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...

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...

Charlie "The Gate" Spratt had a surgical procedure done last Saturday that was to correct some chemical/hormone issues that were causing a calcium imbalance and a general lack of energy. As of today (Thursday) he is up and around, feeling better than when he went in to the hospital, and should...

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

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...

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...

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

Following my post last week concerning the missing competitions in the SSA magazine calendar, the February issue arrived with more listings. Unfortunately, the listings concerning 2007 Mifflin, Ceaser Creek and Hobbs contests are erroneous. Mifflin is hosting the 15 Meter Nationals (not the...

The contest calendar in Soaring Magazine is missing most of the contests scheduled for 2007. The 15M nationals at Mifflin County Airport, Pa, May 15-24 is one of them. For a listing of all the nationals and some regionals go to the SSA website and look under...

The Kilo Sierra Duo Discus has openings for anyone wishing to fly on tasks during the Region 9 contest at Parowan, Utah, July 1-7. The price of admission is a contribution of $200 to the US Team. Contact Karl Striedieck at (remove "nospam") or 814 237 7996. Karl Striedieck

Contestants expecting to fly in the 2007 15M Nationals at Mifflin County, and needing commercial lodging should act now due to a conflict with PSU graduation the weekend of May 19 (contest May 15-24). For a list of accommodations check the website at: http://mifflin.soaringweb.net/ On another...

Flying will commence at 05:30 Sunday May 9 at Eagle Field and continue until gravity intervenes or 19:00. 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. Silver Level: Unlimited whistling by P1 Two 60...

There are slots available for the R4N contest at Fairfield, Pa October 10-16. Support the Team, have some fun, even learn something! Karl Striedieck karls at uplink.net