Every year at this time, we receive many orders for the new year soaring calendars from people who did not receive one as a gift during the recent holidays. We still have several copies of each of the three calendars still in stock. In case you are not familar with them, the European calendars,...

The Glider Safety webinar will be conducted on Saturday, January 15 beginning at 11 AM. Those of you who have signed up for the webinar at www.eglider.org will be able to log on to the Gotowebinar web site and participate in this first of three sessions. Each person who is registered, will receive...

As a glider pilot, when are you allowed to use a zero altimeter setting? Back in July, I asked the FAA for a legal opinion regarding FAR 91.121. Yesterday, I finally received a response. There is reason for a continued dialog, and I am continuing the discussion with the FAA legal...

Yesterday, Marian Nowak flew his homebuilt sailplane over 1,000 km at Ridge Soaring Gliderport Is this a first? The story about his amazing glider was featured in a recent issue of "Gliding International." Tom Knauff

About 9 years ago, the FAA released their version of the Glider Flying Handbook with numerous errors - many very serious, which can effect glider safety in a negative way. We published our version of this FAA publication (it is public domain) back in 2007 with over 1,400 editorial changes - many...

Several popular glider flight training manuals are now available as ebooks. Glider Basics From First Flight To Solo After Solo The Glider Flying Handbook (2013 edition) Preventing Launching and Landing Accidents Go to vendors such as Amazon.com and enter "Knauff" in the search table.

March 23 / 24 At Unionville Community Center 2 miles from gliderport. Space limited. Please send email to: if you plan to attend. Begins 10 AM Saturday. Subjects will include: Parachutes And Parachuting - Bob Bowers Meteorology Self-Brief – Ward Hindman Lithium battery...

This weekend's, well-attended soaring seminar sposored by Ridge Soaring Gliderport was simply outstanding. All the speakers gave professional presentations full of interesting and important information that will enhance safety and make the pilots better at what they do. Events like this will do...

The recent safety seminar at Jacksonville, Florida this past weekend was very successful, and we will conduct another one at Seminole Lake Gliderport on an up-coming, non-flying day. It will be helpful if we have some idea how many will attend, so please send us an email to ...

For many years, NTSB accident reports indicate flying gliders is one of the most hazardous activities. The good news is the problems are well known, as are the answers. The problem is involving pilots in the discussion to reveal the problems and provide the answers to a large audience. A series...

Doris and I just finished a successful Glider pilot safety clinic and Flight instructor revalidation clinic at Minden, Nevada. Pilots came from nearby states, as far away as Seattle, Washington. We received many positive comments about the value and content of the clinic. Everyone will benefit...

Accident Prevention Flying gliders is dangerous. The “Accident Prevention Manual For Glider Pilots” written in 1992 has been an important and effective tool to train pilots to fly safer. The difficulty is getting pilots to read the manual. The relatively light sales of this book, and the fact...

Word from Europe is the new FLARM is in final testing and May delivery is very likely. Tom Knauff

Among the many long flights at Ridge Soaring Gliderport yesterday, was a 595 km flight flown by 85 year old Bob Harvey in his LS-4. Bob also did very well at this year's Seniors contest at Seminole Lake Gliderport in Florida. Tom Knauff

The next FAA approved Flight Instructor Revalidation Clinic we will conduct will be at Minden Nevada sponsored by Soaring NV Nov 12/13. To register, please phone Laurie Harden at (775) 782 9595. Flight instructors in the area will receive a mailing. Additional FIRC events are being considered for...

Glider Pilot Safety Seminar and FIRC November 12-13 at Minden, Nevada Holiday Inn Express. Sponsored by Soaring NV. The primary goal of this two-day event is to help you be a better, safer pilot, and a better, safer flight instructor. This seminar specifically targets flight safety issues,...

Minden Nevada 2 day FAA Flight Instructor & Glider Pilot Clinic Nov 12-13 16 class room hours Topics include: Launching, launching emergencies, Aerotow, Avoiding Mid air collisions, That Looks About Right landing procedure, Ten Year accident review, Flight Training Standardization,...

Ten Year Fatal Accident Review The NTSB has a web site to do a search of accidents. Many accidents are never reported, however, fatal accidents always are, so the statistics are clear. For the period 2001 through 2011 to this date, there were 63 fatal accidents and 71 fatalities. In addition,...

New AOPA Pilot magazine video Go to: http://www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot/2011/november/challenges_powerless_flight.html Tom

Flight Training and Safety #3 Newsletter has been posted on Facebook and my free newsletter. Sign up at www.eglider.org This newsletter is about preventing launching accidents. Tom Knauff