The KS Duo will be making the competition circuit next year and seats are available at the following contests: Seniors (Mar 8-14), Region 2 (Mifflin, May 24-30), Sport Nationals (Elmira, July 21-30), R4N (Fairfield, October dates unknown). R9 Parowan is filled. The cost is a $200 contribution...

The KS Duo will be slipping the surly bonds at the Logan R-9 contest (July17-23) and reservations are being taken. Cost is $200/day, and this includes white knuckle training, revelation of contest-proven swearword thesaurus, thigh slapping techniques, whistling (optional) and fighter pilot songs...

The KS Duo will be available for back seat contest rides at the following 2011 contests: Sport Nationals Chillhowie, TN May 3-12 Region 2 Mifflin, Pa May 15-21 Region 4N Fairfield, Pa Oct 9-15 The $200 donations will help pay for the new soaring club house at

Any glider operations (clubs, commercial, etc.) have written authority to use the grass next to a paved main runway when the two runways do not meet FAA specs for obstacle free zones or separation? Looking for FAA waivers, local airport authority agreements, or other pertinent...

Seats are available for contest flights at Mifflin (May 16-22), Parowan (June 12-24) and Fairfield (October 10-16). The Seniors is filled. Practice days at Parowan will include end-of-the-day loitering around Zion NP to fly with condors. The donation is the usual $200 which goes to the US Team...

A catered (appetizers and beverages) social gathering is planned for May 9 from 5 - 6:45 pm at the Cordele Airport field, followed by "Charlie's Celebration of Life" at the Rainey Funeral Home at 7:00 pm. (we'll have directions). If inclement weather occurs, the catered social event will be in...

Wednesday through Saturday are open for Duo Discus flights during the Region 2 contest, May 24-30. Contact Karl Striedieck 814 237 7996 karls@uplinkdotnet

Over 100 of Charlie's family and local friends attended a memorial service in Charlotte Saturday, May 18. Charlie's other "family" will gather at Cordele, Ga on Saturday, May 9 for a memorial/celebration in his honor. Social activities will begin around 5PM at the Cordele Airport and then...

Here's another try with the links. Below is information about the Celebration of Charlie Spratt's life on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Cordele GA. Complete information is available at the SSA: http://www.ssa.org To contribute a story/photo, send info to: To indicate your...

A remembrance and celebration of Charlie's life is being planned for Saturday 9 May 2009, during the practice period of the 15-Meter National Championship Contest in Cordele, GA. We encourage all his soaring friends to attend. If you can make it, please click here and supply your information...

With his family at his side, Charlie Spratt died at 7:30 this morning (Friday). A memorial celebration for The Gate will be held May 9 (Saturday) at Cordele, Ga., time and place to be announced. We were so lucky to have him among us. Karl Striedieck

Out and Return Duo Ridge Running Mission Available in KS Duo Cost is $1/mile one-way. (Mt Grove $200/Knoxville $450) Adjusted for level of service requested. All proceeds will go to the US Team Fund.

For all you Spratt watchers, Charlie received a new kidney today (Tuesday). Standby for progress reports. Karl Striedieck

Charlie's kidney transplant procedure was uneventful and he is recovering normally. His sister says he is in good spirits. He said earlier that he is eager to hit the road again and be with his soaring family, although this won't be possible for a few months. Karl Striedieck

Gale Johnson visited Charlie today and reports he is out of the ICU and in a regular room. He had his last dialysis to balance some chemistry and he hopes to be home Monday or Tuesday. The donor had a history of cocaine addiction and although the doctors assured him this had no affect on the...

Charlie is still in the hospital waiting for the transplanted kidney to "kick in." His first transplant, in 1995, required a two-week tour in the hospital, so the doctors are not alarmed. He sends greetings to the multitude of supporters who are cheering him on. Karl Striedieck

Charlie is still slugging it out in the hospital waiting for the new kidney to function. Get well cards sent to his home will get to him in the hospital as well. And he has a birthday Feb 25 if you want to make it a two-for-one effort. He thanks everyone (there have been many) for their concern...

The gate is still in the hospital and had another operation this afternoon. Some "leakage" had occurred which required a stint insertion, and, I'm guessing, repair of the leak. John Good talked to him just after he returned to his room this afternoon and he sounded positive but was in recovery...

As noted before, the soaring at Mifflin could be negatively impacted by the installation of dozens of 450' high wind turbines on Jacks Mountain. Last night at the meeting of SOAR (Save Our Allegheny Ridges) the matter of FAA approval for these potential obstructions was discussed and a request for...

As mentioned here in an earlier post, glider pilots who would be adversely affected by a ridge-top wind turbine complex on Jacks Mt near Mifflin are cooperating with a group named SOAR (Save Our Allegheny Ridges)in an attempt to thwart this project. A quick way glider pilots can help is to vote...