Robert Bates wrote: Does anyone know of a good, layman's reference to the differences between airfoils? I've heard some "old-timers" refer to characteristics of different ones, and was wondering if there was an "Airfoils for Dummies" out there somewhere... ;) Thanks! --

Looking to replace the factory/European style tail lights. Although attractive (??) I think they can be confusing for USA drivers following behind it. Any suggestions for improvement and/or making them more USA "friendly"? And also wiring them for USA vehicles. I have seen several trailers...

Hello, Sme 10 years ago I wrote a program for DOS named "Polar Explorer" - designed for analyzing both theoretical and practical aspects of glider performance in any conditions. The program was advertised in the Soaring magazine for a couple of years by CuSoft Research Inc., and some 30 odd copies...

The June 4, 2009 issue of Machine Design has a Sparrow Hawk glider on the cover. The article does a very good job of covering all three of Windward Performance's current sailplane projects. The Sparrow Hawk 13m ultralight, the Duck Hawk 15m racing plane and the Perlan (designed to break the world...

Hi All, I'm working on a project that I can't talk about much, but I was hoping to prevail upon some experts here. I need to analyze some IGC files in my project, and try to use the data to determine the behavior of the glider. As I understand it, the bulk of the IGC file is just a series of...

I am a low time pilot working to get my private rating. I have the opportunitty to buy an H201b Standard Libelle: 1) Is this glider suitable / safe for a beginner like me? 2) How many total hours does a glider like this have of useful life? Regards Miguel

Science - AP New Robotic Gliders Can Soar Under Water Sun Nov 23, 1:17 PM ET By ANDREW BRIDGES, AP Science Writer SAN DIEGO - A century after the Wright Brothers first took to the skies, the world of flight is pushing to new depths.

Which vehicle to tow a glider trailer has been debated ad nauseum on RAS. I have always been a staunch supporter of towing with a full-size truck. After the events of last Thursday, I feel my position is vindicated. I was towing my sailplane westbound on Interstate 40 near Gallup, NM. I had...

Friends: I thought that it would be interesting to start a discussion on whether the FAI and different countries should begin to recognize 18 meters as a separate category for distance and speed records. The class has become very popular, even more popular than was the 15m class when those were ...

I am looking for the equations to determine the speed to fly for a headwind or tailwind. I can calculate the the speed to fly for no wind based on the polar from Equation V (Page 106, 1988 US Version) in Reichmann. He gives a graphical method to determine the speeds for a headwind or tailwind but...

Has anyone every sold a glider without the buyer looking at it? I have my glider listed for sell and the guy is buying without looking at it and sending a cashiers check and arranging shipping....sound familiar. Casey

Her name is Anna, she is a teenager in Poland, now graduating high school. Anna wanted to fly gliders very bad. I have never met a person in my entire life that wanted to learn to fly that bad. The problem is that she has no money to learn to fly. Today the cost of flying in Poland is as high as it...

Do users of Power FLARM need connection with flight computers like Winpilot, XCSoar, LK8000, etc, to show FLARM traffic on the moving map?

Windward has revamped their website (http://windward-performance.com/) and all sailplanes have disappeared from their website. Anybody in the know as to whether they've ceased any production, or sold off the molds etc?

Congratulations to Windward Performance and their new Duckhawk, and Chip Garner for being the USA champion in the 15m nationals at Mifflin. Congrats also to Jerzy S for the overall win. Rick W

Hi, I am looking for a vario which take TE from pitot and static pressure, like the Westerboer, to go with my LX 5000 which has electronic TE. Gilles

No License, Butt, plenty of experience Florida man here... Lived in NW, flown in more than several Gliders. Been winched up, car towed up, Pawnee towed up, worked the winch on way more than 20 flights alone, lots of hours in everything from a Stearman to F-4, 3 place gliders and 2 place gliders......

This pilot made a DEEP entry into the US w/o, apparently, following the laws of the US: https://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-3.0/gliding/flightinfo.html?dsId=7436890 Here is what you have to do PRIOR to flying into the US, regardless of whether or not you are a US...

http://www.proairsport.com/

Hi, I have created a couple of new help documents for Pocket PC users. Pocket PC Tips Pocket PCs are amazing devices. They offer a lot of processor power and a user-friendly touchscreen user interface in a small package. A large market keeps the prices relatively low. However, there are some...