Comparing Glider Prices

Now that the Ozzie dollar is down and the US dollar is up (Airborne factory, Redhead, NSW, Australia)

Airborne pricing in Australia: http://www.airborne.com.au/images/pdf/Glider_Retail_Prices_Jan_2007.pdf

1 AUD = 0.6464 USD

Costs AUD to L.A.  airport would be: Packing $120.00, Freight $650.00, Insurance (if required) 1.5% of invoice.

Moyes USA pricing: http://moyesusa.com/downloads/MoyesUSA08aRetailPricelist.pdf

Wills Wing USA pricing: http://willswing.com/prod2.asp?theClass=hg&theModel=T2 (look at the bottom)

The original analysis (when 1 AUD = 0.93 USD) can be found starting here: http://ozreport.com/12.060#1.  A serious correction to that analysis can be found here: http://ozreport.com/12.061#6.

The C4 in the second article would cost $5548 (USD) compared to the T2 at $6525.  Previously it would have been $8137.

You can use the new conversion figure above to come up with new values following the original analysis (if you like).

Other previous articles on glider pricing : http://ozreport.com/12.062#1, http://ozreport.com/12.063#1, http://ozreport.com/12.064#1, http://ozreport.com/12.066#4, http://ozreport.com/12.069#4, http://ozreport.com/12.070#1.

Discuss Comparing Glider Prices at the Oz Report forum   link»

Chill from Blue Eye

Keep out the wind. (Indian Harbor Beach, FL, USA)

http://flytec.com/Products/Goggles.htm

Steve Kroop <info> sends:

• R90 Grilamide ultra-tough frame w/ built-in anti-slip rubber temple piece
• 2mm thick shatter proof lenses Lenses are decentered for optical excellence
• 100% UVA & UVB protection

• Wraparound design to minimize wind penetration and  maximize  peripheral vision
• Ideal for Hang Gliding, Paragliding and ultralight flying
• Available configurations:
  • anti-fog rose w.  matte finish frame
  • anti-fog smoke w.  matte finish frame
  • scratch resistant bronze w.  gloss frame
• Includes soft carry/protection bag
• Exceeds Standards: AS/NZS1067:2003; EN1836:2005; ANSIZ80.3
• Also available with polarized lenses.

Discuss Chill from Blue Eye at the Oz Report forum   link»

Canoa, the prize money

Dustin cleans up (Canoa, Ecuador)

RAUL GUERRA <dr.raulguerra> writes:

Here is Dustin changing at the bank a big cheque and taking his money.  He is super happy with 4000 dollars and going back home.

Next we'll have the Canoa movie.  We'll place some parts on YouTube, and later sell the movie to the sky community in Ecuador.

Discuss Canoa, the prize money at the Oz Report forum   link»

Rough air

Putting your belly into the beast

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13602&start=25

When encountering a gust of air, the pilot, instead of fighting to stay level, instantaneously banks to expose his sailplane’s broadest surfaces to the wind and gain a push.  Taras Kiceniuk explains it this way: If a sailplane is hit by a sideways gust, the pilot will immediately bank away from the gust, expose the belly and the bottom of the wings to it, and pull a couple of Gs.  As the pilot finishes the maneuver and the sailplane’s tail slips parallel to the wind, the downwash from the wings slows the gust, thus reducing the gust’s energy while transferring that energy to the sailplane in the form of higher speed.

http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/lift.html

Discuss Rough air at the Oz Report forum   link»

Elsinore

Take in the view (Lake Elsinore, CA, USA) (Edwards Launch) (The E launch) (Mike`s LZ) (Marina LZ)

John Wright <john> writes:

Below you will find descriptions and links to panoramic photos of the current launches and LZ's at Lake Elsinore.  The Oak Tree LZ lawsuit is headed for appeal but the E Team needs support (www.theeteam.org).  The Turkey Meet is coming up Nov.  29th and would be a great time to show support financially.  I believe the information I am including about the LZs will show the benefit of reopening the Oak Tree LZ, which is reachable from either launch in any conditions.

There are two launches for Elsinore: Edwards and "The E." Edwards is primarily used in Santa Ana conditions, as North winds cause rotor at The E, which is used for "normal" days.

Edwards is at 33.638, -117.387 and its panoramic photo can be found at http://www.gigapan.org/viewGigapan.php?id=12455

The E is at 33.629, -117.371 and its panoramic photo can be found at http://www.gigapan.org/viewGigapan.php?id=12452

There are two new LZ's to replace the closed-back-in-litigation-please-support-the-eteam-by-donating-to-the-cause Oak Tree LZ.

The LZ closest to The E is known as "Everyday Mike's LZ." Everyday Mike is a PG pilot (learning HG too) who cleared some land and got permission from the owner to land there.  It's a hang 4 LZ, in my opinion.  I'd land uphill unless it was really honking off the lake.  Then, you'd be dealing with rotor and shadow from the trees and houses.  Everyday Mike's LZ is at 33.633, -117.345 and the trees in Google Earth have mostly been cleared.  To get there, you go down Grand Ave and turn right at the Circle K, left at Hayes.  The panoramic is at: http://www.gigapan.org/viewGigapan.php?id=12468

The LZ closest to Edwards is the Marina LZ.  The use of double surface wings is recommended to be able reach there, though single surface wings have done it many times.  There are also numerous bailouts along the way.  The fee is $5 a day or (I think $100/year) to use the facility.  They sell beer and are very friendly.  The Marina LZ is at 33.666, -117.377.  Google Earth currently shows the problem with this LZ long-term.  It has a way of being under water at certain times of the year.  Its panoramic is at http://www.gigapan.org/viewGigapan.php?id=12473.

A note about the panoramics.  http://Gigapansystems.com is selling a widget that automates taking panoramic photos.  Pretty nifty.  I don't think my Canon SD750 is optimal, as the lens doesn't seem to expose the edges of the photos evenly at full zoom.  I'd recommend waiting for the SLR version to come out, but it's pretty spiffy, anyway.

Discuss Elsinore at the Oz Report forum   link»