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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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

Saturday, March 31, 2012 begins at 0900 EST A review of glider accidents. The difference flying Western mountains compared to Eastern mountains. What organizations need to to do to enhance safety. How to prevent launching accidents, which account for 40% of all glider fatalities.

I need a photo of the West slope of the White Mountains, South of Minden, Nevada - preferably looking South from a relatively low altitude to show during Flight Instructor and Safety Clinics. Thank you Tom Knauff

For those of you attending the FAA approved Flight Instructor Revalidation Clinic in Frederick, Maryland Feb 11 / 12: please send me an email so I can send you driving directions. All flight instructors for all types of aircraft can revalidate their rating by attending this event (and passing the...

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,...

Most of you who read this newsgroup did not sign up for the glider safety webinars conducted the past two weekends. Please consider signing up for the last of the three scheduled webinars being conducted this next Saturday morning. (USA Eastern Standard Time) Maybe you really do know everything...

The 2nd of three glider safety webinars is this Saturday. Broadcast begins at 10:30 AM EST with the seminar beginning at 11:00 Cost is $20 for each person; under 21 only $10. Sign up on our web site www.eglider.org. A follow-up email with log-in instructions will be sent to each person. Groups...

During today's first webinar, we covered glider accident statistics and preventing launching accidents (40% of glider fatalities) in a session that lasted nearly two hours. A few pilots had difficulty logging on to the session. Comments so far are very favorable. The cost is far less than for gas...

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...

We will run a test of the Glider Safety Webinar program this Saturday, beginning at 10:30 EST (USA) The test will run for about 45 minutes. This will allow those of you who have signed up to log on and see how the program works. Space for this test is limited. Instructions for logging onto this...

Just to keep everyone informed, the first Glider Safety Webinar will be conducted Saturday, January 14th. We plan to use the program, "Go to webinar" to accomodate the expected number of participants. They offer a free one month subscription, however, we learned this does not apply to groups more...

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...

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