Hi I have just had a lovely gentle flight. Bright sunshine but the air temparature below zero we aerotowed to 4000ft and encountered gentle wave. Once below the scattered cumulus we found very weak small thermals. Landed the Duo and tucked into mince pies with my club mates. What a lovely way to...

USA / SSA Commercial Soaring Operators and SSA Chapter Clubs: Now is the time to check your listing on "Where To Fly" (it's hiding behind "The Sport" button) at www.ssa.org and make updates and corrections, especially to your contact information. Look at your listing then email your updates to...

Lippmann in Germany reports a winch launch to 950 meters (3100'). http://www.lippmann.de/hoistline.htm Has anyone heard of a higher launch? Bill Daniels

I am wondering what is involved with trailering and setting up an average (popular model) glider. Can one reasonable expect to park the car, unload the trailer, and have glider ready to fly in under 90minutes? Does it usually take two people? Do gliders ever have wings separate in flight due to...

Hi, I am currently working on a website dedicated to above types including production history and photos etc, I already have a large amount of info but I am looking for any good resolution pictures of any Falkes's or Dimona's that you may have. Having travelled Europe considerably in the last...

Entries now at a reasonable level of 42 competitors for latest entry list see: http://www.sssa.org.za Let the games begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For what it is worth. We have just completed the major work of refurbishing our club's 1956 Scheibe Bergfalke II/55. We returned her to the hangar resplendent in new red and white fabric and dope and with a lot of repairs... So - for those in the northern hemisphere who have the time to look. It...

Although the technology is still pricy vs lead-acid batteries, the power/weight/size vs cost equation is getting better. Anybody using lithium model airplane packs bundeled to produce 12 - 14 v @3 - 6 amps as a power source for their glider? (I have been looking at the duralite site ... I'm sure...

Time for the annual PW5 discussion. After reading all the negative posts here for years about how bad the PW5 is and how it is leading to the downfall of Soaring around the world, I have come to a realization. It is FEAR. Yes, all these hotshots who put down this ship simply could not compete...

Safe and happy soaring fly and drive safe. Mal

Hey listen to Al... He knows... PW5 sucks... If some one has different opinion, please DO NOT let us know as this conversation has been done and overwith sooooooo many times...

Help. I want to repair some self-inflicted wounds on the leading edges of the wings on my LS1-d. The wounds were created when getting the wings out from and/or putting them back into the definintely non-Cobra/Komet trailer. While not a Cobra, it is a 'serpent' type of trailer, but more of a...

Hi, Does anyone use Customer Relationship Manager software to manage their club members? If you do what do you use? Tony Cavanna.

Hmmm...the table of contents for this 83 page publication has gyro, powered parachute, airplane, LTA... but no gliders... Sigh...it looks like this opportunity has passed. It looks like Pipistrel won't be able to get an SLSA certificate for anything, so no Pipistrel glider rentals... And so much...

The solstice is here! Summer is coming!!! For those of you in the southern hemisphere, well, your day will come... (-: -Bob

The main Soaring Server http://soaring.aerobatics.ws which was offline for a bit last week is back up. There are two identical "mirror" sites at http://soaring.gahsys.com and http://soaring.xinqu.net available for this eventuality, or regular use. Apologies for the inconvenience, many thanks...

I'm planning on purchasing a new or used parachute to replace mine that does not fit the contours of my ship. My question pertains to the accepted longevity of emergency parachutes which I've often heard is about 20 years. Because mine is 27 years old, I was just about to toss my Security 250 in...

Philadelphia Glider Council Glider Pilots Ground School -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who Should Attend:

The Soaring Safety Foundation (safety affiliate of the SSA) will conduct a Glider Flight Instructor Recertification Clinic in Lombard, Illinois, on Saturday January 8 and Sunday January 9 2005. Reservations are required for this event. Location: Embassy Suites Hotel in Lombard Illinois. Clinic...

I have been cruising around cyber-space looking for an accurate flight sim while the outside tempurature hovers around -20 degrees C. I am a licenced glider pilot so I am particular. I have currently found three possible software packages: 1. Microsoft FS 2004 2. x-plane v7 3. SFS v 4 (soaring...