Soaring Society of America » All Posts https://www.ssa.org/forums/forum/general/feed/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 02:29:21 +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?

]]> 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.

]]> 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

]]> 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

]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/built-in-the-usa-sailplane/#post-189045 <![CDATA[Reply To: BUILT IN THE USA SAILPLANE]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/built-in-the-usa-sailplane/#post-189045 Wed, 26 Feb 2025 14:07:55 +0000 Ulrich Neumann One other aspect of the reluctance of US-manufacturers to domestically build a glider may be the product liability laws here, which do not exist in the same form in other parts of the world. This was the main reason for Cessna to start building/assembling single engine planes in Reims, France. If I remember correctly, they were C182s. We had one of them stationed on our field in Germany and it was labeled ‘Reims-Rocket’.
Soaring is unfortunately categorized as a high risk activity in part due to the stupid things people do. Remember the ‘Zuni’ accident which almost bankrupted the designer after being sued by the estate of the pilot? If a domestic manufacturer wanted to buy insurance against these kinds of law suits, one couldn’t pay for the glider.

Uli

]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/built-in-the-usa-sailplane/#post-188990 <![CDATA[Reply To: BUILT IN THE USA SAILPLANE]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/built-in-the-usa-sailplane/#post-188990 Wed, 26 Feb 2025 04:25:07 +0000 Alan Kirlin Thanks. At least someone is out there.

I don’t know anything about this, but I think it’s a shame that we can’t produce a competitive sailplane even a better one.
We have the technology.
There are many US aircraft manufactures making costs, or possibly a profit.
Just look at the companies building Air taxis.

Well thanks for your comments.

Alan Kirlin

]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/built-in-the-usa-sailplane/#post-184478 <![CDATA[Reply To: BUILT IN THE USA SAILPLANE]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/built-in-the-usa-sailplane/#post-184478 Tue, 28 Jan 2025 22:44:01 +0000 Ulrich Neumann Hi Alan,

I just saw your post here. This is a touchy question which I asked myself for a long time.
The cost of labor in the US is certainly a factor but it is definitely higher in Germany. I can’t comment on the labor rates in eastern Europe or South-Africa – it may be lower than in Germany or the US.
There was a very promising Std. Class design in the US, which had all the potential to give the German counterparts a good run for the money (Genesis) but no US manufacturer could be found. One of the reasons I remember was the question of ‘Product Liability’, which scared any potential manufacturer away. The glider was then produced in Lithuania, which had its own challenges.
There were two promising other US-design in the 13m and 15m class, the SparrowHawk (13m) and DuckHawk (FAI-15m) by Windward Performance. Their performance was impressive but production has apparently been halted. I think the numbers didn’t add up for the manufacturer to continue producing them.

>> Tariffs on imported sailplanes are high and expected to rise. With Trump in office Tariffs could go sky high. We could be paying 25% or more. <<
I imported a factory-new two-seat trainer about three month ago and the glider and trailer cleared customs without any import duties. That is not to say that this will continue to be the case with the new administration, which has been very unpredictable so far. I hope that gliders will continue to ‘fly under the Radar’ of the US-Customs (pun intended! ;-) )

Uli Neumann

]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/commercial-glider-written-exam/#post-184139 <![CDATA[Reply To: Commercial glider written exam]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/commercial-glider-written-exam/#post-184139 Sun, 26 Jan 2025 12:08:28 +0000 Andrew Riel The memory aid I use to remember: power to power, no written; powered to unpowered, no written; unpowered to power, written required.

]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/commercial-glider-written-exam/#post-182508 <![CDATA[Reply To: Commercial glider written exam]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/commercial-glider-written-exam/#post-182508 Mon, 13 Jan 2025 03:38:44 +0000 Glenn McGovern I checked with the Baton Rouge FSDO Office who confirmed if you have a SEL Commercial rating you just need an oral and the check ride and do not have to take a written commercial. Thanks for the help.

]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/built-in-the-usa-sailplane/#post-173931 <![CDATA[BUILT IN THE USA SAILPLANE]]> https://www.ssa.org/forums/topic/built-in-the-usa-sailplane/#post-173931 Sat, 07 Dec 2024 21:07:42 +0000 Alan Kirlin Maybe someone would like to comment on why there is not a competition sailplane being manufactured in the USA.
I sure everyone will say the cost of labor here in the USA is too high.
But there are many small aircraft businesses in the USA that produce great airplanes and make a profit, so why not sailplanes.
Tariffs on imported sailplanes are high and expected to rise.
With Trump in office Tariffs could go sky high. We could be paying 25% or more.

I think it’s time that SSA devotes a regular column to the discussion of a competitive USA built sailplane.

Alan Kirlin
OneRogueCloud

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