On Thursday, February 14, 2013 8:03:54 PM UTC-8, johnhamish wrote:
THE MARCH 2013 ISSUE OF GLIDING INTERNATIONAL



The March 2013 issue is about to go in the mail. Another 64 page

issue that has a spread of news and photos from around the planet.

Another issue with some great reading plus a wealth of new press

release stories for soaring pilots wherever you are. Just some of the

stories we report on:



• We print an interview with Bogimil Bereś – the creator of the

‘Diana.’ Few would even know his name, but he reveals his background,

the tortuous path the production of the Diana has taken, it’s future

and how he is battling to get it type rated. AND he has let slip that

he has already done some design work on a two seat 22 metre Diana

which will be a ‘turn up’ for the sailplane manufacturing industry. He

believes he already has a backer. He lets us into some back ground on

what goes on in the Polish sailplane manufacturing industry. This is

one of the best stories we have ever printed.



• Aldo Cernezzi reports this issue on the Silent Electro - his

second in depth report on a new sailplanes. This sailplane has an

electric motor in the nose capable of self launching and cruising.

Aldo gives it a ‘thumbs up’. A real fun 40:1 sailplane at an

acceptable price for the sheer enthusiast, who doesn’t give a fig

about competitions. A comprehensive educational report.



• Gliding fatalities world wide, are up 26 Percent in 2012. Our

annual report of gliding statistics (for 2012) shows that the sport

has also lost its greatest number yet of flying members during the

year under review. An absolute myriad of information for everyone

associated with the sport, especially I.G.C. delegates



• Ritz reports on the 32nd World Gliding Championships held at

Chaves, Argentina. Full scoring report. Ritz gives a broad report on

the three classes and tells it as it happened.



• Maria Szemplinska produces some original new photographs for

soaring pilots to ‘ogle’ over. She is a world leader in gliding

photography



• NASA joins two sailplanes together with a new concept for launching

rockets. See what they have done to two Ventus’. More details in this

issue



• Lithium ion batteries are under the microscope. We have done some

research following the grounding of the Dreamliners to tell you just

how or how not they are in regard to safety. We reproduce photos of

the installation of Lithium batteries in the Antares sailplane which

will surprise many.



• Can you imagine a safety helmet made of cardboard? We couldn’t but

they now exist! It opens up all sorts of possibilities. More in this

issue.



• And there is the story about the soaring pilot who over flew a

power plant to only spend a day and half in prison without being

charged. It could happen to you!



• The European Aviation Safety Agency has taken a complete review of

the laws they have previously wanted to enforce. What an about turn!

A message here for your CAA to take a leaf out of their new book.



• And we introduce a new gadget that will be an absolute must for

competition pilots wanting to load their sailplane up with ballast.

You would think it was just made for competition pilots alone.







PLUS A MULTITUDE OF OTHER INTERNATIONAL STORIES THAT PROVIDE GREAT

READING.



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www.glidinginternational.com

I saw the cardboard helmet article on another source and thought the technology has some promise for improving crash worthiness of our cockpits. I could easily see generating a grid that fits between the seatpan and the outer shell of the fuselage that could absorb a significant amount of energy while deforming to protect the pilot's spine. It will be interesting to see if that's where the GI article is headed or if they have other ideas. 3D scans of the seat pan and fuselage would allow development of laser / waterjet cutting files to allow this to be cheaply produced and shipped.

Food for thought,
Craig