Pilots who have participated in a recent SSA Sanctioned contest are being polled in an attempt to persuade the rules committee to adopt a MIRA (Mandatory if Rentals Available) rule for 2011 SSA sanctioned contests. The proposed rule will require all contestants to submit, after each contest...

Does anybody know the text book answer to the "Procedure for Lost Radio Communication" between the glider and ground crew during a cross country flight? What answer would you give if asked during a checkride? Thanks

I haven't even looked, but I'm guessing there is still a requirement in the contest "rules" to have contest numbers under the wing, etc. I'm thinking of removing my under wing contest number and not replacing it - is anyone aware of any contest where not having a contest number under the wing...

What's the minimum realistic climb rate that should be acceptable for self-launch? I've heard things like 1:4 ratio of thrust to MTOW (where thrust is approximated as 3x motor/engine power), but planes like the Silent 2 Electro and miniLAK FES seem to exceed this somewhat, with the miniLAK FES...

Excellent small crew vehicle. 97000 miles, original owner, all service records, very good condition inside and out. V6 engine, 20+ MPG on the highway, air conditioner. Sleeps four, pop-up top, propane stove and heater, propane/battery/120VAC refrigerator, sink, outside shower, fresh and gray...

I called Costello insurance today for a quote. Boy was I suprised. For an antique ASW-15 it's just under a thousand dollars a year. Other club members, with more expensive gliders and less experience than I have, get insurance for half of what I was quoted. Costello gets insurance through AIG. ...

Is this an alternative? http://www.sandia.aero/?q=STX165

A couple of very good perspectives HERE...

Hi, Does anyone know the difference between an LNav and and SNav? I know historically the LNav was positioned as a 'budget' SNav, but looking at the manuals for the current versions there doesn't seem to be any appreciable difference between the two. If anyone could outline the 'family tree' for...

Surprisingly no one has posted this before now. There is a high plateau just north of the airport. A basalt cliff drops several hundred feet to the valley (and airport) below. Most soaring is done on the plateau. There is a temptation to try to squirt over the rim if you get low, even though there...

Can anyone supply a polar curve for a current 18m sailplane? Ideally the Ventus 2cxT, although Schempp-Hirth polars seem to be unobtainable. I already have the Dick Johnson review of the ASH-26E, so will use the polar from that if all else fails. That said, if anyone has a curve for a...

Well, now I've done it. I've changed the tail number of my glider, and I'm in the process of getting a new experimental airworthiness certificate. My glider currently is certified as: "Experimental: Exhibition and Air Racing." The DAR (FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative) says that I am...

Each side of the landing gear of the Pawnee is fastened with 3 bolts. Each fore and aft outboard bolts connect through 2 sets of tabs welded to the lower fuselage longeron. Our right hand gear is slightly loose at the forward attach point . Either the holes in the 2 tabs are worn out-of-round...

As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading this group. I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate the subjects here. I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what you could do individually, and for the beauty of...

U¿ytkownik "M B" napisa³ w wiadomo¶ci ... Winds are always FROM Hmmm...so where does an offshore flow come from? Do offshore winds come from the sea to the shore? Really? ;-P -winking and sticking ...

Wanted GPS-NAV display..any version considered, any language

Been trying to upload the day's flight but can't connect to the OLC website. Anyone else have problems?

We've heard alot of arguments for and against instituting FAI rules in the US. For the record, I lean towards the FAI rules. If we want to win at the world level we ought to be selecting pilots under the same rules system that they will fly in the WC. That being said, the recent Junior Worlds...

Haven't flown either one, but have flown the ASW17, and liked it. Would like to avoid gel coat issues. Thanks all, Rich

Today was a struggle to get up to 4000 agl for the start. Thermals were choppie and the lift in the Hobbs area was simply lousy. A MAT for all classes was called with Jal the first turn, but that was changed to Seminole as the first turn for all classes. Sports got a 2.5 hr time, Standard was 3...