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  1. flinote

    Folding or Feathering Propellers

    Ahh--the auto(mobile) launch! I got my training at Skylark North in Tehachapi, CA--an excellent site and the best in instructors and equipment. After signing off, I went into the San Joaquin valley and we did some of my favorite springtime soaring weekends, including a weekend of...
  2. flinote

    Witold Kasper

    Hi again: I didn't see any replies to the posted photos, so I thought I would add my observations. First, the famous "tip triangle" which was a distinctive design element of the BKB/Bekas has been modified with a hinge line and a (probably ground-adjustable) trimming device which appears to be...
  3. flinote

    Witold Kasper

    Sorry--I'm not going to agree with your observations. I WOULD agree, if most of the bird landing observations were made on flat land; instead, most of the bird landings are made with management of velocity and the gravity well--that is, the bird finds a level below the landing point and then...
  4. flinote

    Cool Video... a Thermal in Action

    BTW kudos to the videographer here. A very fortunate convergence of Met conditions and surface-based materials combined with an alert and aware videographer has produced a fascinating sequence IMO. Thanks for that!! Bill
  5. flinote

    Cool Video... a Thermal in Action

    I live in California--but you should be a glider pilot driving around Arizona in the summer. Depending on where you are and the Met conditions, I have personally experienced so-called "dust devils" that were so strong the locals driving on the highways just stopped and let them march on their...
  6. flinote

    I've been cleared to build...but what? Motorglider!

    I sold my GX-670 to a chicken farmer who was using this motor in a pumping system for large-scale chicken raisng. His motor had failed (unspecified cause) and was high-time so he needed to replace it. My motor was very low-time and had been carefully stored and then brought out and operated...
  7. flinote

    I've been cleared to build...but what? Motorglider!

    Does that mean you've read my post regarding the issue of the cam gear being retained by a roll pin, --and you choose to disregard it?? This is a point of repeated failure with this engine. As previously stated, "it's your @$$, can you afford to lose it?" Bill
  8. flinote

    I've been cleared to build...but what? Motorglider!

    Re: From Spain I disagree with this kind of thinking. Although your quoted numbers have standalone credence, they don't justify the use of the motor(s) overall. Even worse, you state that others have been successful in applying the direct drive concept to power their aircraft. In...
  9. flinote

    I've been cleared to build...but what? Motorglider!

    Re: From Spain I have some experience with industrial v-twins for light aircraft, and I thought I could pass along some helpful insights. About 10 years ago, I started a long-term project which would be a motorglider-style homebuilt using an industrial v-twin conversion. I was aware that I...
  10. flinote

    the bipe and the bros

    Personally, I found it somewhat stressful. The launch had to be just right or you were going to tumble downwind into the next county with the remains of the airframe. Also, the wind velocity was at the high end of the range for hanggliders of the era, and it was wise to watch things carefully...
  11. flinote

    the bipe and the bros

    Hi: I was just going back through some of my old photo files and found this image. It was taken on President's Day 1976. That's me in the Easy Riser, and my brother has just assisted me in a hairy but successful launch at the Guadalupe Dunes near Point Sal, CA. The winds were postfrontal and...
  12. flinote

    Kiceniuk Icarus V airfoil

    Norm: I was active in rigid hang gliding during the Icarus V era (built and flew several Easy Risers), and have some vague recollections. First, the drawing you have posted would appear to represent an airfoil which would be TOTALLY unsuitable for a planform like the Icarus V. Although it has...
  13. flinote

    Witold Kasper

    BTW just a sidebar here: One of the stills, as well as the video, shows how the pilot is consistently ABOVE the towplane (it's commonly referred to as the "high-tow" position among the sailplane guys), and there's a very good reason for it. In swept wings, if you approach the downwash of the...
  14. flinote

    Witold Kasper

    Well, I think I've made an interesting discovery. Look at this website: Pliki u --although it's in Polish, several things are obvious. First, there are 2 nice color images (stills) of the BKB-1 in flight. More importantly, if you go to the videos link you will find 2 vids; the first...
  15. flinote

    Witold Kasper

    Stefanie: FWIW I donated my set of BKB-1/BEKAS plans to TWITT--they should be in the archives and hopefully Andy can provide details if you desire. This set was purchased from Kasper and is in original condition--as I recall the separate plan sheets were duplicated on rolls of blueprint...
  16. flinote

    Let's tell our own stories about the fastest climbs ever experienced!

    Your 152 story reminds me of the time I drove to Lone Pine CA for a weekend of soaring. We arrived about mid-afternoon (long drive) and I decided not to fly that day. The tow pilot (who was flying the "acro" version of a 152) checked in with us, and then decided "to go flying" for fun...
  17. flinote

    Witold Kasper

    Hey Norm: Have you stayed in touch with Stefanie Brochoski? I'll bet she would be grateful to find out where the remains of this aircraft are. If you don't know maybe you should contact Andy or somebody in TWITT (I haven't been a member for some years now). FYI for others not aware...
  18. flinote

    Let's tell our own stories about the fastest climbs ever experienced!

    Great story! Yes, evening thermals are fun--they're usually smoother. I almost BOUGHT the Mitchell Wing kit manufacturer, in 1979 or 1980. The guy had been licensed by Mitchell to sell kits and had a helicopter repair/inspection operation near Porterville airport, so he had the room and the...
  19. flinote

    Let's tell our own stories about the fastest climbs ever experienced!

    Bruce: Sorry for the slow reply. I've been out of soaring for some years now, after having been so heavily involved "back then". It's just too expensive for my retirement budget. I "ricky-raced" with Mario (CM) and others for years in the valley. The contests in the spring there became my...
  20. flinote

    Let's tell our own stories about the fastest climbs ever experienced!

    Topaz: Nice!! Thanks for participating, I was afraid I would be lonely here. I learned at Crystalaire, and flew a 1-26 there quite a lot. There were some nice days when I got to 12K feet or so there, and looked down into the LA basin. I have a soft spot for the 1-26 and I can understand how...
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