Hello All, It is that time of year again. If you haven't done so in awhile, it would be a great time to update the airspace and airport databases in your glide computer, PNA, handheld GPS, or desktop planning software in preparation for the upcoming US season. I've made the FAA data for the...

Ramy Yanetz kindly pointed out an important glitch and both of these have been updated. The new Hollister files end in 2b and the Williams files end in 2a. If you have downloaded either of these sites within the last week, please get the new release ASAP. apologies for the guff-awful! John...

Hey group! We are very excited to announce that a Sunlight readable Oudie will become available shortly (mid April) and maybe even more significantly that we went into considerable trouble and will be be able to upgrade your old Oudie too! Full news announcement is...

Hi Pilots, The 2012 Colorado Performance Soaring Seminar is less than two weeks away. We have a large response with over 100 pilots signed up on Evite. If you haven’t reserved a spot, please RSVP to the site ASAP. If you haven’t received an Evite, please contact me and I will send one...

here is a video I took yesterday in ridge and wave lift. I am flying my Tetra-15 (HP-24) Brad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpsqUJlBqLw&feature=youtu.be

I've been flying some local Condor races with some of our club members, and we're thinking about trying a ridge task with the Mifflin scenery for a change. My impression was that Condor didn't simulate ridge lift very well. When I flew Mifflin the last time, I had set a ridiculous 30-knot wind...

I wrote a new article on how to use computers to help judge glides. http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/john.cochrane/soaring/docs/safety_glides.pdf or the first item here http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/john.cochrane/soaring/index.htm#maccready This will probably end up in Soaring sooner or later,...

needs a little work. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=276309655

We would like to replace the current vario in our 1-26 and wonder if anyone has a Winter 80mm vario in knots that they would be interested in selling? Thanks, Steve Vihlen

New release of flyWithCE Logbook application (that comes with flyWithCE Flight Recorder) is available. The update is free of charge and you can download new version from http://www.flywithce.com/download web page. Selecting IGC flight that you would like to upload to on-line championship is...

Due to the evident unavailability of a replacement drogue parachute, I am considering deleting the chute on my experimental catagory phoebus C. Anyone have a nice rudder from an A or B model without the chute box? Also, I am thinking of building a mold to reproduce the sun shield over the...

We are planning to add a winch operation at our airport (H71) in the eastern Oklahoma area. If you are operating a winch, what are you doing for liability insurance? How much are you paying? Thanks for your time! Randy Teel Tulsa, OK

The audio alert warning on the PowerFlarm works as intended in gliders. However, in self-launch or motorgliders while the engine is on and in tow planes, the audio is of no use unless connected through to the headset. I find a bright LED indicator gets my attention, so built this as a portable...

Outstanding Jantar 2a for sale. Less than 800 hours and loaded. e-mail for details.

What are the Pros and Cons of a soaring club becoming a 501(c)(3) operation? Our club has 25 members and growing. We own 3 gliders and a Piper Pawnee. We rent 2 hangars at a public airport for our equipment. Thanks for your time! Randy Teel Tulsa, OK

I haven't been able to access Soaring Cafe for the last few days. Anyone else having his problem? Lane XF

In his lab at Penn, Vijay Kumar and his team build flying quadrotors, small, agile robots that swarm, sense each other, and form ad hoc teams -- for construction, surveying disasters and far more. If these things can keep from running into each other, why is it so hard to design and implement a...

Just a heads up about something I'm now too familiar with. If you are considering a partnership in a glider, it is probably wise to limit the number of people involved to a maximum of 3. I now know that with 4 people, the insurance becomes highly restrictive, unless you pay significantly more and...

I would like to know the Pros and Cons of a Soaring Club becoming a 501(c)(3) organizations. We have 25 members and growing. We own 3 gliders and a Piper Pawnee. Thanks for your time! Randy Teel Tulsa, OK

Hi All, Had an incident today where a 2-32 canopy flew open in flight while on tow and hitting some rotor. Long story short, successful landing, but the cromoly tubing frame of the canopy is severely sprung and needs to be repaired or replaced. Would anyone happen to know where abouts of a 2-32...