The Dash is almost here. The Kowbell of the West! September 8, 2018, Annual Dust Devil Dash - Mountain Valley Airport (L94), Tehachapi, CA. This is a one day, straight out CH-handicapped distance event. The entry fee is $5.00. Briefing is at 9am on the 8th. Register before the briefing if...

Hi, About 6 months ago the manufacturer of the very popular Canopy Caps became unable to continue production. I hope they will be back in business in the future. I have now found a very nice alternative source for very similar products here in the USA - the SimplyKool Metallic Canopy Covers. ...

We have run various tests with high temperatures rechargeable batteries and PowerFLARM. I will spare you from the details, but the conclusions a 1) Recharging must take place in an area where the ambient temperature does not surpass 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35C) as otherwise the PF charging...

Great to see some new solid marketing efforts for the sport of soaring and sailplane racing popping up, albeit in Europe. http://youtu.be/dwMFXd2wNx0

Hi everybody. My turbo engine on Ventus goes out really slow. (new battery, new pneumatic gas strut). The thing is that the red light is ON all the time on Ilec instrument when in transit. I also disconnected the spindle drive, and it was the same thing also if engine was not attached to it. Now...

This year, we have removed the one contest limit on Junior contest fee rebates. Fly as many as you can and claim the rebate. Other requirements are the same as prior years. John Godfrey (QT) RC Chair

I have an old Oudie (first gen), and was wondering if anyone has opened up theirs to replace the battery? The battery life on mine is going south at a rapid pace, and I think I may be due for a new battery. Pete

Anyone know of a source for new l'hotellier fittings? I received an email from the son of an home builder in the Ukraine asking about a source for these fittings. He found my name from my web site where I described adding wederkind sleeves to l'hotellier fittings on a DG glider. One possible...

I am pleased to announce IGC-approval for the LXNAV Nano 4 Flight Recorder from LXNAV of Celje, Slovenia, for "all flights" including world records. This is a small stand-alone recorder with a screen, and sensors for engine operation using both low and high frequency noise. The low frequency...

Looks like they recapitalized and set up a new entity to buy up all the assets from the old business. Good news, would have been a pity to see such an innovative and well made glider disappear: http://www.lange-flugzeugbau.de/htm/english/news/news_01_11_2007.html It suggests that all the key...

So far I've had little luck finding any replacement parts for my abused Pik project here in the USA. It looks like I'll need rudder pedals, stick, trim, flap mechanism, and all of the linkages for the cockpit. Does anybody else in the world have any Pik salvage with usable parts? Gary...

It seems that late winter has been frigid in Europe. See: http://www.esa.int/export/esaEO/SEM980P256E_index_1.html One presumes discussions of global warming are at a low ebb. Bill Daniels

Hi, Any experience with booking systems for members and the usual single seater fleet? What do other clubs use? Thanks -- ----------------------------------------------- http://www.sgi-extremelinux.com

I notice that a Schweizer 2-32 with a published L/D of 33 is handicapped at 1.500. This seems like a great bargain, the same as a Falke SF-25C at 1.500 but with only about 22 L/D. Are there other equally great deals out there ? Or any outstandingly heavily handicapped types ? Ian

I was browsing a CompUSA today and came across what looks like nearly the perfect camera for taking photos from the cockpit. It's a Kodak V570. 5 megapixel and a 23mm equivalent wide angle lens. Here's a review: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/kodak/v570-review/index.shtml The camera's tiny,...

You all will be pleased to know that I got silver duration today. The old Cherokee II and I were launched just after noon and landed around suppertime. Lift was strong in central Iowa today. 3-500 fpm was the norm. My best climb came at about 4:50 PM with a 600 fpm climb up to 8700 MSL, about...

If anyone can point me to resources on the following SUA topics I would be most gr8ful: 1) DAFIF file format, specifically, descriptions of the fields (and their relationships) in the BDRY.TXT, BDRY_PAR.TXT, SUAS.TXT, and SUAS_PAR.TXT files. (These are the four files used by Carl...

Wanted.. L/S nav for 2 seater, or condider rear unit repeater only

Our Soaring Club in Vermont, USA is looking to purchase an ASK-23B with trailer. If anyone has information on one For Sale, Please let me know. Thanks. Bill Batesole

Wanted: Roadworthy enclosed 15m trailer in Southern California. Can be purchase or (better) tax-exempt donation. John H. Campbell Collegiate Soaring Association http://www.ssa.org/Collegiate.asp