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The local towplane operation has a Pawnee that back in 1996 had an STC from STC Inc. (SA01154AT) modification to the wing attach cluster. Apparently it still requires a wings off inspection every two years. The owner of the operation has heard that there may be an inexpensive permanent fix that...

Today was a struggle to get up to 4000 agl for the start. Thermals were choppie and the lift in the Hobbs area was simply lousy. A MAT for all classes was called with Jal the first turn, but that was changed to Seminole as the first turn for all classes. Sports got a 2.5 hr time, Standard was 3...

I've been daydreaming about flight computers... Not the ones we have now, but the next generation... I haven't seen any significant step changes in the functions the current generation provide... So I started day dreaming... and I came up with a wish-list, (now some of these are obviously...

http://www.pilotoutlook.com/pilot_training/parachute_rigger_menu

I had the honor of giving the Ralph S. Barnaby lecture at the fall Board of Directors' meeting. The title is "The evolution of US contest soaring," which I sort of talked about but couldn't resist adding an editorial here and there. If you're really, really bored at the office, you might enjoy the...

I'm having my glider refinished and the workshop is recommending Nextel paint for the cockpit. This paint has kind of a soft feel to it. I think it's used in K21 cockpits and, in black, it's sometimes used for the cover over the instrument panel since it doesn't reflect light. Does anyone have...

Hi, I have decided to buy a Dell Streak 5" for XCSoar, replacing my old iPaq hx4700. It runs with Android, not Windows CE. We will release a "stable" version of XCSoar for Android in March or April 2011, and this switch to Android in my own glider will give me...

A question: How does Winscore calculate finish altitude on a cylinder finish? I assume it is based on the logger's pressure altitude reading for the closest logger fix after crossing the finish line, but how is that altitude adjusted for the local altimeter setting? Does it compare the...

With his family at his side, Charlie Spratt died at 7:30 this morning (Friday). A memorial celebration for The Gate will be held May 9 (Saturday) at Cordele, Ga., time and place to be announced. We were so lucky to have him among us. Karl Striedieck

Wanted GPS-NAV display..any version considered, any language

I saw this story and it reminded me, has anyone ever tried landing on a curved flat road or something similar to a circular runway? I supposed the banked sides of this concept help. BBC story "Will circular runways ever take...

Hi all in US-glider land, has anyone ever had a glider hauled in its trailer by rail or by truck using one of these car hauling companies from coast to coast (or close to it)? If so, I would like to learn about it. Thanks, Uli Neumann

In recent discussions on accidents, there seems to be an assumption that a common cause is older pilots losing control - perhaps forgetting after fifty years how to do a coordinated turn. I have long suspected that many accidents may have a medical component resulting from the pilot becoming...

Hi all, I have just grudgingly put my Sisu on the market, and the WingsandWheels ad should be on tomorrow or so. I have cut and pasted the ad I submitted though, complete with links to detailed pictures and history. It makes me very sad to let her go, but I am trying to generate cash for another...

There seems to be a fair amount of confusion about the springs used in almost all modern sailplane rudder cables. The springs are there to keep the pedals upright (pulling forward) and to facilitate rudder pedal adjustment through the use of an 'S' tube. Each rudder cable enters the top rear of its...

Scenario # 1: I've got 2 guys (with FAA SEL Pilot Certificates) who planned to come to Marfa, Texas for glider training next week. Neither has a US Passport nor can they obtain a Certified Copy of their Birth Certificate because they are told you need to go to your home town or county to obtain...

Reception is good and, until recently, transmission has been good, as well. Lately, transmission has been intermittent. The radio transmits carrier, but no modulation. I have gotten a few false starts since one time moving the boom microphone caused it to transmit again. Thinking of frayed,...

Does anyone have experience of removing flaking paint from the skin of a metal trailer? About 1/3 of the paint is coming off...I want to strip all the paint off and preferably leave the metal skin 'bare'. Is this just 'buy a big can of paint remover and a large brush' or is it more complicated? ...

20 years ago there was a waiting list to fly National contests. Could it be that nationals today are really designed for a small number of pilots that like 'extreme competition', long task, long hours, new types of tasks, no crews etc. 20 years ago nationals seemed to be designed for a broader...