be the odd-ball
leaders in the world’s civil aviation authorities.

7. Something different. We provide the history of the World Gliding
Championship trophies – where they came from, who donated them and who
got their names on them first.

8. Gliding International reports on their choice of the World’s top
soaring pilot for 2012.

9. Australia’s Soaring museum - its creation and history makes
interesting reading.

10. There is now an affordable glass two seat trainer that former
grounded Blanik owners can seriously consider.

11. Ritz de Luy writes about the 2012 summer season in southern
hemisphere and the start of the Northern summer season with details on
who won and who lost and why.

12. The EGU (European Gliding Union) met in Holland in February to
review ways and means of arresting the membership decline. They
obviously got tied of waiting for the IGC to do something about this
very serious problem.

13. And how about this. A national soaring operation has laid down an
artificial grass runway at a cost $3.8 million. The story has to
question the mentality of those responsible for this absurd project.

14. We bring you a report on gliding in Ukraine. Interesting place
for a soaring holiday. Their locally produced single seater AC21 is
the cheapest low range single seater on the market.

15. A photographic look at soaring on the Wasserkuppe in 1930. They
were making the same errors of judgement then that we do today.

16. Pipistrel hits the headlines again. They are building an
$US8million new production factory in Italy. Construction has
already started..

17. We announce the new email gliding news service (igilding.net)
that broadcasts headline news via email to all enthusiasts around the
world. It is a free service to any interested pilot (past or
present).

18. Research on lithium batteries. Increased performance will come
from seaweed. Another research project in detail.

19. And life to an older story. Nine Blaniks launched together
behind one tow plane.

20. And Gliding International is giving away 1000 copies of the
fabulous DVD – ‘Gladiators of the Sky.” All details in the May issue..

21. New name in electronics - Sagetech. Details of the company
that is producing and marketing a transponder that is the size of a
credit card. Amazing. Now on the market.

22. Report on Aero 2012 at Friedrichshafen.

PLUS A MULTITUDE OF OTHER INTERNATIONAL STORIES THAT PROVIDE GREAT
READING.

NEW OR RENEWING SUBSCRIBERS GO TO OUR WEB SITE
<www.glidinginternational.com>

[kirk.stant]

On Friday, April 20, 2012 5:51:06 AM UTC-5, johnhamish wrote:
> THE MAY 2012 ISSUE OF
> GLIDING INTERNATIONAL
>
> A wealth of news for soaring pilots from around the world. A 64 page
> issue.
> Stories include:
>
> 1. New sailplane now in production designed to introduce a new
> concept to the sport. Dynamic Story. An eight page feature article.
>
> 2. An objective report on the 2012 I.G.C. plenary session held this
> year in South Africa. You are going to be disappointed if you wanted a
> class change or a solution to the membership crisis.
>
> 3. Full story and photos on the home built/designed sailplane bungee
> launched with the aid of a bath full of concrete from a European
> castle roof. Wow to that one!
>
> 4. Another new sailplane comes on the market this northern summer.
> (And priced to compete) The manufacturers of this 15m new ship
> declare that its performance is better than the ‘Diana II’. Built to
> sustain 11+G’s and -9G’s. No other series built sailplane has even
> been built to sustain these forces.
>
> 5. How to tackle cross country fear - especially on your first
> attempt.
>
> 6. Effective April 8, new pilot licensing rules in Europe come into
> effect. The EASA (European Aviation Safety Authority) have
> introduced rules exclusive to European countries. If nothing else they
> have just again proved that these idiots continue to be the odd-ball
> leaders in the world’s civil aviation authorities.
>
> 7. Something different. We provide the history of the World Gliding
> Championship trophies – where they came from, who donated them and who
> got their names on them first.
>
> 8. Gliding International reports on their choice of the World’s top
> soaring pilot for 2012.
>
> 9. Australia’s Soaring museum - its creation and history makes
> interesting reading.
>
> 10. There is now an affordable glass two seat trainer that former
> grounded Blanik owners can seriously consider.
>
> 11. Ritz de Luy writes about the 2012 summer season in southern
> hemisphere and the start of the Northern summer season with details on
> who won and who lost and why.
>
> 12. The EGU (European Gliding Union) met in Holland in February to
> review ways and means of arresting the membership decline. They
> obviously got tied of waiting for the IGC to do something about this
> very serious problem.
>
> 13. And how about this. A national soaring operation has laid down an
> artificial grass runway at a cost $3.8 million. The story has to
> question the mentality of those responsible for this absurd project.
>
> 14. We bring you a report on gliding in Ukraine. Interesting place
> for a soaring holiday. Their locally produced single seater AC21 is
> the cheapest low range single seater on the market.
>
> 15. A photographic look at soaring on the Wasserkuppe in 1930. They
> were making the same errors of judgement then that we do today.
>
> 16. Pipistrel hits the headlines again. They are building an
> $US8million new production factory in Italy. Construction has
> already started..
>
> 17. We announce the new email gliding news service (igilding.net)
> that broadcasts headline news via email to all enthusiasts around the
> world. It is a free service to any interested pilot (past or
> present).
>
> 18. Research on lithium batteries. Increased performance will come
> from seaweed. Another research project in detail.
>
> 19. And life to an older story. Nine Blaniks launched together
> behind one tow plane.
>
> 20. And Gliding International is giving away 1000 copies of the
> fabulous DVD – ‘Gladiators of the Sky.” All details in the May issue.
>
> 21. New name in electronics - Sagetech. Details of the company
> that is producing and marketing a transponder that is the size of a
> credit card. Amazing. Now on the market.
>
> 22. Report on Aero 2012 at Friedrichshafen.
>
> PLUS A MULTITUDE OF OTHER INTERNATIONAL STORIES THAT PROVIDE GREAT
> READING.
>
> NEW OR RENEWING SUBSCRIBERS GO TO OUR WEB SITE
> <www.glidinginternational.com>

I assume article 13 is about the new glider runway at USAFA. Do some research. The artificial covering is the same as is being used at many international airports for covering next to runways and taxiways and is probably a lot less expensive than a new paved runway or real turf. And if you were familiar with the surface conditions and the tempo of flight operations at the Zoo, you might understand why this was a good choice.

Check out http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2012/04/air-force-academy-landing-strip-for-gliders-040812/

and http://www.avturf.com/

for some more information about this project.

Kirk
66

[Bill D]

On Apr 20, 8:13*am, "kirk.stant" > wrote:
> On Friday, April 20, 2012 5:51:06 AM UTC-5, johnhamish wrote:
> > THE MAY 2012 ISSUE OF
> > GLIDING INTERNATIONAL
>
> > A wealth of news for soaring pilots from around the world. *A 64 page
> > issue.
> > Stories include:
>
> > 1. *New sailplane now in production designed to introduce a new
> > concept to the sport. *Dynamic Story. *An eight page feature article.
>
> > 2. *An objective report on the 2012 I.G.C. plenary session held this
> > year in South Africa. You are going to be disappointed if you wanted a
> > class change or a solution to the membership crisis.
>
> > 3. *Full story and photos on the home built/designed sailplane bungee
> > launched with the aid of a bath full of concrete from a European
> > castle roof. *Wow to that one!
>
> > 4. Another new sailplane comes on the market this northern summer.
> > (And priced to compete) *The manufacturers of this 15m new ship
> > declare that its performance is better than the ‘Diana II’. * Built to
> > sustain 11+G’s and -9G’s. *No other series built sailplane has even
> > been built to sustain these forces.
>
> > 5. *How to tackle cross country fear *- especially on your first
> > attempt.
>
> > 6. *Effective April 8, new pilot licensing rules in Europe come into
> > effect. *The EASA *(European Aviation Safety Authority) have
> > introduced rules exclusive to European countries. If nothing else they
> > have just again proved that these idiots continue to be the odd-ball
> > leaders in the world’s civil aviation authorities.
>
> > 7. * Something different. *We provide the history of the World Gliding
> > Championship trophies – where they came from, who donated them and who
> > got their names on them first.
>
> > 8. *Gliding International reports on their choice of the World’s top
> > soaring *pilot for 2012.
>
> > 9. *Australia’s Soaring museum - *its creation and history makes
> > interesting reading.
>
> > 10. *There is now an affordable glass two seat trainer that former
> > grounded Blanik owners can seriously consider.
>
> > 11. *Ritz de Luy writes about the 2012 summer season in southern
> > hemisphere and the start of the Northern summer season with details on
> > who won and who lost and why.
>
> > 12. The EGU *(European Gliding Union) met in Holland in February to
> > review ways and means of arresting the membership decline. They
> > obviously got tied of waiting for the IGC to do something about this
> > very serious problem.
>
> > 13. And how about this. *A national soaring operation has laid down an
> > artificial grass runway at a cost $3.8 million. *The story has to
> > question the mentality of those responsible for this absurd project.
>
> > 14. *We bring you a report on gliding in Ukraine. *Interesting place
> > for a soaring holiday. *Their locally produced single seater AC21 is
> > the cheapest low range single seater on the market.
>
> > 15. *A photographic look at soaring on the Wasserkuppe in 1930. *They
> > were making the same errors of judgement then that we do today.
>
> > 16. *Pipistrel hits the headlines again. *They are building an
> > $US8million new production factory in Italy. * Construction has
> > already started..
>
> > 17. *We announce the new email gliding news service (igilding.net)
> > that broadcasts headline news via email to all enthusiasts around the
> > world. *It is a free service to any interested pilot (past or
> > present).
>
> > 18. * *Research on lithium batteries. *Increased performance will come
> > from seaweed. *Another research project in detail.
>
> > 19. *And life to an older story. *Nine Blaniks launched together
> > behind one tow plane.
>
> > 20. *And Gliding International is giving away 1000 copies of the
> > fabulous DVD – ‘Gladiators of the Sky.” *All details in the May issue.
>
> > 21. *New name in electronics - *Sagetech. * Details of the company
> > that is producing and marketing a transponder that is the size of a
> > credit card. Amazing. *Now on the market.
>
> > 22. *Report on Aero 2012 at Friedrichshafen.
>
> > PLUS A MULTITUDE OF OTHER INTERNATIONAL STORIES THAT PROVIDE GREAT
> > READING.
>
> > NEW OR RENEWING SUBSCRIBERS GO TO OUR WEB SITE
> > <www.glidinginternational.com>
>
> I assume article 13 is about the new glider runway at USAFA. *Do some research. *The artificial covering is the same as is being used at many international airports for covering next to runways and taxiways and is probably a lot less expensive than a new paved runway or real turf. *And if you were familiar with the surface conditions and the tempo of flight operations at the Zoo, you might understand why this was a good choice.
>
> Check outhttp://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2012/04/air-force-academy-landing-s...
>
> andhttp://www.avturf.com/
>
> for some more information about this project.
>
> Kirk
> 66

Apparently, it cost the USAFA about $2.67 per square foot installed.
They probably paid top Dollar for the best installation possible to be
sure it works. I know of some airports which spent more than that in
a so-far unsuccessful effort to grow real turf which doesn't count the
ongoing watering, fertilizing, weeding and mowing costs if it ever
does take root. To me it looks like a really smart move by the USAFA
- and for the taxpayers.

Maybe some civilian glider clubs should be looking into 'Avturfing'
their runway.

[kirk.stant]

On Friday, April 20, 2012 2:36:59 PM UTC-5, Bill D wrote:
>
> Maybe some civilian glider clubs should be looking into 'Avturfing'
> their runway.

On the AvTurf site there are pictures of a Gen Av avturf runway at Calhan airport (5V4). Shows several types of aircraft using the strip, from Supercub/Huskies to Twin Otters, as well as a Blanik L23. Interestingly, it looks like an USAFA towplane and Blanik, along with USAF aircrews - so this appears to be an on-site evaluation of the avturf surface by the AF. Looks like they were doing their homework!

Kirk
66

[Bill D]

On Apr 20, 1:51*pm, "kirk.stant" > wrote:
> On Friday, April 20, 2012 2:36:59 PM UTC-5, Bill D wrote:
>
> > Maybe some civilian glider clubs should be looking into 'Avturfing'
> > their runway.
>
> On the AvTurf site there are pictures of a Gen Av avturf runway at Calhan airport (5V4). Shows several types of aircraft using the strip, from Supercub/Huskies to Twin Otters, as well as a Blanik L23. *Interestingly, it looks like an USAFA towplane and Blanik, along with USAF aircrews - so this appears to be an on-site evaluation of the avturf surface by the AF. *Looks like they were doing their homework!
>
> Kirk
> 66

There are ongoing negotiations for a weekend CAP cadet ride operation
at the USAFA. If that happens, I'll be back with a first person
review of the Avturf runway.

[kirk.stant]

On Friday, April 20, 2012 3:10:23 PM UTC-5, Bill D wrote:
>
> There are ongoing negotiations for a weekend CAP cadet ride operation
> at the USAFA. If that happens, I'll be back with a first person
> review of the Avturf runway.

Great! Might make a nice article for Soaring (and Gliding International!).

Kirk
66