Tag Archive for 2014 wgc

2014 WGC: How to Avoid a Mid-Air Collision

Today’s pilot meeting included a safety talk about mid-air collisions from the competition Chief Steward Robert Danewid. From 1974 to 2013, there have been 58 mid-air collisions involving gliders. Gaggle flying seems to be the culprit for many of these collisions. Some possible solutions to reducing such collisions include: 1) Giving a bonus to pilots…

Morning Routine

The sun rises in Leszno about 4:00. We sleep a little later than that, but SS and DB are usually on the airfield between 6:30 and 7:00. By7:30, the entire U.S. team has arrived and is assembling. It is to the advantage of the big-winged planes to weave through the trailers and to the scales sooner rather…

U.S. Team WGC 2014, Opening Ceremonies

At the 2012 World Gliding Championship in Uvalde, the U.S. team contrived to be first in the parade by walking under the sign “America.” This year, the U.S. team was last, strangely, behind team Uruguay. One hundred thirty two pilots, and many more crew members, marched down Ulitza ? to the Rynek, or Town Square.…

On the Fly — WGC 24 July 2014: Team USA

Today is the third of four official practice days, and the rain is relentless. Captain Dennis Linnekin took advantage of the weather to call a complete Team USA meeting: all six pilots, full crew, and interpreter Greg Swiderski. Then he made a few observations and exhortations. The runway situation is great. There is a well-marked…

XXXII OSTIV Congress, Leszno, Poland: Call for Papers

The XXXII Congress of the “International Scientific and Technical Organisation for Soaring Flight” — Organisation Scientific et Technique Internationale du Vol a` Voile (OSTIV) — will be held at the site of the 33rd FAI World Gliding Championships in the Open, 18m and 15m Class, at Leszno, Poland from 30 July to 6 August, 2014.