I've watched all the Butterfly videos I could locate. Due to reflection and glare, most do not provide visible needle to needle comparisons with associated electric varios. Please share your flight experiences and observations. What are the obvious 'first run' bugs? Ben

Hello All, I've just completed the work to add KML (for use with Google Earth) as a supported format for the US airspace files available on my website (at http://www.soaringdata.info) and on the airspace section of the Worldwide Soaring Turnpoint Exchange. You can choose to download a compressed...

Hey ! Who're you calling a nerd ? Objective: URL that shows task area geo-image overlaid with Turn and Landing points. Google released its API for mapping. See http://www.google.com/apis/maps/ With a few lines of clever Javascript (ECMAscript, OK, whatever), you can overlay your own data on top...

All, I have been flying with Evergreen Soaring in Seattle, Wa for the past year but will be moving to Tehachapi, Ca for work at the end of this month. At Evergreen I have been developing a local knowledge soaring map using simple google map tools. The map has proven very valuable in documenting...

At long last, the story of how Pez Gets His Diamonds is being published. The Central California Soaring Club was good enough to host it on their website. http://www.soaravenal.com Just click on the Pez logo on the front page. All the back issues are there and at the bottom is the "button" with...

The South African Nationals started yesterday in Welkom - about 260km South West of Johannesburg. What makes this years championships amazing is the participation of Bobby Clifford who is taking part in his 50th consecutive South African Championships. Is there a pilot anywhere else in the world...

What's the solution to this question? What's a good first glider for someone transitioning from a CS77 and wanting the following: - automatic hookups - easy to rig - flaps - well behaved in terms of stall/spin, and - climbs well in weak conditions and runs reasonably well in average east coast...

In a 1-26 no less! It's gotta be true: it's on OLC and it's not even red flagged. Now how many FARs does that violate?

Free beer in two weeks at the Region 6 South contest hosted by Caesar Creek Soaring Club, Waynesville, OH. More info at: http://www.wrightdesigns.com/ccsc/contests/region6/index.html Rob LS-4a "O2"

The local parachute packer doesn't want to repack my chute. He will in fact do so but isn't happy about it. My chute is about 2-3 years old. It was included when I bought the glider. The objection is that the chute is a Strong. He says he has to pack it "upside down". Apparently it's a pain in the...

I would like to tint the canopy on my asw-15. I have heard that plexiglass does have gasses that are constantly released and will damage regular car tint applied to it. Would static cling tint sold from homedepot work for it? Anyone ever seen or heard of a glider tinted with film? The curvature...

Hi, Trig has announced the new TT22 transponder. It is identical to the TT21, except that it is a Class 1 transponder with 250W output. That means it is certified for use up to 35,000 feet. Details: http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/trig.htm The TT21 has been extremely popular.

October is normally a month of strong winds and hissing rain in the middle states such as Oklahoma. Randy Teel made a 6 hour-plus flight in his Glasflugel 304CZ glider! He covered something like 700 miles going up and down the ridges after a launch from Talihina, Oklahoma! This is impressive...

RAS group, I purchased this DVD from Cumulus Soaring a few weeks ago. An amazing flight and DVD, I am very happy with my purchase. I am trying to figure out who did the music at is used at the end of the flight during the landing. Any help would be apreciated.

So you have a choice for a first glider. You're flying in northeastern US, i.e. generally light conditions (when it's not snowing). These 2 planes have roughly similar performance on paper and prices, although they probably handle quite differently and I would guess the 1-35 penetrates better....

http://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/GeneratePDF.aspx?id=ERA15FA259A&rpt=p

Well, what do you think? I'm in the market and both are available with the LS having a higher asking price by a couple of thousand. Assuming similar trailers and instruments, is there a significant performance difference? Most Peg owners seem to love them and there is the DG/LS "tax" to consider....

Add up your ten longest flights, you have made in your lifetime of soaring, and then average them. I was on the phone today with Carl Herold, IV, he just averaged his 10 longest flights, they averaged 699.4 miles. 699.4 miles (statute) is equal to 1,125.58 kilometers, ok,...

Anyone out there have any experience with using a Decathlon for a tug? I have towed with Citabria 7GCBC and wonder how it would compare since it has symetrical (sp?) airfoil vs. the flat bottom of the Citabria. Got a buddy considering both. -Deputy Dog

Preface: I'm in favor of allowing team flying in US soaring competition. I hope it can be practiced in such a manner that the next rule cycle will allow team flying in all US contests. Concern: Air-to-air soaring radio traffic will be more apt to "interfere" with powered aviation management. What...