Monthly Archives: October 2021

Editors Note:  Braking systems have evolved well past the skid.  Effective sailplane braking is important to every flight.  Here is an article from Tost on brake maintenance adjustment.  Tost produces some of the most effective sailplane braking systems available today.

By Barbara Dorflein
 

Tost Shoe Brake Wheel

Shoe brake wheel advantages are simple construction, reduced space requirements,

Big and high cumulus days are super fun, especially when all the ducks line up.  That’s the trick, to figure out the day's pattern so that they (ducks) do, as it is on every day and flight.  However, when we fly under large cumulus clouds, it requires a different tact at the day.  Instead of looking down, we must look up, this is to get all available cues from the clouds ahead.  The beauty

Prepare for Landing on Final Glide

As you approach your finish use the last 15 km or so to police up the cockpit for landing and get relief systems, oxygen tubing, and other stuff out of the way of the flap, spoilers and landing gear handles. Drink the rest of your water or sports drink, have a bite of something to eat and go through your checklist early - you have probably been flying a long time

One important aspect to either soaring in the local area or gliding across country, whether it be for leisure or for speed, its important to put all that energy you’ve just gained to good use, after all, we’ve certainly worked hard for it, why not keep some of it!  The local soaring pilot looks to retain their height gained to stay up longer, the racing pilots wants to get around the set task as