Just wanted to take a moment to give the parts department at Schempp-Hirth a well deserved atta-boy. I placed two separate orders for a number of parts for my glider. I was prepared for the worst, but their prices were less than I feared. The shipping was prompt and while there was a minor...

I would like to borrow, rent, or if I must buy, a Compaq 1550 bracket which attaches to the canopy with suction cups. I need it for a temporary installation in a rented glider for a contest I am considering entering in the last half of July. If the cable was included it would be all the better. ...

New 10 cell Tenergy battery pack with charge and discharge connectors. Plenty of power for almost any ship, charges much quicker than a lead acid, also maintains voltage for a longer useable period than a lead acid of same specs. Measures 12.75" X 2.5 X 1.5 with 3.5" leads. $80 with shipping in...

This morning due to an attack by unknown hackers the server hosting gliderpilot.net failed and has caused the site to go offline. I am aiming to get things back up and running within the next 10-14 days - it would be sooner were it not for work and other commitments. If you have a...

Hi Gang Having a LSA power plane and in reviewing the proposed new experimental certifications (FAA Order 8130.2F) which includes gliders left me very puzzled. Why would anyone register a glider or motor glider as an experimental or standard light sport aircraft (LSA) although 8130.2F...

Does anyone have experience of using a Piper Cherokee 180 as glider tug and how effective, or otherwise, it was?

I have heard that someone in the US is using a Flight Design CTSW Light Sport Airplane as a tow plane. I would like to know where this is happening and performance history. Tom Dixon Idaho

What a nonsense, Ian. In the ancient times, people wanting to get a badge needed to buy a barograph and a camera, and if I recall correctly, they weren't cheap - typically more expensive than a logger today. So, what changed is the technology, not the price tag.

Thanks to the proposed changes to section 6.7 (Flight Documentation Equipment) of the 2008 SSA Regional and National contest rules, Random Logic will soon be releasing several exciting products for those pilots wishing to optimize their scores! For pilots in Category 3 (sports class...

Someone recently posted a link to a video that showed a glider simply rolling downhill until it picked up flying speed. I can't seem to find that video. Help?

Nimbus 3-25.5. 1982 SN 18 (former XX, 7V) 1400 hours. Refinished 6 years ago with Simtec. Factory tailwheel mod. Tilt-up panel mod. Custom baggage compartment. Wedekind sleeves in fuselage. 5-point Schroth harness. 2x 8A/H batteries. Relief tube. Excellent tiedown points. Sage SV, S-NAV,...

Link to article about Marfa in the movies on our local television web site: http://wral.com/entertainment/story/2448050/ Ok, nothing about soaring in the article, but it is still about Marfa. Ray Lovinggood Carrboro, North Carolina, USA

For some light reading, you may enjoy these. http://www.jimforeman.com/Stories/flying.htm Frank Whiteley

My SN10 remote has lost the knobs and shafts from two of the rotary switches. One of them kept falling off from about day one and I've stuck it back dozens of times, but it has eventually disappeared into the dirt on our field. A second one is now showing the same symptoms. This looks like it...

Since the one listed a couple of weeks ago went quickly, I thought I'd sell mine too. Everything was in working order when I removed it two years ago. Includes the 80mm Nav display, 58mm vario, and manual. It worked well as a vario and for speed to fly. I never bothered with the final...

Hi Gang This is a tough and pretty rigorous article on the flying characteristics of todays' and yesterdays' large soaring birds with comparisons to modern gliders (ASW21). Worth a read. (Originally posted on the paraglider SFBAPA Group.) Dave http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/104/30/12398

I am considering the purchase of an ASH 25e. One of the concerns is our operating field. On some days a Nimbus 3t with 25.5 m tips things can be a little marginal if the ship is at max T/O weight. How does the ASH 25 compare if flown empty but 2 up? We are operating off a 'lush' grass field...

This is a golden opportunity. Dianne Black-Nixon announced at the general member meeting that she was offering a 'Matching Challenge Grant' of up to $25,000 for your donation to the SSA. Mark you tax deductible donation check with 'Matching Challenge Grant' or call the SSA office with your...

Hi, I'm looking for a replacement Palm PDA to run SoaringPilot software. I have a Tungsten T and I'm very happy with it's display clarity even in bright sunlight, but it has a problem with touchscreen registration when it gets hot, and this often makes the software unusable. Anyone currently...

Are there any news reg. the SSA convention? Photos of the exhibition floor, interesting papers, reactions to the winch on display, etc.? Those of us not able to make it are dieing to hear from you...