Please advise a hapless victim of software technology. My PC uses Windows XP. How can I validate an igc file ? I can find no way to open a DOS window. With vali-lxn.exe installed, I can tell it to run vali-lxn on a named file. Apparently it does so; I get a second or so of a blue window as it...

Next Saturday from Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi CA. Pilots meeting at 10:00, please register in the coffee shop before then. For your $5 entry fee you get great flying for as far as you are able, a landout and retrieve to remember, a chance to win your unique winner's T-shirt , and...

Next Saturday from Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi CA. Pilots meeting at 10:00, please register in the coffee shop before then. For your $5 entry fee you get great flying for as far as you are able, a landout and retrieve to remember, a chance to win your unique winner's T-shirt , and...

Sunday 11 September, Dust Devil Dash straight-out handicapped distance from Mountain Valley Airport Tehachapi CA. Registration 8:00 a.m. followed by pilot's meeting 10:00 a.m. BBQ the evening before, RV parking on site, retrieve assistance available . Contact Ian Cant 661-821-6609 or...

The situation direct from the fireboss at 3 pm today is that the helicopters are continuing to operate from Mountain Valley, subduing persistent hotspots that are inaccessible to ground firefighters. They expect to continue this thru Saturday, so the TFR is extremely unlikely to be lifted on...

All, The fires have receded, TFRs backed away from the immediate area, Dash is ON for this Saturday. Looking forward to seeing y'all there, Ian

What is the significance of a greyed-out entry and a red V for an OLC flight ? Ian

A reminder to all you serious X-C pilots in the Southwest: the 2012 Dust Devil Dash will take place on the Saturday after Labor Day. September 8, 10:00 a.m. pilots meeting in Ravens Nest restaurant, Mountain Valley airport, Tehachapi CA - mark your calendars now. This is the premier straight-out...

A reminder to all you serious X-C pilots in the Southwest: the 2012 Dust Devil Dash will take place on the Saturday after Labor Day. September 8, 10:00 a.m. pilots meeting in Ravens Nest restaurant, Mountain Valley airport, Tehachapi CA - mark your calendars now. This is the premier straight-out...

Winner was Kevin Wayt, who landed at Burns, OR after amazing 587 mile flight from Tehachapi. Second and third were Garry Dickson and Danny Sorenson. 22 pilots flew, congratulations to all. Weather was beautiful if you were ahead of the thunderstorms, interesting if you had to dodge...

Winner was Kevin Wayt, who landed at Burns, OR after amazing 587 mile flight from Tehachapi. Second and third were Garry Dickson and Danny Sorenson. 22 pilots flew, congratulations to all. Weather was beautiful if you were ahead of the thunderstorms, interesting if you had to dodge...

After a couple of years parked, my flowmeter has lost its ball. I think it's just stuck at the bottom of the tube. Needle valve still regulates oxy flow, but no way to read the rate. Is this common, is it fixable, or must I replace the unit? Ian

Saturday September 6th 2014, Tehachapi, CA. Dust Devil Dash, annual handicapped free distance competition. Vintage, Classic, Fastglass, Two-seater, Motorglider, all ships welcome. Fun for all levels of X-C skills. Enjoy the beauty of Western skies over California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Utah...

Saturday September 6th 2014, Tehachapi, CA. Dust Devil Dash, annual handicapped free distance competition. Vintage, Classic, Fastglass, Two-seater, Motorglider, all ships welcome. Fun for all levels of X-C skills. Enjoy the beauty of Western skies over California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Utah...

Hello, Some college friends and I have been flying sailplanes with the eventual goal of getting into competition soaring. This would not be for a while, but we were wondering if it is common to find competition sailplanes available for lease during a season? If so, what is a 'typical' cost range?...

Hi All I am contemplating getting a transponder for our LS3a. It seems the choice is between either a 175W or 250W Becker "ATC 4401" unit or the Microair "T2000". Has anybody had first hand experience with any of the above? What were your experiences, which unit would you recommend?

Hi All Does anybody out there have FIRST HAND experience of aerotowing with a Rotax engined SF25C Falke Motor Glider. I know these are certified for aerotowing in Europe and that a number of clubs are using them. I am interested in hearing some feedback with regards to performance, costs and...

Hello All There has been quite a bit on refinishing on RAS recently. Most people advocate that when gel-coat starts cracking up, it is essential to remove it ALL. Does anybody out their own a ship which was refinished without removing all the gel-coat? What is the service history of these...

Hi there, I'm not a glider pilot but I am a PhD student in meteorology. I study how clouds form and it seems that the glider community has a lot of knowledge in that area. There is one article in particular I am seeking that may be directly related to my research. I can't find it for free and I...

Hi Folks, Flew Cyd today for the first time in a year. All OK, but the CAV100 is playing up - reads FSD down on normal and FSD up on the averager. I think it's time to get it looked at - can anyone recommend a repairer for these things in the UK? Ian --