I've recently started flying a Ventus2. I can't rig the thing without a lot of struggle. The trouble is, there's a cover above the spars and you can't see anything once the first wing is in. I struggle to get the second wing to fit, never knowing whether it's a bit too high or a bit too low....

Hey all, I trailered a (new to me and a partner) glider from Ontario to Alberta last week and through the trip blew out both trailer tires on the late-80's aluminum Cobra trailer and destroyed the fenders on the trailer through the event. The first blowout (1:15am east of Madison, Wisconsin)...

With all this discussion going on now, maybe someone with some knowledge or experience could enlighten us on the consequences of 10 or more sailplanes in a tight gaglge all squawking the same info. Will ATC see them all? Or will interference and/or filtering software at ATC make some or all of...

There is an interesting discussion here at http://www.postfrontal.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5589&whichpage=6 with a lot of pictures I have taken out of new PNAs with 800-900 nits displays. This PNA has also a spare RS232. I am searching for a Dell Streak to compare, but it is was gone out...

I have just posted up to Al's Gliderforum a german language copy of an overhaul manual for the Solo 2350 2-stroke engine as used in all of Schempp-Hirth's sustainer models, as well as the Ventus CM and the new LS-8t sustainer model. This document is quite complete with a good number of color photos...

The US distributor of Aeros hang gliders has announced that the Ukranian company's ultralight sailplane has had it's first flight. This craft was built using the wing of Aero's rigid wing hang glider, the Stalker. It was designed to be towed up by the same tugs hang gliders use. I wonder what...

N105WR, 1993, SN 24217, 820 hrs, second owner, great condition, S/N 10b, Dittel radio, Winter vario, vertical card compass, cobra fiberglass top trailer, wing leading edge mod (ASW-24b profile), factory winglets, water bags, two batteries, oxygen, tow out gear, Wing Rigger, Strong parachute,...

In the latest edition of Soaring magazine there is an article about TLAR. For those not familiar with TLAR, it is a landing approach teaching method that is based on angles as opposed to elevations and distances. Using angles automatically compensates for variations in altitude. On downwind , if...

I regularly get safety alerts (bulletins, notices) from the FAA and AOPA, but I never get one from the SSA. I went digging to see if the SSA had a similar program. I went to SSA home page, then to SSA Partners..........Hmm, safety isn't a primary concern of the SSA and is relegated to a soaring...

What is the maximum altitude (about) when the mobile phone becomes useless? PeterK

(per FAA Flight Advisory) You might want to factor this in to your badge or record attempts as the GPS trace may be unusable or have holes in it. This would be especially true at higher elevations like wave flights. The effected area is huge, covering most of Nevada and southern California. For...

I noticed the Ventus 3 took 3 of the top 5 in the 18 meter class. Looks like to me they have come up with a very fine ship. I haven't seen one in person yet, look forward to that day.

Replogle for sale, with case, blank graphs. Very good condition. $125 plus shipping. E-mail Kurt

I am interested in learning if other soaring clubs have a Janus 2-seat glider in their fleet, which model they have, its suitability as a club ship and whether they would recommend one to a club that was looking for a 2-seat cross country trainer. If you have other personal experience in the Janus,...

I wanted to replace the Cobra wing wheel I had been using because 1) it goes with the ASH26e I have for sale and 2) the tire scrubs the tarmac as I go around turns, putting stress on the wing. I ordered the CA WingWheel from Craggy Aero because the wheel swivels with the direction of...

Our club has a K8 with extremely uncomfortable seating arraignments. Basically we are using a combination of foam pieces and misc cushions to try to make the glider usable. After about 2 hours, it is pure torture. The basic glider has a metal seat pan that covers the landing wheel. The seat...

The Sparrowhawk is the worlds most fun to fly sailplane available hands down. Jim Payne just set 8 new USA National records in a Sparrowhawk in 2009. WOW!!! No other standard sailplane comes close to it's maneuverability and agility due to it's low weight and low moment of inertia due to the...

I would like to retire our old Barographs and replace them with a portable Flight Recorder that could be rented to candidates for SSA badges. Does anyone have any suggestions for a portable flight recorder which would meet the badge requirements? Thanks. Carl Baxter Turf Soaring

Does anyone have any experience towing a single place glider trailer with a Ford Ranger or Chevy S-10? I am considering purchasing one of these trucks, but am concerned they may not have enough mass to be stable while towing a trailer.

Hello All, I am looking for real world reviews of the Puchacz (or the newer Perkoz) in the club / instructional environment. How do they hold up to daily use/abuse? Maintenance issues? How are they for ab-initio? Truth to the spin-eager rep? Any bad habits?