So, my understanding is that as a general rule in flying, the further aft the centre of gravity, the less drag. This is because as the centre of gravity moves further ahead of the centre of lift, the higher the torque that must be counteracted by the horizontal stabilizer generating downforce. If...

Congratulations to Air Sailing for winning the Region 13 OLC competition for 2014. However!!! Minden Soaring Club has very impressive numbers. Air Sailing had 104,000 points and 95,000Km for 28 pilots. Minden Soaring Club had 90,000 points and 93,400Km for 15 pilots. Air Sailing = 3,714 points...

There have been several threads on RAS recently about the disappointing state of our sport in the USA: a shrinking membership, few cross-country pilots, fewer contest pilots, and no world champions. If we're going to reverse these trends, we need more than contest rule tweaking and membership...

I realize this has been hashed over in the past, but looking for a fresh discussion on the relative merits of these three towplanes. Specifically, how does a stock Bird Dog compare to a 235 Pawnee, and how do various Maules do as towplanes. Our club is considering various options for adding to...

My Dittel FSG-2T works great on receive but no longer on transmit. Can anyone recommend a US repairman that has specifically repaired Dittel brand units in recent years with a good outcome. Thanks in advance.

Guy, in my Lak 12 the pilot must scan the ASI as at exactly 40kts you move flaps slowly but definitely from -2 to +1. You quickly get to know when that time has come, but you must look. The only possible criticism could be that on the DI the PIC did not do a visual check of the ASI whilst someone...

Hi, I first announced this new crowd funding effort about 1 week ago. I have been overwhelmed by the extremely positive comments and pledges received so far. I have received over 100 pledges so far! Every single pledge is appreciate more than you will ever know. Thank you! However, we have...

Rose City Soaring will be having our "End of Summer" party weekend August 23rd and 24th. WX permitting there will be a GTA style race on the 23rd and 24th. If there is enough interest we can also race on Friday the 22nd. The preliminary plan is for the A class to run a Grand Prix derivative...

The soaring cafe site seems to be down. Anyone else experiencing trouble viewing? Lane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMmhOkXQB0s&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecs

I have an Avionic trailer that has been revised to run a flat-4 plug. My Kia Sportage requires a light module kit that plugs into the wire harness and then outputs to the trailer plug. I keep blowing up the modules..............any ideas what might be the cause? These things are expensive and...

My PIK-20 factory trailer has a surge brake mechanism with a horizontally mounted gas? shock absorber. The shock absorber has become largely ineffective. When starting out from a stop, the tow hitch will extend rapidly and hit its stop with a jolt. I need to replace the absorber but can find no...

THE SEPTEMBER 2014 ISSUE OF GLIDING INTERNATIONAL Our subscribers continued to tell us we produce the best ever gliding magazine. Thumbs up all round. It has been great to receive reader's complimentary emails. The September issue goes in the mail next week. Expect it in your mail box by...

The KS Duo ride program has openings for the Regional contest at Fairfield, Pa October 12-18. The cost is the same as 12 years ago - $200/day. karls at uplink.net or 814 237 7996

Does anyone know the full length (front of trailer tongue to back) of a 15m Cobra trailer. Thanks in advance. Sean

Is there a published tutorial available for the Glideport SSA Sailplane Tracker? Or is it a figure it out as you go? I would like to learn the finer points of the site. Nick Kennedy

I am on the Board of Directors for the Sunflower Soaring Foundation. We are a 501c3 qualified organization that owns/operates the Sunflower Gliderport in Kansas. We are currently looking at the rates charged for storing assembled gliders in community hangars and for glider trailers stored on the...

I would like to hear-direct- from any pilots who have used the West Yellowstone, WY airport for soaring flights. I am particularly interested in airport facilities, airport procedures and acceptability for multiple aero tow launches. What are the soaring conditions like? Time of year you were...

An example of what the cool kids are doing when they don't have time or money to soar... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma0zeE5QOs8 Hazards managed, this rig would make some great soaring videos. I'd love to see a winch launch from above (and off to the side). Cost of the rig used to make...

Cumulus Soaring, Inc. Needs Your Help "Mutual Support Memberships" available now Details: http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/membership.htm Key Points - I love my job and enjoy supporting the soaring community - as I have done for 12 years. - I am very proud of what I have accomplished (see below). -...