Does anyone have any thoughts regarding the safety of the Russia AC5M self launcher? The propeller is inches from the pilots head with the engine in the stowed position. How much of a hazard would this be in a hard landing or crash? How safe is the cockpit? I dont much like the location of the...

Anyone have a source for the little hard plastic wingtip wheels that were recessed into the Libelle 201 wingtips? The early gliders didn't have them but I know of at least one owner who got them from Glasflugel and added them later. For those with long memories, W1 (Woody Woodward) installed one...

Is there any update on GP Gliders USA? Last news is Tim McAllister decided to close GP Gliders North America.

Received this morning... see below. Anyone know the issues, particularly the flip side? Thx. best, Evan Ludeman / T8 Dear Evan, I am writing to ask if you could please take a few minutes and call your representative in Congress, THIS WEEK! If you have already called, please call again and...

Saw the document on thanks to John Welsh. Link to UK site below. Jim http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/20170906EASAAD20170167E.pdf

I'm considering replacing the lead-acid tail battery in my LAK-17a with NiMH batteries. I find D cells rated at 1.2v 10 Ah which would be ideal to build up a 12v 10 Ah pack. I've already checked fitment in the sealed battery box using alkaline D cells. Can anyone tell me if these batteries...

Hi folks, I'm in the process of installing new connecting rods in my Ventus B would like to know what everyone is using if any for the slide lube where those connecting rods like to ride. The material that the slide is made out of seems to be impervious to wear so that's good but the rods are...

HI all, I just uploaded a number of George Uveges photos from the 1970 World Championships at Marfa TX. I have another set that I will be uploading in the next day or two. Thanks to George for allowing these to be publicly posted and to the NSM for loaning out the slides for digitization. I now...

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/hang-glider-pilot-sentenced-to-5-months-in-jail-over-fatal-tandem-accident-in-b-c-1.1681084

An email correspondent asked me to explain why low-altitude thermaling is apparently so dangerous. After all, he (and I) have never unintentionally spun at high altitude, so why is it so bad to thermal down low? He suggested the answer might be of more general interest so here it is. --- It's...

Many descriptions have been posted here in several threads on spinning over the last couple of weeks and I have found all of them to be fascinating. I've been prompted to think through again my own understanding of the stall and the spin in gliders. One description that has been strongly asserted...

Hi y'all in US-Gliderland, are the location and dates for the 2013 SSA convention already fixed? Looking at the SSA web-site, it still shows the info for the 2012 convention in Reno. Thx, 'GM'

Is it possible to run the LK8000 PC sim (v2.3) in portrait mode? Cheers, and Merry Xmas to all, Kirk 66

This is about Bill Collum's story in Soaring, "New Sailplane Material". I respect Bill's knowledge and enjoy reading his stories in Soaring. In it he suggests a 50 Lb 15 meter glider will be possible and I don't doubt it. Certainly assembling it would be much easier, but to get...

Some of the recent contests I've attended in the US had trouble getting tow pilots and enough towplanes. One issue was the controversial issue of do towpilots need commercial ratings to tow at a contest. I did just read an article that I wanted to share. I'm a bit behind on my reading but the Feb...

I see that the webpage now has pictures of the latest design, with a bigger prop, and a more streamlined attachment to the spinner. Also a video of it running at Aero. After the flight tests this summer, it will be interesting to get information about its real world climb rate and...

Simple question (for everyone but me!): Is the CFI endorsement to take a private pilot test for a specific category (e.g. airplane, rotorcraft, glider) or a category and class (e.g. airplane, single engine land) or some other classsification (e.g. fixed-wing), or not category or class...

I am in the process of designing the instrument panel/layout for my HP-24. Still a ways to go before I will need it, but it is raining out and my CAD program is running and so is my imagination..........so.............I was reading about the new Tasman Data Module on Paul R's website and see that...

Come on now, what where some of the highlights from this year's convention for those of us stuck at home for various reasons. With no convention next year, there should have been a lot of "new" stuff. Usually RAS is full of post-convention Some information I would love to hear about would...

A year ago I suggested that the way to counter the high Euro was to invest your money and wait. As an investment vehicle I recommended the Fidelity ContraFund (FCNTX). Now, I am not one to make idle suggestions: I am personally heavily invested in this fund. Here are the results one year...