Sad news,

I just learned from avweb.com that glider pilot and ME 163 rocket test pilot
Rudy Opitz has died. He was a remarkable man.

He also flew a Horton flying wing glider to victory in a U.S. soaring
contest many years ago. I had the pleasure of meeting him after a talk he
gave at an SSA Convention many (15?) years ago.

He was also a part of the team of glider pilots that flew the very
successful attack on the Fort Eban-Emael castle during WW II. I believe it
was the first time gliders were used for a military attack. He describes
the attack in the interesting "Silent Wings" video:
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/videos.htm#SilentWings.

He certainly lived a full and interesting life!

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#202518

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ctp...&pid=142633817

A life well lived Rudy!

Paul Remde