Over the last several years I've found it quite annoying that I cannot read the rules and understand the US scoring formula. The calculation of US scores has become encumbered with so many correction factors, devaluation factors and the like that mere mortals cannot relate soaring performance to...

I'm amazed at the number of seeming experts who are littering this site with passionately uninformed opinions yet don't seem to have the credentials or expertise of an infectious disease MD or actual governmental experience. Lets get back to what this site is about: Sharing information about the...

Every year I test my two LiFePO4 batteries to gauge how long they will last during a flight. I decided to open the field a bit and also tested some soaring friend's batteries. You can read about my simple cheap manual process (later automated - see below) here ...

What is the initial new length of the tow ropes that you use? Assuming that you cut off the worn portion near the ring and gradually shorten the rope, when does the rope get too short to use? How often do you measure the rope? Do you usually discard used ropes because of visible wear, reduced...

There are three messages here Your glider may not always enter spin in the same direction you turn or circle. At high bank 50-60 degree in tight turn with high G load your upper wing may stall first. In a split second you can get in accelerated spin in unexpected direction. Scenario could be a new...

I just got notice from SPOT Tracking that they are increasing fees again for my next annual renewal. A few years ago, they added a "network fee" of $9.99 to my bill. That is now going up to $14.99. It looks like for tracking service, yearly fees will go from around $162 to $199.99. So another...

(Title intended to add a bit of levity to serious post.) Soaring can kill you, but how do we put that risk into perspective? A statistics based Mortality Calculator helped me do that. I answered a few questions about my medical profile and age and it told me that statistically I have a 19%...

Not a good past 2 weeks per FAA prelims...midair (no reported injuries, thank heaven!) apparently yesterday, & a takeoff groundloop a week ago Monday. Three "substantially damaged" gliders. IDENTIFICATION Regis#: 101LV Make/Model: CEN Description: CENTRAIR 101 Date: 06/07/2012...

It is my great pleasure to announce a new product by LXNAV, V7. V7 is a standalone digital speed-to-fly variometer and final glide calculator with GPS input and PDA/PNA input/output. It is a great companion to the Ultimate Le, Oudie, PDA or PNA. See details later today at: www.craggyaero.com

Running XC Soar on an Ipaq 2215. The program loaded and runs fine as well as the Flashcard GPS unit. My problem is how do you load the map data into the program? I have gone to the Naviter web site and downloaded the map covering this area,but can't get XC Soar to find it. Ken

The original question stated a glider doing 100kts with/without 100kgs of ballast. Ignoring the stalling speed for the moment, Does anyone out there think the pull-up takes more than 4 or 5 seconds? Does anyone out there think that the sink rate of the unballasted glider at 100kts is more than...

I am not a glider pilot, although I have been up with friends a few times in the past, but I know the basic instrumentation is pretty limited- and for good reason. However, would an AOA indicator increase the efficency of gliding enough at best L/D, min sink and other specific angles of attack...

We imported a DG-505 Elan Orion built at the AMS Flight, d.o.o. (AMS) factory in Slovenia in 2006. It came with a Slovenian Certificate of Airworthiness and an AMS data plate. It was built under a German Standard Airworthiness Certificate which designates AMS in Slovenia as the manufacturer. DG...

I was going to buy a copy of SeeYou from a friend since he uses Strepla for his flight reviews. He contacted SeeYou, and they told him that the license was specific to him only. My understanding of the US Uniform Commercial Code does not allow for single user restraints down to a specific...

80) What is the approximate proper airspeed to use when flying between thermals on a cross-country flight against a headwind? a) The best lift/drag speed increased by one-half the estimated wind velocity. b) The minimum sink speed increased by one-half the estimated wind velocity. c) The best...

Why don't people in SRA and SSA get the message about contest safety? A unnecessary loss of life because the FINISH GATE was used and not a FINISH CYLINDER. Charlie Spratt and the top racing pilots want the finish gate at contests because it is so exciting! All the near misses in the pull ups and...

I'm a relatively new commercial pilot and have had several passengers with NPE...near puke events! Some have been uncomfortable from the moment we start the tow, others at altitude and others while thermaling. I keep the chatter going, recommend steady breathing and to look at the horizon. I make...

I am interested in getting a sailplane and wondering what are the various ways to launch. I am aware of the traditional methods. Example= Steep downhill runway? Maybe I had too much coffee this morning!! I live on Kauai and there are no Gliders on this Island at present. Alo9ha, Les

I am a member of the council for my University gliding club - fairly new compared to most of the people in this forum, but hey i enjoy it. We currently own a K13 aircraft with a (fairly) serviceable trailer. we have been offered an Acro with no trailer, and in order to buy it we will need to sell...

All, I have been looking into having my glider refinished. Casual conversations with other pilots revealed that most think a "normal" refinishing job would cost about $10k. After speaking with Gaines in Georgia, I believe that is wildly optimistic. Gaines charges $60 per hour, and he says the...