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Written by Jean-Claude (JC) Hauchecorne
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Sunday, 06 April 2008 12:26 |
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I started my soaring "career" in Switzerland in 1973 flying a hang glider...
 In those early days, soaring was limited to ridge lift, and whenever we found some ridge lift, let me tell ya, we were excited. When I moved to Canada in the early 80's, I flew in the Vancouver BC, area, supporting the sport by developing new soaring sites and always flying just a little bit further...I was very active in the clubs and in the promoting the sport. By 1990, I was successful in setting one 200km out and return world record plus several Canadian records that still stand today. I was also competing aggressively in the international scene, going to Brazil twice as captain of the Canadian Team and competed many times in the US. In the late 90;s I converted my single engine pilots license to include a glider license and bought a PW-5. My personal goals are to continue to push the envelope in distance and speed in the World Class. I am a strong believer of the single class concept. The sport of soaring is in acute need of new members, and I believe one way to attract interest in the sport is through the PW-5. Jean-Claude (JC) Hauchecorne 
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Written by Richard Remi Kaleta
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Sunday, 06 April 2008 12:26 |
 I took my first glider flight when I was 3 years old. Time; 1957, Cold War in full swing. Place; some desolated military Polish Air Force Base near Warsaw, Poland. Military and Politburo types were organizing some publicity stunt. They called it “Pilots Day” and the families of flying officers were invited. As one of the attractions, the glider rides were provided.My four year old brother is sitting on the right, and me on the left knee of our young mother, all three of us in a front sit of a double sitter Czapla, (with an instructor that makes four of us). We are taking off on the winch....That was fun.  SZD-10 Czapla The problems, at least in my perception, started as soon as the wood and fabric, orange painted glider…. entered its first turn. I really thought that our long wings are just about to hit the ground. Even if we were at 800ft high, wings surely looked and feel to long, to clear the threes. Well, it was a most horrible feeling. That day, in '57, that very day, and I remember this very clearly, I decided that if I ever fly the glider, it will be a glider with.... much shorter wings. So I waited, and waited, and waited even more, and than... finally, some forty years later… PW-5 was created. It was my Freudian desire and destiny to fly PW-5, the first short winged, World Class Glider. And that is GR8. |
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Written by Jean-Claude (JC) Hauchecorne
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Sunday, 06 April 2008 12:25 |
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Pending |
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Read more...
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Written by Jean-Claude (JC) Hauchecorne
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Sunday, 06 April 2008 12:25 |
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Frank Reid--Chief Flight Instructor, FAA Designated Examiner. Frank took one ride in a sailplane in 1985 and was totally hooked on flying sailplanes. He left the corporate world and began his flying career. In six months he had his sailplane instructor rating and his single engine rating and had started a soaring operation with Wilson Brown, Southern Soaring, in NC. He met Jayne at a soaring contest in 1986 and the rest is history. Frank has over 6,500 hours flying sailplanes and over 4,500 hours instructing in sailplanes. Frank is the former Chairman of the Board of the Soaring Society of America. He held this position from January 1st, 1999 to 2001. He was also the Region 5 director from 1995 through 2002 representing the members of the Soaring Society in 7 southeastern states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Frank, along with Jayne Reid was awarded the Warren E. Eaton Memorial Trophy, the SSA's highest award, in 2002. |
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Written by Jean-Claude (JC) Hauchecorne
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Sunday, 06 April 2008 12:25 |
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Pending |
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