Soaring Society of America » All Posts https://www.ssa.org/forums/feed/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 02:03:43 +0000 https://bbpress.org/?v=2.6.14 en-US https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/ground-launch-winch-purchase-or-building-plans-and-where-are-they-available/#post-226875 <![CDATA[Reply To: Ground launch winch purchase or building plans, and where are they available]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/ground-launch-winch-purchase-or-building-plans-and-where-are-they-available/#post-226875 Wed, 30 Jul 2025 21:09:48 +0000 Mark Lambert Have you found a winch yet?

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https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/new-winter-soaring-destination-in-the-southwest/#post-224495 <![CDATA[Reply To: New Winter Soaring Destination in the Southwest]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/new-winter-soaring-destination-in-the-southwest/#post-224495 Fri, 18 Jul 2025 19:59:58 +0000 Mark Lambert We are looking for a chief pilot and CFIG’s for our growing commercial glider operation in Superior Arizona. We have a dual drum purpose built ground launch winch and aerotowing. A competitive salary and relocation assistance is offered for the chief pilot. The instructors will be paid hourly. Urgently looking! For questions or to express interest, call or text Mark Lambert, 480-651-5255.

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https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/silver-c-distance/#post-194846 <![CDATA[Reply To: Silver C Distance]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/silver-c-distance/#post-194846 Sun, 06 Apr 2025 18:00:56 +0000 Kelvyn Flavall Hi William,

Yes you can use the outward leg of any flight for the distance Silver Badge (multiple Soaring Performances can be claimed per flight).

From the FAI Sporting Code Section 3 Gliding 2.2.1.a (Silver Distance) – “A straight distance flight from a start at release to a finish fix located at least 50 km from release and at least 50 km from the fix recorded at the beginning of the take-off roll”

So to attempt to answer your questions.
Firstly, the silver distance doesn’t require a declaration so you don’t have to designate anything before the flight (although the broader context of your question was about an Out & Return flight so perhaps you’re declaring that).
For the actual application I would suggest entering in the “If START & FINISH points are selected post-flight” section
Start Point : Either your release point or the beginning of your take off roll, whichever is the closest to your Finish point.
Finish Point : Select a location that is at least 50 kms from your Start Point. This will be a “Fix” contained in your IGC file that records that you flew to this location. SeeYou will probably be easiest to find a fix as it displays your IGC file graphically.

Some other considerations
1. Loss of Height limits (SC3 2.4.4). As the silver distance can be less than 100 kilometers the 1% rule needs to be paid attention to. So don’t pick a finish point that would attract a Loss of Height penalty if there is another point (also > 50km from the start point) that doesn’t have a LoH issue.
2. (SC3 2.2.1.a) “The Silver distance should be flown without guidance from another pilot”, so don’t team fly with another pilot or seek any advice over the radio.

Hope this helps
Kelvyn

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https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/silver-c-distance/#post-194631 <![CDATA[Silver C Distance]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/silver-c-distance/#post-194631 Sat, 05 Apr 2025 01:38:22 +0000 William Galinaitis Can I use the outward leg of an out and return to fulfill the distance requirement for a Silver Badge?

If the answer is YES, the next question is about filling out the form. Do pick a point along the outward leg from the flight record and use that to designate the “Landing Site” on the Award Application? Or do I need to designate a landing site before the flight and declare that as the landing site and then fly over that point? Like a turn point in a task?

I looked for answers in the forum and could not find any relevant comments.

Thanks

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https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/getting-competition-number-for-new-glider/#post-194507 <![CDATA[Reply To: Getting competition number for new glider]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/getting-competition-number-for-new-glider/#post-194507 Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:39:57 +0000 John Sumner Go here and right side of page Contest IDs

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https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/getting-competition-number-for-new-glider/#post-193934 <![CDATA[Getting competition number for new glider]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/getting-competition-number-for-new-glider/#post-193934 Sun, 30 Mar 2025 18:13:38 +0000 Glenn McGovern I just bought a new glider. I need to get a competition number or letters. Where is the link to whom I have to get a registration competition number application in.
The old registration was RM and I would like to get my initials GM or GMcG or GMG what ever works.
Thanks,
GLENN

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https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/unassisted-towed-takeoff-faa-2024-glider-flying-handbook-errors/#post-193710 <![CDATA[Unassisted towed takeoff FAA 2024 Glider Flying Handbook errors]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/unassisted-towed-takeoff-faa-2024-glider-flying-handbook-errors/#post-193710 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 15:17:02 +0000 Mark Mecikalski The recommendations, both for regular and crosswind takeoff, in the 2024 FAA Glider Flying Handbook, as to which wing to put down before takeoff, are exactly the opposite of the recommendations in the 2013 edition. The 2024 recommendations are wrong. MM

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https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/records-display-chart-suggestion/#post-192590 <![CDATA[Records display chart suggestion]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/records-display-chart-suggestion/#post-192590 Sat, 22 Mar 2025 14:05:00 +0000 Stephen Michalik Good morning,
I review the state and national records display chart provided on the SSA website many times during the year. A spring review is conducted to help plan upcoming cross country flights for the coming season.

An important piece of information is missing from the display charts which I suggest would assist many in planning their flights to accomplish their goals each year.

That piece of information is:
1. For speed records – include the record speed display in KNOTS (along with mph)
2. For distance records – include the record distance display in Nautical Miles (along with statute miles)

I bet I’m not the only one that does this conversion, whether on paper, phone app, PC app, or brain power app.

Thanks for your consideration,
Stephen Michalik 416800

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https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/ground-launch-winch-purchase-or-building-plans-and-where-are-they-available/#post-191333 <![CDATA[Reply To: Ground launch winch purchase or building plans, and where are they available]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/ground-launch-winch-purchase-or-building-plans-and-where-are-they-available/#post-191333 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:28:56 +0000 James Indrebo You can respond here or my email indy0079@gmail

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https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/ground-launch-winch-purchase-or-building-plans-and-where-are-they-available/#post-191332 <![CDATA[Ground launch winch purchase or building plans, and where are they available]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/ground-launch-winch-purchase-or-building-plans-and-where-are-they-available/#post-191332 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:28:19 +0000 James Indrebo Anyone out there have info on winch launches are avaialbe in the wesern USA and if there are ny for sale or plans to purchase to
build one

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