I need to replace the air struts for a 1982 15 Meter Komet III Trailer. Any suggestions for sources? jcmartin AT bak.rr.com

2009 Laister Sailplane Count (“Bird Count”) Currently, I know of 4 Laister sailplanes that are regularly flown in the U.S. I suspect there are more. Do you know of any active Laister Sailplanes flying in your area? Do you know of any Laister Sailplanes undergoing restoration in your area? If so,...

Is there a Libelle Gathering planned for 2009? If so, any details out there? Blue J

You can view current photos and details at: http://www.soaring-classifieds.com. Courtesy of Paul Remde at Cumulus Soaring. N888LP 1977 Laister Forty Niner. An American Classic. LP-49 Glass Fuselage, Metal Wing. 15 meter. New tinted canopy. Fixed Tailwheel. Retractable Main Wheel....

PIK-20D, 1457 hrs. NDH, Cambridge 302 w/GPS, 2 Compaq Aero PDM's, sage SV mechanical vario, Filser ATR57, strong parachute, Schreder trailer, tow out gear, $27,900 USD, Located VA., contact Jim Cole,

Need SN-10b immediately. Please contact me if you'd like to sell one. Email jcotter.4x "at" gmail.com

I have installed a B40. Only while transmitting on my radio the B40 quickly reads +5 kts and then slowly decays back to zero. Is this normal and can it be fixed? I tried replacing the power lead to the vario with shielded wire connected to gnd at one end and this actually made the problem...

Hello All, Now that winter is approaching its time to get back into the workshop. I fly an Astir CS (G102) and the elevator has a wavy skin. I note that several Astir's seem to suffer the same problem. Does anyone have any astir parts and elevators lying around that I might use. I am...

Hello, Has anyone got any plans or photos or ideas for towout gear to suit a PW5. I would appreciate anything that would be helpful for ideas. Looks like I may have to make up a set for my Club. Thank you in advance. Regards Jon Dixon

During my first annual with my Phoebus A1, we were looking at the rudder control arm connection and noticed an odd bearing. It's designed to move in multiple axes, so it seems like the bearings being exposed is notmal. But, having not seen such a beast, is there anything to pay more attention to...

Does anyone have experience with the WX block product "Speedcoat?" I am impressed by the new "nano" and "crystal" tech coatings that are replacing old school waxes. Here in Georgia we have moisture environmental issues that exacerbate crazing on our gelcoat. I am a fan of the older WX Block & Seal...

My partner and I are looking for a decent Discus to purchase. We fly with the Pittsburgh Soaring Association in southwestern Pa. We have been looking in earnest for over a year, and are ready to move quickly should the right ship become available. Jim Rosenkranz (412) 417-3571

Just got my Discus back from the shop and noticed the rudder pedal adjustment cable is not attached to the "adjustment mechanism" between the rudder pedals. Can anyone shed some light on how to reattach (is there a diagram somewhere)? I think there may be a spring missing as well. Thanks, Jim

While looking at the UV damage done to the gelcoat on my glider, it reminds me how much UV radiation we are exposed to while soaring. Particularly out west! Coolibar (no affilation) is in the Sun Protection Clothing business. Take a look at their website. They are making some great products...

Due to high fuel and insurance costs, declining flight scheduals, and a year of bad weather, Southwest Soaring announced that it cannot economically continue flight operations beyond 31 December. They plan to permanently close their glider operations on that date, unless a buyer or a new operator...

By all means a second battery should be installed in our electrically driven modern sailplanes. After many years of quickly flipping my 3-position battery switch, and trying not to have my logger to momentarily dropout, I have concluded that is best to use 2 single-pole battery switches. That way...

Good news! I talked to AC Williams (the former owner of SW Soaring. and former 1-26 Champion pilot) this morning, and was gratified to hear that he was feeling well now, and has stopped having to undergo chemo 4 months ago. He is getting his hair back now, and is even considering updating his...

The hot weather canopy closing problem is often due to the plexiglas's high thermal coefficient of expansion, and hot weather. The canopy expansion is much higher than that of most fuselage composites. The manufacturers generally ship their sailplanes with nicely fitting canopies, when the air...

The June-July issue of Gliding Kiwi features an enlightening article about the developement of a new very thin surface mounted passive strip that promises to reduce aerodynamic skin friction drag significantly. The article is complete with photographs, preliminary flight test data, and explanations...

The Ventus A and B models really need a good wing root fairing. Schempp-Hirth realized their mistake years ago, and offered a simple aftermarket fiberglass fairing mod kit. I installed mine during the early 80s, and it really helped the low speed performance. I think it may still be possible to...