July,2021 VOLUME 14 - No 10

GLIDINGlNTERNATIONAL

July 2021THE “FIVE” DIAMOND STRAIGHT GLIDE 1 July,2021 VOLUME 14 - No 10 Editor: John H. Roake

Manager: Janice Armstrong

Correspondents: lNTERNATIONAL Aldo Cernezzi GLIDING Robert (Bob) Downe Joseph King Myles Hynde Arthur Liddington

Gliding International published by: Gliding International Ltd

From Offices At: 79 Fifth Ave, Tauranga, New Zealand Phone +64-7-571-4161

Office email: [email protected]

Editor’s email: [email protected] INDEX The magazine’s web pages can be viewed Hana Zejdova – The Czech Pilot Par Excellence 4 at www.glidinginternational.com One of the First Diana 2’s – A Disaster! 12 You can subscribe through our web page. Lilienthal Medals, From 1938 to 2021 13 From Hana’s Zejdova Own Book 13 Gliding International is published monthly with the exception of December Hana Zejdova’s World Records At Year 2000 15 and January. Ten issues per annum. Championship Results, 2021 Northern Hemisphere Season 21 The Sailplane - Advertisement 1931 23 Subscriptions: The Space Race 24 Printed Version Air Mailed: 1 Year: $136 ($US82) or equivalent VSS Unity by Richard Branson 25 2 Years: $259 ($US165) or equivalent Fire! Fire ! 26 (all prices quoted in NZ Dollars) or The Slovakian Klein Aircar 28 the equivalent in your currency. Next-Gen Battery 29 Digital Version emailed: Thermo-Electric Generation 30 1 Year $86 ($US56) or equivalent Organic EV Battery 31 2 Years $163 ($US106) or equivalent (all prices quoted in NZ Dollars) Volocopter Acquires DG Flugzeugbau 32 or the equivalent in your currency. SparrowHawk – U.S.A.’s Ultra Light 35 Personal cheques acceptable. How Others See Us 36 Skytrac and Gigsky 38 New subscriptions can be originated through the magazine’s secure web site Are You One of Our Aging Pilots? 39 by using a Visa or MasterCard credit International News for Glider Pilots 41 card at: www.glidinginternational.com Things With Wings 46 Advertising: Contact the magazine’s advertising department by email at: COVER: Richard Branson space shuttle “Unity.” (Glide angle not quoted.) [email protected]

2 Gliding International July 2021 3 HANA ZEJDOVA - THE TALENTED WOMAN PILOT AWARDED THE LILIENTHAL MEDAL

Born 1962 - A Czech citizen, Single, Professional photographer, Rated soaring instructor, 4000 pilot in command soaring hours, Started soaring at 16 years of age, Soloed at 17, Preferred sailplane - Jonker JS-2.

4 Gliding International July 2021 5 WHO IS HANA ZEJDOVA ? This is a story about how male pilots and administrators treated a very talented female soaring pilot with abilities far above the discerning males. Gliding certainly has room for a vast number of female pilots and a female encouragement program could well be the sport’s saviour.

the women‘s Czech Championship in 1992 and the International She was the second woman in the history of world glider flying European Championship in 1993. She became an equal partner of (after Russian Olga Klepikova) to set absolute records (together men at competitions, and often surpassed them. She repeatedly won with men) in traditional disciplines. at international competitions, and most often with a safe margin above the male pilots of the Czech team. During an international Congratulations from foreign pilots at the world championship in competition in Poland, she set a new national record with a world New Zealand gave her strength. This was her entrance into the class time and was faster than the Pole, Janusz Centka, three times permanent awareness of gliders worldwide. It took a lot of courage the world champion, in the 500 km speed triangle race. She finished and determination from the two characters on the world stage. second in the Czech national championship for men. Father Vladislav and daughter Hana, set out barehanded toward However, neither the national team coach nor the Czech Aeroclub their ambitious goals after the fall of the Iron curtain between the nominated her for the men’s world championship in the United West and the East. Hana was not put off by the politics and in States in 1991, although she was qualified for the event (at that seclusion, exited the sport events in her mother country, struggled time, women did not yet have their own championship). The coach’s on with the support of friends and her father. She chose a relatively nomination still prevailed. Her skills demonstrated her undoubted difficult future path, influenced by club functionaries, skilled in soaring ability. Equally, she was not accepted to be a part in the deciding about directions and fate. following men‘s world championship, being restricted to the women‘s section. It was an unprecedented breech of the FAI sporting code Although without financial means for a living, let alone not even by the Czech Aeroclub administrators. The word ‘nomination‘ considering the means necessary for an Australian expedition, and thus gained a new meaning in the sense of decisions made by despite the complicated situation, Hana received the Australians‘ the sport functionaries, elevated over the proven capabilities of invitation, (including, the flight tickets). orn in 1962 in Brno in the Czech Republic. Her parents were aviation, ultimately choosing different careers. She graduated from a sportswoman in the qualification by mere discrimination of a Bactive glider pilots. Her father was a successful member of the a conservatoire, where she studied ballet, and was a successful superior woman. They wanted her to continue with her record flight attempts out of national team and the first Czech record holder from 1957 before prima ballerina and star of the National Theatre in Brno. She also Australia. The directors of the world-famous gliding organisation, his representation activities were put to a halt for his progressive appeared as a guest performer in Bratislava and later danced Next, Hana was nominated for the men’s world championship in Sportavia Soaring Centre were very well aware just how valid her attitude to top performance sports. It took 38 years for his daughter in Bonn, Germany. Both sisters have healthy ambitions to be Sweden in 1993, specifically, at her own request. Women had no performance for the promotion of their school could be. Donald to pick up where her father left off, starting an unprecedented successful. gliding championship at that time. At this summit she was the Escott and Jeff Close, then acting directors of the centre, as well series of world records. It is unusual for just one family to set all only woman at two contests, but nevertheless in Sweden, was as Charles William Riley, laid out the scheme for motivating the world records that their country possesses in a given sport. Hana Zejdová‘s steep ascent in competition is accentuated by suffering from a virus cold and fever, which of course impaired her Australian research project. several national records at the beginning of her sports career. performance. The Czech coach, who did not believe women were Hana started glider pilot training in Brno-Medlánky in 1978. As early Consistency a pragmatic visions leading to grand goals are able to compete with men on a peer-to-peer basis, ruthlessly used Bill Riley who was the founder of Sportavia supported the potential as 1980, although she had to extend her training because of a hand inherent to her. However, that was to become her problem in the this fact against her. of Hana for his training school especially with the likelihood of Ingo injury, she won her Silver “C” glider pilot award, soon followed by future. In 1989, she unexpectedly finished third in the European Renner becoming a part of the team. Ingo came to Australia from gold and diamond ones. Later, she added the much-appreciated Championship in Oryol, then USSR, although she was the youngest In 1995, the coach did not nominate her to the ladies’ team for the Germany at the end of the 60‘s to seek work as a boat technician, 1,000 km “clusters” to her diamond badge, being the first Czech of the participants and flew the oldest aircraft, a fact the media did men’s world championship in New Zealand, although she received an and became one of the leading personalities of this sport. Solidarity national to do so. Her flying competition career was also off to a not miss, pointing out that in the last discipline she dropped from invitation from the organisers, including free transport from Europe was also manifested by pilots from Japan, Germany, Poland, successful start. the second post to the third by only 14 points. to New Zealand, a bonus accorded to European champions only. She Canada, and USA, but also from the Czech Republic. made up for her inexplicable absence at the world championship in Hana won her first junior competition competing against men and In team collaboration she helped her colleague reach the then Australia, where she sets a number of world records, assisted by Thanks to them all, Hana had a quite a variable line-up of sailplanes flying a VSO 10 glider owned by her flying club. Her sister Soňa, highest women‘s championship title. Furthermore, Hana gained Australians, who have bought a low-cost glider for her in Europe. she could fly. Although they were not always the most efficient who was two years younger also decided to devote herself to the vice-champion title in the men‘s championship in 1990, won Again she was denied any help at home. gliders (singles and twins,) it was with joy she sat in the cockpits

6 Gliding International July 2021 7 of older types, the so-called ‚super orchids‘ with spans of over 25 flying clubs and from the Flyers‘ union that submitted the proposal metres. During the six week season in 1997 she chalked up 37 the way it is required by the rules. The national Czech flying club female records including several world records. Thus Hana became of the pilot, (the Aeroclub of the Czech Republic), accepted the the second woman in the history of Australian gliding - an era few request to honour Hana’s achievements and it was passed by them Australians know much about. to the FAI. In 1997 she was awarded the Pelageia Maiewska Medal, the highest gliding FAI award exclusively created for women only. Although the documents to five performance routines (involving 32 records) got mysteriously lost somewhere between Prague and All in all, what this pilot has managed to achieve so far is all the Paris, she caused much ado in international aviation. The documents more valuable if we add the “willingness” of the functionaries at lost recorded success activity that is unmatched in gliding almost home in their activities of causing her problems in sport and in life. anywhere. On January 4, 1997, in Australia, Hana completed a What sportsman would manage to overcome this with their will and distance flight of 1,025 km, to get over the legendary limit of 1,000 tenacity ? Hana was forced to leave top competition flying that she km. The flight equalled one previously flown seven years earlier in liked so much, at the peak of her success. It was not only her loss, 1990. Australia was the first and only country to have a female pilot but also a loss to the sport itself, mainly for its sportsmen/women. overcoming this dream limit. Yet she fought on for her position in the sport limelight with record Therefore Hana has badge No. 1 for the Czech Republic and after record flights seeking organisational support even more international number 304. In 1997, the Czech Flying Club accounted strenuously. Nomination to record her sport achievements comes for 32 of a worldwide total of 52 general aviation world records via her sport skills, not from sport officials. She is an exemplary that had been submitted for approval and registration. Thanks to sportswoman who does not give up when faced with an appalling Hana Zejdová, the Czech Republic achieved, for the first time in lack of support. aviation history, the most significant successes. Now permanently embossed in gold in the annals of the International Aviation Moving forward toward greater goals under the difficult conditions, Federation (FAI). all without home technical support but with foreign financial and technical assistance, is not easy, no matter how renowned one’s The Czech Republic wins the first place among record holders in name is. With no other option left, the world’s number one record sailplane flying, and with a very safe margin at that. It is also fourth setter is still attempting to break even more records using a forty in the category of general aviation records, although it does not years old aircraft, namely a Caproni A21 SJA glider purchased by compete in transport aircraft and rotary wing aircraft classes. Hana Australians in Germany and assembled from parts of five crashed Zejdová finally became the ultimate world record holder, with 52 motor-gliders! No one in motor sports would likely attempt a world records under her belt – the highest number ever of world records record on a motorcycle several decades old. anyone has ever achieved in aviation sports. Hana is probably the only top pilot in the world and the only Otto We have here a success which will be difficult to repeat. Foreign Lilienthal medal laureate who has to look for support in places experts all highly appreciate the benefits for Australia. Hana’s other than her own country. She is a sportswoman fighting for noble feats earned a well-deserved reaction both within the International goals in sport, while maintaining honour and high moral standards. Aviation Federation and worldwide. Hana became an honorary member of the Hong Kong Aviation Club, with a multitude of It is a true story about an enormous spiritual will of man aimed invitations to international competitions (participation limited) but at high goals, believe in them and win. In today’s world of over- received numerous foreign awards and diplomas. commercialisation and departure from sporting ideals, and huge amounts of cash in many cases flowing into pockets of Previously unrecorded, Hana received an offer to head a movie on representatives of so called popular sports. The genuine story of the history of world aviation which included her own achievements Hana Zejdová is almost unbelievable. and fantastic future plans. It is difficult to understand why the Aeroclub of the Czech Republic as well as the Ministry of Hana Zejdová is a rare example of a successful amateur sportswoman Education and Sports have overlooked Hana Zejdová‘s results in the delivering top-level professional performance. In today’s world, this representation of her country. Why they have not supported her is an exception. We cannot do more but wish her every success in her nor publicly evaluated her achievements such as in other sports, is plans, namely the Icada Project. And particularly luck in fundraising difficult to understand. and in recruiting sponsors who will appreciate her achievements and commit themselves to great pioneering feats of world aviation The financial and technical support from a state subsidy is, by – the feats for which this sportswoman has been purposefully and old rules, administered by representatives who have for a long determinedly preparing herself for quite some time. period of time (even decades as in the national team) not provided comparable rewards for gliding from international competition The patronage of sponsors and supporters in exchange for her results nor for a significant number of Czech or world records. sacrifices to and hard work for sport and pioneering efforts in aviation is something that the activities of this outstanding pilot Therefore Hana is an exception not only as far as the sports results really deserve. are concerned. She stands out among sportsmen/women who get help from the state subsidy administered to our sport. This Team of collaborators from the Czech Aviation Association and sportswoman has not cost her mother country a penny. Finances Icada Project Quotation from a letter of congratulation: “We thank for a sport, in which she created values worth tens of millions, are you for a heart-pleasing announcement of the outstanding sporting divided among others. It is an irony that those who make these achievement and congratulate you not just on the first Czech decisions are not against going to officially collect the prizes won thousand kilometres, but also on the other records. I would like to by Hana. Yes, even the Lilienthal medal dedicated to Hana was emphasize I am very proud the first-ever thousand kilometres in delivered at the General Conference of FAI into the hand of the the Czech Republic was achieved by a lady pilot from Brno! What functionaries who did not invite Hana to be amongst the delegates. could this achievement be compared to? Let’s put it as follows: For the entire aviation world, Lindbergh will always be the first man to They did not help nor participate in any part of the winning of this submit the Atlantic Ocean; “Chuck” Yeager will always be the first (Above: Hana enjoying the wonders of the Australian thermal skies) high international prize. It arose from the support of several foreign one to lick the Mach speed for all in the flying business;

8 Gliding International July 2021 9 Another Hana masterpiece. An Australian “thermal sky” at its best. “They don’t appreciate how lucky they are!”

10 Gliding International July 2021 11 We have dedicated space to our sponsors who contributed to our actual success like the Civil Aviation Authority of the THE AWARD HISTORY OF THE LILIENTHAL MEDAL THIS . . . . . The ill-fated Diana 2 which was Czech Republic, Air Traffic Control Services, Praha - Ruzyně Airport, and the Ministry of Transportation. I would also like 1938 Poland Tadeusz Góra made available to the Czech’s to thank film director Mr. Luboš Ondráček for shooting a short for goal flight 577 kilometres TEXT FROM Australian record attempts, but documentary movie about the historical achievements of 1948 Sweden Per-Axel Persson Czech gliding and the Hana Zejdová called “PER ASPERA AD 1949 United States John C. Robinson which proved to be a liability ASRA”. We would also like to extend our thanks to the Czech 1950 United States William S. Ivans 1951 France Marcelle Choisnet-Gohard HANA’S BOOK rather than an expedition asset. Aviation Association for their contribution to the chapter “Who 1952 France Charles Atger is Hana Zejdová”, . our work and future plans. 1953 Soviet Union Victor Iltchenko, world two-seater record, ana Zejdova applied her photographic skills to the production Glider Diana 2 – ser. No. 003, from Moscow to Stalingrad - (520 miles) Hof a delightful book entitled “The Otto Lilienthal medal 1954 United Kingdom Philip Wills awarded to the Czech Republic for the first time,” a project that “elegant” at first sight, supplied 1955 Germany Joachim Küttner 1956 United States Paul MacCready was successfully created with the help of friends who wanted to by a Polish manufacturer to 1957 Spain Don Luis Vicente Juez Gomez publicly acknowledge the truly historical success of their Czech 1958 Germany Wolf Hirth female friend, glider pilot Hana Zejdova. Hana Zejdová in 2006 for her 1959 United States Richard Schreder record long distance flights 1960 Poland Pelagia Majewska This little known publication features photographs from the 1961 Switzerland Adolph Gehriger in Australia – had irremovable 1962 United States Paul Bikle Kangaroo Expedition to Australia and outlines the future plans of its production and construction 1963 Germany Heinz Huth protagonists. The Lilienthal Medal, which Hana Zejdová received Hana Zejdova, the Professional photographer. 1964 United States Alvin H. Parker for her part in the Australian project was the first awarded to a defects and was not usable for 1965 Poland Edward Makula Czech citizen, and something not granted every day or without 1966 United Kingdom Anne Burns extraordinary and rare achievements. It has been bestowed every safe flying. 1967 Sweden Lennart Stahlfors 1968 Chile Alejo Williamson year since 1938 to the most successful glider pilot in the world for 1969 France Eric Nessler his or her pioneering feats. For glider pilots, it is something like The irresponsible manufacturer 1970 Germany Hans-Werner Grosse, - German bomber pilot the “Golden Ball” Award for the best soccer player in the world. harmed our sponsors and who established 50 world records In glider flying, it may be held in an even higher esteem than an 1971 United States Karl Striedieck Olympic gold medal. caused the Kangaroo Expedition 1972 Poland Jan Wróblewski Twice World Champion 1965 Open/1972 Standard Class and ICADA project big material, 1973 United Kingdom Ann Welch The Czech Republic has waited a full 61 years for the award, financial and moral damage. One 1974 Switzerland August Hug and the first Czech national to win it is a woman. In his “HIGH wonders how the supervising 1975 Poland Adela Dankowska for her world records & her FLYERS” book published on the occasion of the 100th anniversary winning the 1975 International of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). They evaluate aviation authority could women’s Gliding Competition 1976 Netherlands Louis A. de Lange worldwide aviation successes since its birth in 1905. approve such an un-airworthy 1977 United States George B. Moffat, Jr. aircraft to be exported beyond 1978 Germany Helmut Reichmann Pierre Morath defines what aviation records are in comparison to 1980 Austria Hans Wolf those achieved in other disciplines, how they affect the progress the manufacturer’s country and 1981 United Kingdom George Lee - World Gliding Champion of mankind, what sacrifices they require from those who boldly on 3 consecutive occasions let it be sold despite the most 1982 Switzerland Hans Nietlispach strive to achieve them, and explains the difference between the important thing – risk to human 1984 Australia C.E. Wallington records and performance at world championships. As a matter 1985 New Zealand Sholto Hamilton Georgeson of fact, glider world championships now comprise six classes or life. 1986 United States Dick Johnson categories, and the average number of participants is well over a 1987 Finland Juhani Horma hundred, and there are many world champions. This, in the opinion 1988 Australia Ingo Renner 1990 Germany Fred Weinholtz of FAI’s experts themselves, somehow devaluates 1991 New Zealand Raymond W. Lynskey the world champion’s title. Contrary to that, 1992 Poland Franciszek Kępka a world record cannot be divided among 1993 United States Bernald S. Smith multiple players. It belongs to a single 1994 New Zealand Terrence Delore pilot and is a historical record of its 1995 Norway Tor Johannessen 1997 Germany Manfred Reinhardt time, its technical possibilities and the 1998 United States Oran Nicks pilot‘s skill. 1999 Czech Republic Hana Zejdova 2000 Germany Klaus Ohlmann Another characteristic of record 2001 United States James M. Payne achievements is the fact that Hana and her father 2002 New Zealand John Hamish Roake 2003 Italy Piero Morelli no flying association nominates at Tocumwal, Australia 2004 Poland Janusz Centka the pilot for a record flight. Its prior to their second 2005 United Kingdom Ian Strachan actors provide proof and personal round of record attempts 2006 Australia Alan Patching organisational capabilities and 2007 United Kingdom Derek Piggott audacity during the preparation 2008 France Roland Stuck 2009 New Zealand Ross Macintyre phase or during the flights. So far 2010 Germany Reiner Rose unexplored meteorological conditions 2011 Italy Giorgio Galetto or problematic terrain provide the 2012 New Zealand Bob Henderson likelihood of both high risks and a large 2014 Not awarded multitude of dangers connected with 2015 Netherlands Loek Boermans 2016 Germany Rainer Wienzek it. Record flights are often generated from 2017 Belgium Patrick Pauwels competition flights. 2018 Not awarded 2019 South Africa Dick Bradley The ill-fated early Diana 2 Besides a perfect preparation by pilot and technology, the weather 2020 Germany Gisela Weinreich phenomenon plays an important role. Let us refer again to the 2021 United States Eric Mozer evaluation presented in the “HIGH FLYERS”. Hana Zejdová, due to her

12 Gliding International July 2021 13 impressive feats and definitely not by accident, is often ranked among the most famous record setting female glider pilots. She is also among the most renowned names of female test pilots and female record holders in general aviation and aerospace in the hundred-year history of world aviation. FAI know that it is the record-breaking pioneering feats in aviation that move technical progress and life of mankind a great deal forward. They acquire the character of challenging technical inventions.

I remember our first expedition to Australia in search of records, shortly after 1989. After the dismantling of the iron curtain, Australia was still an unknown country. We did not dare to disclose our ambitious future plans to anyone. In our promotional material seeking sponsors.

From 1991 we set a goal for our future expeditions – “to overcome several world records”. When the news of our goals reached the officials of Czech sports aviation, they, instead of supporting our plans they called them “vain promises and visions”. They said no one had previously ever attempted anything like Hana’’s gliding photography is exceptional. The selection in this issue endorses her abilities ! them. Not true!

During the previous, very difficult era, I had intensively attempted I believe that our team will also reach the future goals, and in larger a number record goals, but to no avail. Public expressions on our international involvement it will bring fame to our country and efforts and achievements were quite intense, but not for the Czech aviation by stratospheric flights and a future flight around better. For sure no one was expecting that someone from Eastern the Earth using solar and wind energy, just like the mythical flyers Europe could produce such significant achievements in the tables Icarus and Daedalus. of world records. We were regarded with suspicion - of being profiteers working only for our own benefit, and therefore bringing I am glad that I have lived long enough to see this. Despite all no contribution to the flying community. We were even considered difficulties that this hectic era brings, we can express our spirit, to be millionaires in disguise; after all, only the rich and powerful although it is done at the expense of frequent obstructions on the are supposed to be able to afford costly trips abroad. The overall way to fulfil our plans and dreams. I believe that the success of the evaluation of record performances as such was adjudged to be of Kangaroo Expedition built on international collaboration, we will little value to the Czech aviation sport and we were excluded from manage to follow this road through to much higher goals that are the country’s financial assistance programme. represented by the Icada project, which already begins to evolve.

Although we can hardly speak of pleasant circumstances at home, At the beginning of this article I have mentioned the names of those we were lucky to meet up with some very fair and decent people on who have supported Hana significantly. I consider them our story‘s THE CZECH DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION HAS THIS TO SAY . . . . .”“I was introduced to Czech pilot Hana Zejdová in 1991; I was then our journey into the future. We achieved a clear future vision, one heroes who should not stay nameless. Their contribution in big the last director of the Sportavia Soaring Centre glider pilot school, successful in record-breaking efforts. Her strong desire to fly and her with whom we could establish a good rapport in Czechia as well solidarity on the way to peak performances in gliding, appraised by lust after records prompted us to help her in her difficult situation. Although she was known as an international Championess of Europe, as abroad. the highest recognition within this sport, the Otto Lilienthal Medal. Championess of the Czech Republic, a record setter who had beaten men on numerous occasions, she did not have her own aircraft or support accorded to many other, often unknown or rookie athletes. Her tremendous elan and the sacrifices she was willing to put into her We were surprised by the friendly attitude of Australians during I apologise to all that have not been mentioned directly. We are favourite sport made us adopt a decision to support her technically and morally as much as we could. She became our great discovery. She our preparations for our various record flight attempts. Pilots from aware that without the help of all of you who believed in Hana and set more than fifty new women’s and absolute world records here, plus several hundreds of national records. Our former Sportavia Soaring all over the world provided a feeling of support which created this without your solidarity, Hana certainly would not have managed Centre has thus played a part in the careers of two world glider flying legends: Ingo Renner, an Australian, four times the world champion friendly atmosphere. Hana Zejdová and her many world affiliates, to endure. Although many of you do not know each other, you and twice the world record holder, the most successful glider flying competition pilot, and the audacious Czech lady, Hana Zejdová, the the Czech aviation Kangaroo expedition and the future plans of the formed a team which is responsible for the inclusion of the Czech ultimate glider world record setter. Both have been awarded the supreme accolade of the International Aviation Federation – the Otto Icada Project, rank the Czech Republic among technically advanced sport aviation among the world top class. You showed an excellent Lilienthal Medal.” countries participating in aviation pioneering efforts. example of international solidarity and disinterested collaboration. continued page 16

14 Gliding International July 2021 15 “We, at the Centre of Transportation Research are very pleased there still exist people who are not satisfied with what they have already achieved and keep their eyes fixed on as yet unexplored horizons. We are even more pleased by the fact these people are involved in an aviation segment that has already given the mankind a lot of useful inventions and knowledge …..” Centre of Transportation Research, Brno.

As I had a chance of seeing the Mother Earth from an altitude of 19,000 to 20,000 metres when sitting in the pressurised cockpit of a Mig-21 or Su-7bm, wearing a pressurised suit and a helmet, I see the glider flight across the Atlantic Ocean, and later around the Earth, in stratospheric altitudes as an extremely demanding task, which requires perfect preparations and even better support.

I believe that the zeal and perseverance of Hana Zejdová and Vladislav Zejda can make the exceptional feat come true.” Col. (ret.) Ing. Stanislav Filip, Ex Czech Air Force pilot, President of the Association of Flyers of the Czech Republic “Hana and Vladislav Zejda are not only top pilots. They also proved their courage and the perseverance of pioneers.

The Ikada project will not make their life easier. The strong will to try what has not been tried has formed the aviation of today. The pioneers must often ignore established schemes and rules and risk failures or worse. I wish them strength and also luck in the discovery of new possibilities of long distance soaring at extreme altitudes.” prof. Milan Danek (aerodynamics and flight dynamics) The pioneers must often ignore established schemes and rules and risk failures or worse.

I wish them strength and also luck in the discovery of new occasions, she did not have her own aircraft or support afforded to many other, often unknown or rookie athletes. Her tremendous talent and the sacrifices she was willing to put into her favourite sport made us adopt a decision to support her technically and morally as much as we could.

Donald Bruce Escott ex director of the Sportavia Soaring Centre, Australia

TOCUMWAL - Hana Zejdova and Bill Riley’s playground. Photo: Hana Zejdova

16 Gliding International July 2021 17 In 2004, the FAI asked Pierre Morath, an expert in history of sports and a member of the Olympic Committee, to write a book on the history of international aviation. This was published a year later on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Federation‘s foundation, under the name of “1905–2005 HIGH FLYERS, A Century of Sporting Achievement.” The author only marginally mentioned the accomplishments of flying competitions. He dedicated more space to record scoring, substantiating his decision as follows : “records – the heart of the matter. The history of the FAI is inextricably linked with that of the pioneers of the air and space and with all the barriers they have risked their lives to break. These records sometimes attain the status of myth, for while the international championships organised in various disciplines under the aegis of the FAI are now legion, it is the records that remain.

Perhaps more than in other sports, but the single distinguishing feature of these titans of the air. We came back to them a number of times in the book. Personalities and women’s FAI records in recent history are recorded for posterity. This chapter on women cannot come to a close without mention of those who have distinguished themselves the most over the hundred-year history of the World Air Sports Federation. The list is obviously not all encompassing but certain names must be cited, notably, for general aviation, the Russian Marina Lavrenteyvna Popovich, who was awarded the FAI Gold Medal in 1972 and who, as a test pilot, collected a string of speed and distance records throughout her career.

In space, Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova (USSR) was the world’s first woman cosmonaut. June 16-19 1963. On board the Vostok 6, she set four women’s records for orbital flight. Her duration was 70 hours and 40 minutes, her altitude 231.1 kilometres, and distance flown 1,970,000 kilometres. In 1951, Frenchwoman Marcelle Choisnet was the first woman to receive the FAI’s highest honour for gliding, the Lilienthal Gliding Medal. At that time she had totalled 21 women’s world records.

Over her career, she was to set 27 in all, between 1945 and 1955. The most prestigious among them was the 1948 duration record, with 35 hours and three minutes. Before her, the Russian Olga Klepikova had, in 1939, set an absolute distance record with a score of 749,203 kilometres. Among their successors, in addition to Poles Pelagia Majewska and Adela Dankowska and the Englishwoman Here’s Benalla - superb Australian base used on occasions by the Czechs as those strove to set more world records. A World Championship location of Ann Burns, all of them had broken many considerable merit. world records, is the Czech Hana Zejdova, Photo: Hana Zejdova who in just two years, 1977-1999, rewrote the record books for gliding records, both women’s and absolute.

18 Gliding International July 2021 19 SOARING SUPPLIES & PILOT SHOP CHAMPIONSHIPS

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AUSTRIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS of an hour earlier. I was flying with a 51 wing loading that day. This ST. JOHANN, MAY 29 – JUNE 5, 2021 is also my minimum wing loading that I can fly with, since I am relatively heavy myself. On the second day I was 8km/h faster than AIRCRAFT PARTS PILOT SUPPLIES INSTALL/ GROUND The Schleicher AS33 celebrated two podium finishes in the “mixed” the second place finisher - how did that happen? In total there • Batteries/Chargers • Accessories MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT class - (The standard and 15 m glider combined into one class). were six scoring days in St. Johann. You had racing tasks, AATs and Flying the 15 m version of the AS 33 Es, Guido Achleitner displayed a mixed field of gliders. So, how did the 33 do in my eyes? • Brake Conversion Kit • Apparel • Aircraft Tubing • Canopy Cover superb technique while Werner Amann finished in third place in his • Brakes & Parts • Books • Cable & Wiring • Glider Covers • Canopies/Windows/Rails • CamelBaks • Connectors and Switches • Glider Tow Bar ASG 29. It was a good contest for Schleicher sailplanes and Guido In Austria, we now fly according to the Austro Index. We created • Contest ID & Decals • Emergency Equipment • Instrument Hardware, • Sailplane Rigger Achleitner who won the championship title. our own index list and since so few people fly in the standard class, • Launch & Tow Equipment • Headsets Mounts & Covers • Trailer Vents we combined the 15 m and Standard class for this championship • Seatbelt / Harness • Plotters • Pilot Relief System • Wing Stands Commenting on his success, Achleitner said “I immediately felt and flew according to our Austro Index. In the index AS 33, JS 3 and • Skids & Tip Wheels • Seat pads & foam cushions • RAM Mounts • Wing Wheel comfortable in the AS 33. It is very easy to fly. The big unknown, Ventus 3 have the same index of 114. The index flying is of course • TE Probes • Gifts & Gift Cards • Speakers • Tail Dolly however, was how the flight characteristics would behave with the always dependent on the weather. On really good days, you are • Tires, Tubes & Wheels • Decals, Videos, T-Shirts, Hats • Wax & Polish • Trailer Drawer higher wing loading at 15m. In comparison, you have about 5 kg simply faster with the modern aircraft now on offer. more wing loading with the motor - which by the way, is great to still have in a 15m glider - that glider performs really well. However, My buddy Michael is going to the Alpe Adria Cup with the 18m in retrospect, I have to say that I had at least 2 kg too much in version and I told him directly that he can fill the plane up to 600 the tail making it noticeably too tail-heavy - affecting the glide kg. There is absolutely nothing against flying the plane with these performance. I noticed it immediately in the glide, but there is still excellent flight characteristics with 600 kg. We had the restriction COBRA TRAILER AVIONICS/ TAPES/SEALS PARACHUTES a lack of experience and you have to get a feeling for where the of 525 kg for the 15m class, but I don’t think that the flight centre of mass is best. characteristics would have been worse if I had flown with the 550 • Axle & Brake INSTRUMENTS • Cloth, Zig-Zag, Transfer, V-Seal • National • Draw Bar • Teflon Fabric Tape with Adhesive • Paraphernalia - Softie kg wing loading. If I were to go wave flying now, I could imagine • Airspeed Indicator The weather forecast for the first day of the competition was not flying with 550 kg. On one day, I mistakenly dumped the main • Extras • Altimeters • Foam, Gap, Mylar, PTFE • Strong so good, so I flew without water for the time being, except for water ballast tank on final glide. The 33 can dump main and tail • Ground Handling • Antennas • Combi, Dimple • MarS the 3L in the tail, which was not necessary. But then I immediately water tanks separately. I accidentally drained the main water tank • Inside Trailer • Compass • Lights • ELT noticed that I was performing much better as compared to the ASG as well. But even empty, I was gliding just as well as the comparable • Ramp • Flight Computers 29. That day I flew with the Amann Werner and his configuration sailplanes on final glide and didn’t lose anything. • Trailer Top & Bottom • GPS & Data Loggers made so much difference on the last leg that I was home a quarter • Hour Meter/Clocks/Gauges OXYGEN Additionally, I am very supportive of the AS 33’s • Power FLARM seating position. It is simply perfect, which is EQUIPMENT • Radios/Transceiver of course very important in competition soaring. • Aerox • Slip/Skid indicator • Mountain High • Transponders RÄYSKÄLÄ (FINLAND) MASTERS JUNE 9-15, • Variometers 2021 SIX FLYING DAYS OUT OF SEVEN PROPOSED (Open Class); 1. Petri Sucksdorf (AS 33 es) 5,030 points. 2. Hanu Halonen (Ventus 3T) 4,/877 points. 3. Mikko Nurminen (Ventus 2/18 m) 4,357 points.

RÄYSKÄLÄ (FINLAND) MASTERS JUNE 9-15, 2021 (Racing Class);. 1. Harri Hirvola (Ventus) 5,314 points. 2. Kristian Roine (LS 8 st) 5,269 points. 3. Aku Jaakkola (Discus 2A) 5,153 p.s

*Same-day shippingFREE on most items. CLASSIFIEDS wingsandwheels.com RÄYSKÄLÄ (FINLAND) MASTERS JUNE 9-15, North America’s Largest 2021 (Cliub Class); (208) 994-4110 1. Tapio Tourula (LS 7) 5,546 points Sailplane Listing 3525 W. Bavaria St.~ Eagle, ID 83616 USA “The love affair” - Guido Achleitn 2. Sakari Pyorre (LS 7) 5,013 points wingsandwheels.com/classifieds.html [email protected] and the 15m AS 33 3. Kim Toppari (LS 7) 4,833 points

20 Gliding International July 2021 21 2021 SPANISH OPEN CLASS CHAMPION Louis Bouderlique FRA Ventus-3TP 1. Rodriguez & Lanzieri (ASH 25) 1,736 points. Gintas Zube LTU TBA 2. Miguel Jurado Navas (Ventus) 1,558 points. Bostjan Pristavec SLO JS1c Evo Jet 3. Carlos Gonzalez de Herrero (ASW 27) 1,461 points. Marius Pluscauskas LTU TBA Thomas Gostner ITA Ventus-3TS 2021 SPANISH CLUB CLASS CHAMPION; Christophe Abadie FRA JS3 Jet 1. Jorge Arias Riera (St Cirrus) 1,250 points Sylvain Gerbaud FRA JS1 2. Toquero and de Albert (ASK 21) 1,151 points. Philippe de Péchy FRA TBA 3. Sergi Puyol (Mini Nimbus) 1,083 points. SGP - Spain (1) ESP TBA SGP - Sweden SWE TBA (Seven Day Contest - Six flying days) SGP - Sweden (1) SWE TBA SGP - Italy ITA TBA NORWEGIAN NATIONALS - OPEN CLASS SGP - Italy (1) ITA TBA June 13-June 20, 2021. A proposed seven day contest - scored SGP - Russia RUS TBA only three days - 16 pilots competed, One female - Rebecca SGP - Russia (1) RUS TBA Hansen who shared the flying in a Duo Discus, the courtesy of SGP - Usa USA TBA Marin Bjornein. SGP - Usa (1) USA TBA

1. Per Morten LS6) 2,393 points. 2. Marin Bjornebekk & Rebecca Hansen 2,106 points FURTHER RESULTS TO BE PUBLISHED ONCE 3. Henning Lassen (Ventus 2CM/18m) with 2,091 points. EVENTS HAVE CONCLUDED

FRENCH 18 M CLASS - With just three out of seven flying days the new National Champion in 18m is: 1. Adrien Henry (JS 3) 1.084 points. 2. Christophe Abadie (JS 3) 1.001 points. 3. Anne Ducarouge in ( JS 3) 993 points. NEW GLIDING FRENCH OPEN CLASS - With just three out of seven flying days the new National Champion in the Open Class is: INTERNATIONAL 1. Eric Bernard (JS 1c/21 m) 1,137 points. 2. Philippe de Pechy ( JS 1C/21m) 1,107 points. 3. team Bouderlique /Astrid Galaret ( ARCUS-20) 1,062 points. FEATURE

• The new Italian 15 m. ITALIAN CHAMPION is Ricky Brigliadori, who won three days in a row out of four flyable days. • The new Italian Standard Class Champion is Elena Fergnani (Discus). She won two days out of four. The competitions were . flown from Varese ,(13 Standard class entries , 15m class nine.) Gliding International directors feel we At press time the UK Nationals (Lasham) (St. 15m and Open need to pay more attention to competition classes) had flown only one day. - a 1000 point day flown by 19 entries and won by Andy Davis (JS 3). Seven completed the task, results and keep our subscribers better but none in the Standard class. Open class: ;Richard Browne (JS 1C informed. ) scored the 1000 points with a speed of 96 km./h.

The Swiss Nationals [June 26-30] in mixed open and mixed 15 m. Competition organisers are requested to suffered from the same bad weather. email pertinent competition information

The Slovak National Championship having more soarable weather and results to Gliding International (i.e. up at Nitra (Three classes) Nine flyable days to date. At press time, to and including the first 10 places). Tibor Fratik in a Pegase was leading with 6.907 points.

The QUALIFYING SAILPLANE GRAND PRIX was won by The information will be printed in each 1. Gilles Navas (ASG29) (France) 50 points issue. 2. Mario Kiessling (Ventus 3T) (Germany) 43 points 3. Didier HAUS (JS 1) (France) 33 points. Organised byAero Club Adele Orsi Acao. This series of Qualifying Results will be analysed, conclusions SGPs is now complete. Gilles Navas and Mario Kiessling will drawn and a summary made available to compete at Saint-Auban for the FAI World SGP Final, September competitors and to those who have a 5th - 11th, 2021 desire to be fully informed. GRAND PRIX FINAL - NEXT SEPTEMBER On next September, the Provence Alps, south-east France will host Subscribers can request a free email the final of the current Sailplane Grand Prix (SGP). Twenty qualified pilots will race for the world title. Provisional entries are as follows: service relating to competition issues.

Tilo Holighaus GER Ventus-3TS Oscar Goudriaan RSA JS3 Jet . GLIDING ADVERTISING - 90 YEARS AGO!

22 Gliding International July 2021 23 Billionaires are “VSS UNITY” - racing into space The Commercial Virgin Galactic Connection taking passengers With Space ichard Branson, announced this morning ( a.m. July 2) that he Friday last week, Branson spoke about Bezos and how he doesn’t Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin, was photographed inspecting New Rwill be taking his rocket ship into earth orbit on July 11, one see their plans to leave earth behind as a competition, as his project Shepard’s West Texas launch facility before the rocket’s maiden voyage week before his 71st birthday but a likely two weeks ahead of rival has been years in the making. “I know that it’s been painted as a Blue Origin billionaire, Jeoff Bezos, another American who is also interested in race, honestly I don’t think either of us see it that way,” Branson creating a business version of space experience for the wealthy. told our interviewer. “We’re both doing something pretty different stock price shot up on that news, though the long-term viability of And you need to be wealthy too. Like $US200,000 for just minutes — the people that go up with us are going up in a spaceship — a business model built on selling six-figure tickets to space has not in weightlessness atop the world but still only miles from its surface they launch from the beautiful space port in New Mexico. Jeff has aims to launch persuaded every analyst. Virgin Galactic has not confirmed when - like around 55 miles (88 kilometres). The small “commuter (VSS a different approach so at that point we are hardly comparable. Branson will climb aboard, though the company plans three more Unity) with seven on board, is first flown attached to a much We’re not really in direct competition, I have enormous respect for test flights before paying passenger flights begin. - July 20 larger jet aircraft flown to 50,000 feet (stage one)(9.45 miles) what he’s doing and I know he has enormous respect for what our above earth. When in free flight, Unity’s pilot activates its rocket wonderful team are doing as well.” “We’re incredibly pleased with the results of our most recent test hree separate companies are preparing to launch civilians into motor which powers “Unity” to its ultimate distance, 55 miles from flight, which achieved our stated flight test objectives,” Virgin space, with a billionaire entrepreneur at or near the front of each earth, where it it remains for several minutes. Likely no longer than “We have spent 17 years trying to get to this stage. The first time I T Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier said in a June 25 news release. line. News of progress boosted investor confidence in the business 4-8 minutes maximum. Then starts the long time consuming return, got truly excited was yesterday when the final safety check came “The flight performed flawlessly, and the results demonstrate the prospects of this budding space tourism industry, though it is not gliding totally like any earth bound glider, all without motor or jet through and I was asked whether I’d like to go and, of course, the safety and elegance of our flight system. Today’s approval by the yet clear how soon, or how often, individual paying customers will assistance. Hence the suggestion that the crew could qualify for answer was ‘yes,’” Branson added during his GMA appearance. “I’m FAA of our full commercial launch license, in conjunction with the follow. the Lilienthal medal and a Gold C with three (and more diamonds). just expecting the most extraordinary trip of my lifetime and, by success of our May 22 test flight, give us confidence as we proceed toward our first fully crewed test flight this summer.” Real interesting stuff. pioneering it myself, an extraordinary trip of a lifetime for other Fewer than 600 people have flown high enough to pierce the people in the future and obviously for the other five people who boundary of space. Hundreds more are said to be waiting in Amazon CEO and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos has signalled his “I’ve always been a dreamer” says this dynamic/dreamer promotor are going to be on board the spaceship with me — we’re all now line, tickets in hand, for a flight above in Virgin Galactic’s Unity intent to launch July 20, the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon Branson.“ My mum taught me to never give up and to reach for the hitting the ceiling.” Come the day of the flight, Virgin Galactic spaceship, one of three spacecraft built by private companies with landing, and this month announced that his brother, Mark, will join stars. On July 11, it’s time to turn that dream into a reality aboard says the flight will be live-streamed on the company’s website and paying customers in mind. Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson him on that flight. Another seat on Blue Origin’s first crewed space the next Virgin Galactic, named after the airline he created, “This across various social media channels beginning at 9 am ET. may soon take his turn aboard VSS Unity, the air-launched rocket launch was claimed with a $28 million winning bid in a charity project is so professional and beautiful. I love this company so developed from an original design by Burt Rutan. Virgin Galactic has auction that drew 7,600 participants from 159 countries. (The much - you have no idea. I am going into space!” The 70 year old founder of Virgin Galactic announced Thursday that he reported selling 600 tickets for a round-trip excursion from New will travel to space as a mission specialist aboard his company’s VSS winning bidder will be named later, Blue Origin said.) Mexico that will include a few minutes of weightlessness. The Gateway to Mars - The adventurer, philanthropist and Unity on July 11, and will be among a six-person crew on the “Unity 22” mission, which is scheduled to take off from New Mexico ahead of SpaceX founder Elon Musk sold a rocket ride aboard the Dragon troublemaker Branson, (otherwise known as Dr Yes at @virgin ) A successful VSS Unity test flight in May was followed in June by Bezos’ New Shepard rocket, which will depart on July 20 from Van Horn, spacecraft to fellow billionaire Jared Isaacman, an experienced believes in turning ideas into reality. So a new space age is coming. FAA approval to carry passengers on future flights. The company’s Texas. The forthcoming trip to space will be Virgin Galactic’s fourth aviator who will lead an all-civilian crew on an orbital mission Watch Virgin Galactic spaceflight Unity 22 LIVE on July 11 at 6 am PT/9 am ET. Joining him on his mission will be pilots Dave MacKay crewed spaceflight and the VSS Unity’s twenty-second flight test, the that aims to raise more than $200 million for St. Jude Children’s company said. RELATED: Jeff Bezos Travelling to Space with His Research Hospital. The Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket have and Michael Masucci, as well as Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor Beth Moses, lead operations engineer Colin Bennett and Brother in July: ‘Greatest Adventure with My Best Friend’. We are completed three successful flights with NASA astronauts aboard at the vanguard of a new industry determined to pioneer twenty- since the company made the first crewed flight to the International Sirisha Bandla, the company’s vice president for government affairs and research operations. first century spacecraft, which will open space to everybody — and Space Station on May 30, 2020; they were the first people launched change the world for good.” Sir Richard into orbit from the United States since 2011. Isaacman and his Branson. – Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Inspirational four crew have been training for their multi day orbital Virgin Galactic“I truly believe that space mission, the first orbital flight by an all-civilian crew, that they plan belongs to all of us. After more than 16 to launch “no sooner than” September 30. years of research, engineering, and testing, Virgin Galactic stands at the vanguard of With billions of dollars spent to date on this flurry of commercial a new commercial space industry, which space superlatives, sceptical spectators wonder how many flights is set to open space to humankind and will be packed with millionaires who are able to afford tickets The cabin weere the six billionaires will change the world for good,” Branson said priced at $200,000 or more (possibly much more) before the flight experience their first ever weightlessness. in a press release. “It’s one thing to have pace picks up enough to create something more like an economy a dream of making space more accessible seat on a future rocket ride. VSS Unity being “carried” to 50,000 feet below the mother ship - built specifically to provide the to all; it’s another for an incredible team to commuter’s launching into space. The beginning to a 55 mile powerless glide back home. collectively turn that dream into reality.”

GLIDING - REQUISITE FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE NEW SPACE PROJECTS

24 Gliding International July 2021 25 FIVE FATALATIES IN FIVE YEARS FROM MOTOR GLIDER MID-AIR FIRES There are solutions to this problem -

FIRE! FIRE! Trelleborg have recently launched Soteria FR1500 fire-resistant battery box liners. Offering a density of 1.28 g/cm3, Trelleborg’s Soteria FR1500 material is flame-resistant to +1500ºC for up to seven hours, and has a cryogenic performance rated to -192ºC. Sheets can be bonded or mechanically fastened to cover larger surface areas and machined to a specific shape using traditional cutting tools. This lightweight material (flame-resistance for up to seven hours,) makes it eminently suitable as a protective material for EV battery boxes.

SOLUTION ONE - According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire in the U.S. The exact number of motor-glider fires is not accurately recorded but a year hardly goes by without our hearing about a fatality. We decided to find a solution to the problem and identified two possible saving routines that will combat the problem, Mar-Bal Inc. (Chagrin Falls, Ohio, U.S.), a fire retardant composites manufacturer has developed the Waste-Safe fire-resistant wastebasket. Made at the company’s state-of-the-art 110,700-square-foot facility in Painesville, Ohio, the fire-resistant wastebaskets are made from thermoset composites with fibreglass reinforcement and are available in a range of colours and sizes. The UL-classified and California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)-listed product is able to contain a fire without burning, melting or collapsing, and lead to an overall improved risk management plan. Designed for safety and efficiency, Waste-Safe wastebaskets will not burn nor contribute to a fire, are low smoke and non-toxic and feature seamless construction. Soteria FR1500 is said to be easy to transport and install, making it suitable for both new and upgraded applications.

SOLUTION TWO It’s called FACE, which stands for Fire Activated Canister Extinguisher FACE has been invented by San Francisco high school student Arul Mathur. He tells us that he was inspired to create it after moving from New Jersey to California, where he discovered firsthand just how much of a threat fires pose to people’s dwellings and I knew that I needed to do something about it.” The resulting device takes the form of a wall-mounted metal canister with an air valve on top, an air pressure gauge on the side, and a sprinkler head on the bottom. It’s filled with an environmentally friendly fire retardant by the name of Cold Fire. Users initially pressurise the canister by pumping it up through its valve, utilising either a manual air pump or an electric compressor. They then periodically check the pressure on its gauge, topping it up to about 50 psi (3.4 bar) if necessary. Other than that, it pretty much just sits around until a fire occurs nearby. When that happens, the heat from the flames causes a glycerine-filled bulb in the sprinkler head to burst. This allows the pressurised water/retardant mix to shoot out the bottom of the canister and deflect off the sprinkler itself, spraying 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m) in all directions. The device doesn’t have to be connected to the home’s water supply or electrical system, plus it can be refilled after each discharge using a kit – and unlike a handheld fire extinguisher, it does its job even if no one is home to operate it. Should you be interested, FACE is presently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. Assuming it reaches production, a pledge of US$99 will get you one. The planned retail price is $120, although the price per unit will be less if multiple devices are purchased.

26 Gliding International July 2021 27 The Slovakian Klein Aircar - Exceeds Expectations Lithium Strips Take Next-Gen Battery Into Record-Breaking Territory Scientists In The U.S. Have Developed A Novel Lithium- Metal Battery That Retains Its Functionality Over 600 Cycles

ne particularly promising architecture for next-generation batteries uses pure lithium-metal, a material with excellent energy density Othat could see electric vehicles travel many times farther on each charge. A research group in the U.S. has taken a significant step Klein Vision’s transforming AirCar makes first inter-city flight forward with this technology, coming up with a design for a long-lasting lithium metal battery that remains functional for a record-breaking number of charging cycles.

The idea behind these types of batteries is to swap out the graphite used in the anode component for pure lithium metal, which can hold as hould the AirCar go into production, pilots will be able to hop between city airports, land on the much as 10 times the energy. Described as a dream material by some researchers, lithium metal is seen as key to helping us break through Srunway and then drive to their final destination – all using the same vehicle a key bottleneck in energy storage, but scientists have struggled with longevity issues with the versions developed so far failing quickly during use. After taking to the air for the first time late last year, Klein Vision’s AirCar has now aced its first inter-city flight. The aircraft/road vehicle hybrid took off from Nitra airport early on June 28, landing One of the reasons for that failure is the complex reactions that occur around the anode, affecting a thin film on top of it known as the solid in Bratislava a little over half an hour later, and then heading into the Slovakian capital by road. electrolyte interphase (SEI). This film controls the molecules that enter the anode from the electrolyte solution, through which electrons travel back and forth to and from the battery’s other electrode, known as the cathode. As we mentioned back in December of last year, the AirCar is being developed by the original inventor and designer of the Aeromobil flying car, Professor Stefan Klein – under his own company, In this way, this gate keeping role tasks the SEI with the responsibility of preventing unwanted chemical reactions as the battery is cycled, Klein Vision. and this is the mechanism targeted by the scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in a new study. It is commonly thought that loading up the amount of lithium in the anode was one way to address this problem, but the On the ground, it has the look of a Le Mans sports car, but at the push of a button the tail extends team found success through another approach. out back and the wings rise up and out to make it ready for take off. All of this takes under three minutes and is mesmerizing to watch. “Many people have thought that thicker lithium would enable the battery to cycle longer,” says Jie Xiao, a corresponding author of the paper. “But that is not always true. There is an optimised thickness for each lithium-metal battery depending on its cell energy and design.” The Klein Car has already notched up more than 40 hours of flight time under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority, It has climbed to 2,500 m (8,200 ft), achieving a maximum cruising speed of The scientists used very thin strips of lithium as the basis for their anode, each with a width of just 20 microns, far thinner than a human 190 km/h (118 mph), undertaking 45 degree turns, and going through stability and manoeuvrability hair. This anode was worked into a pouch cell battery with an energy density of 350 wh/kg. The best-in-class lithium-ion batteries in use testing. today have a density of 250 to 300 wh/kg, so while 350 wh/kg isn’t unheard of in research circles, it would be a marked improvement on currently available technologies. The current prototype makes use of “advanced composite materials” for its construction, features a 160-hp BMW engine, rocks a fixed propeller to the rear, and comes with a ballistic parachute in The left image shows electrolyte (blue) filling a pocket within a thin lithium anode, creating an effective SEI seen in green, compared to case something goes wrong. No other details have been shared at this stage. a thicker lithium anode with a largely ineffective SEI

For its first inter-city flight, the AirCar took to the skies from an airfield in Nitra, flew for 35 minutes In testing, the team found that the battery retained 76 percent of its capacity after a record 600 cycles. The same researchers had to Bratislava International Airport to make its 142nd successful landing, and was then transformed demonstrated an experimental lithium-battery that could operate across 50 cycles four years ago, then one capable of 200 cycles two into driving mode for a trip to downtown Bratislava. years ago. This current record-setting version is another key step forward and, according to the team, lasts far longer than any others under development in similar research projects. “This flight starts a new era of dual transportation vehicles,” said Professor Klein. “It opens a new category of transportation and returns the freedom originally attributed to cars back to the The team attributes the success of the design to the way the thinner strips facilitate a better SEI and therefore better interactions between individual.” Company co-founder Anton Zajac added, “AirCar is no longer just a proof of concept; the electrolyte and anode, compared to thicker strips that smother important electrochemical reactions. Having solved a key issue relating flying at 8,200 feet at a speed of 100 knots, it has turned science fiction into a reality.” to lithium metal batteries, the authors are hoping to continue to improve the technology through a multi-institute consortium known as Battery500, which is working towards an energy density of 500 wh/kg. The company has also revealed a few scant details on the upcoming pre-production prototype, too. It will be equipped with a 300-hp engine, feature a variable-pitch prop, boast a cruise speed of 300 “The Battery 500 Consortium has made great progress in increasing the energy density and extending the cycle life,” says Stanley km/h (186.4 mph), and will have a range of 1,000 km (621 miles). Prototype 2 is expected to receive Whittingham, 2019 Nobel Prize laureate in chemistry and a coauthor of the paper. “But much more needs to be done. In particular, there are EASA CS-23 aircraft certification and a M1 road permit. safety issues with lithium-metal batteries that must be addressed. That’s something that the Battery 500 team is working hard to resolve.”

Source: Klein Vision The research was published in the journal Nature Energy.

28 Gliding International July 2021 29 THERMO - ELECTRIC GENERATION ORGANIC BASED EV BATTERY TURNS FROM HEAT AND COLD TO ETHANOL FOR A BOOST IN ENERGY DENSITY

Scientists have demonstrated a new type of organic-based battery that could boost the range of electric vehicles.

e scan the latest technical news releases daily so as to present our subscribers with the latest developments that will enhance their Wsoaring skills. Battery research seems to be a never ending scene when we tabulate achievements. We find it easy to appreciate how bright the future looks and what is ahead of battery users - not only accepting what is being released almost daily but especially the more and yet more advancements that have still to be documented and cover further advances beyond what is being presented to you today!

We haven’t by any means seen the last of emerging routines. Elsewhere in this issue, Volvo have now reached 1000 klm for a motor vehicle on a single charge and if you believe the written word from Volvo, they are emerging from this scene and are predicting still major A diagram of the new thermoelectric generator adjustments to their per charge mileage total. While on the face of it, the lithium-batteries that power electric vehicles play an important role in our ongoing shift to sustainable transport, they aren’t without environmental problems of their own. Batteries that use organic, ngineers at Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) have developed a new type of thermo-electric generator, which produces an readily available materials in place of rare metals are seen as a promising part of the solution to this dilemma, and new research led by Eelectric current through a temperature gradient. By absorbing heat from the Sun on one surface and emitting it from another, the device can University of Houston scientists demonstrates how the performance of these eco-friendly devices might be brought up to speed. generate electricity day and night. As the demand for electronic devices and vehicles continues to grow, so does the reliance on lithium-ion batteries that rely on scarce It’s a basic principle of physics that heat moves from hotter objects to colder ones. Thermo-electric generators tap into that, where the metals. Front and centre of this dilemma is cobalt, the mining of which is not only associated with environmental degradation and pollution temperature gradient between two surfaces causes electrons to move from the warmer one to the cooler one, thereby creating an of water supplies, but plagued by ethical issues such as the exploitation of child labour. The use of these metals also makes recycling the electric current. This is called the Seebeck effect, and in theory these thermoelectric materials, paints and generators could be put batteries difficult at the end of the batteries life. to work to recycle waste heat from almost anywhere, such as engines, exhaust pipes, power plants, and even clothing or cookware. However, we are seeing some exciting advances being made in the development of batteries that do away with these types of materials In the new study, the NIMS researchers developed a solar-powered thermo-electric generator based on a variation of the principle and use organic ones instead. These have included organic-based batteries that can break down in acid for recycling, a heavier reliance on called the spin Seebeck effect. In this case, the current emerges from the flow of the electrons’ spins, produced by magnetic cheaper and more environmentally friendly nickel, and even one from IBM that uses materials found in seawater. materials in each electrode. The new device marries this organic architecture with another promising branch of battery research focusing on the use of solid-state The new design is made up of four layers, each with an important job to play. The top two layers are transparent to allow sunlight electrolytes. Typical batteries move their electrical charge between two electrodes, a cathode and anode, in a liquid electrolyte solution, to pass through to the bottom two layers, which absorb it. That means the top layer stays cool, the bottom layer stays warm, and but scientists are making great inroads into alternative designs that use a solid electrolyte instead. This type of architecture could also the two middle layers generate electricity from the resulting temperature gradient. allow batteries to work with a lithium metal anode, which could store as much as 10 times the energy of current devices.

A major factor that limits how useful thermo-electric generators can be is that the cold side can’t get rid of the heat fast enough, The scientists behind the new battery have solved what they say is a key limitation of organic-based, solid-state lithium batteries. Where so the temperature gradient levels out. The new device gets around this by venting its excess heat straight into space. That’s cobalt-based cathodes afford these batteries a high energy density, ones made from organic materials suffer from limited energy density, thanks to the topmost layer, a paramagnet made of gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG), which emits infrared radiation that passes which the team found to be because of microscopic structures within the cathode. directly through the atmosphere. “Cobalt-based cathodes are often favoured because the microstructure is naturally ideal but forming the ideal microstructure in an organic- The second layer is a ferro-magnet made of yttrium iron garnet, which produces the spin current from the temperature gradient. based solid-state battery is more challenging,” says study author Jibo Zhang. Scientists were able to boost the energy density of an The third layer down is a paramagnet made of platinum, which converts that spin current into a useable voltage. And the final layer organic-based solid state battery through an ethanol solvent. Working with a cathode made from an organic material called pyrene- is coated in black body paint, to absorb sunlight and hold onto heat. 4,5,9,10-tetraone (PTO), the scientists used ethanol as a solvent to alter its microstructure. This treatment resulted in a new arrangement that allowed for better transport of ions within the cathode and boosted its energy density to 302 wh/kg, which the team says is 83 The team says that this design allows the device to continue generating electricity day and night, since the bottom layers retain percent higher than current state-of-the-art solid-state batteries with organic cathodes. their heat for a while. It works best in clear weather, the engineers say, because clouds can block the infrared radiation from escaping. “We are developing low-cost, earth-abundant, cobalt-free organic-based cathode materials for a solid-state battery that will no longer require scarce transition metals found in mines,” says Yao. “This research is a step forward in increasing EV battery energy density using That said, they admit that the efficiency of the current version is still pretty low. They plan to try to boost that by tweaking the this more sustainable alternative.” design and the materials. The research was published in the journal 'Joule’. The research was published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. Source: University of Houston

Source: NIMS via Asia

30 Gliding International July 2021 31 segment and EASA Part 21G POA. The entire team of highly specialised manufacturing experts will join Volocopter’s production and workshop teams. VOLOCOPTER

Together with DG Flugzeugbau, Volocopter designed and built Volocopter is an urban air mobility company Volocopter Takes Off, the VC200, said to be the first electrically powered multicopter that develops eco-friendly air taxis to to receive a permit to fly in 2016. Volocopter then flew this transport people. Acquires model autonomously in Dubai in 2017 and at the 2018 Consumer Eelectronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Since then, the two companies Location have partnered to produce the Volocopter 2X, the VoloDrone and Bruchsal, Baden-Wurttemberg, DG FLUGZEUGBAU the VoloCity. Germany, Europe Another part of the acquisition agreement is to continue to -Receives Production Approval- honour existing sailplane production contracts, under the new Founded ownership. The remaining part of the former DG Flugzeugbau is 2011 being transitioned into the newly founded DG Aviation. With Maintenance Organization Part CAO and Design Organization Part- Number of Employees 21J, the company will continue developing and maintaining aircraft and will give complete support for DG and LS gliders. 251-500

ruchsal, Germany-based urban air mobility (UAM) firm commercial launch. “Our ten-year partnership with DG Flugzeugbau has been an Categories BVolocopter has received Production Organisation Approval, and extraordinary learning experience,” says Volocopter CEO, Florian Aerospace Air Transportation has acquired long-time partner, composite aircraft production firm UAM is an emerging part of the aviation industry focused on Reuter. “Having this legendary industry leader on our side to kick- Drones Robotics Transportation DG Flugzeubau. With this acquisition and certification, Volocopter connectivity in and around cities. Volocopter has paved the way start scalable and affordable UAM for people and cargo has been now becomes the world’s first and only eclectic vertical take-off for creating the ecosystem necessary to introduce UAM to cities a game changer. Today marks an exciting milestone as we unify DG and landing company holding both Design Organisations Approval worldwide with its electric air taxi and cargo drone services. Flugzeugbau’s leadership in aviation production with Volocopter’s Founders and Production Organisations Approval. Volocopter obtained DOA from EASA (EASA Part 21J) in 2019. pioneering UAM goals to establish yet another crucial stepping- Alexander Zosel, Stephan Wolf Through its compliance with both EASA Part 21G and Part 21 J, stone for our collective global endeavors.” Why is this important? Up until now, we’ve seen demonstrations, the company is poised to have the first commercial aircraft to Last Funding Round Details “At DG Flugzeugbau, we have always continued to strive for perhaps even walked around one at an event, but the reality of market once the company completes type certification and obtains Funding Type Series D flying taxis has been nothing short of a far-off vision for most of us. the air operator approval in compliance with EASA. Volocopter’s perfection through unique innovation with gliders, vast aerodynamic Unless you live in Singapore perhaps. certification with EASA is said to be easily transferable across improvements, and, for the past ten years, with Volocopter’s Announced Date March 3, 2021 global markets, positioning it to launch services across Europe, Asia eVTOLs,” says DG Aviation CEO, Holger Back. “We see the future in These certifications are paving the way for actual real-life and North America. these aircraft and are excited to combine a section of our company Recent News & Activity Volocopter taxi and cargo drone services to be a reality in a not- with Volocopter to invest in the future of sustainable aviation while so-far-off world. There’s a lot of EASA rules and regulations to be DG Flugzeugbau reports that it is renowned worldwide for its continuing our tradition of building gliders and maintaining aircraft.” News• adhered to (Part 21G and Part 21J, for example). Once Volocopter excellence in the production and development of glider aircraft, July 6, 2021 concluded Page 34 completes type certification and obtains the air operator approval, composite aircraft manufacturing and the tuning of World- Volocopter takes off, acquires DG Flugzeugbau, they are on track to have the first commercial aircraft to market. Championship-winning Red Bull Air-Race planes. The company has held production certification for more than 40 years, adhering to receives Production Organisation Approval Through the acquisition of DG Flugzeugbau, Volocopter will the highest safety and production standards according to EASA Acquisition - July 6, 2021 integrate the formers aircraft production segment and EASA and the Federal Aviation Office of Germany. Part 21G Production Organisation Approval. The entire staff at Volocopter acquired DG Flugzeubau for $1,700,000,000 DG Flugzeugbau will now become part of the Volocopter family. The company’s production facilities are located in Bruchsal near Discover more acquisitions In a statement, Volocopter indicated that part of the acquisition Volocopter’s headquarters. As part of this acquisition agreement, agreement will retain existing sailplane production contracts. Volocopter will integrate DG Flugzeugbau’s aircraft production News• Jul 6, 2021 “Our ten-year partnership with DG Flugzeugbau has NDTV Gadgets 360 — Volocopter Air Taxi been an extraordinary learning experience. Having this legendary industry leader on our side to kick-start scalable Startup Gains Key Production Certification by Acquiring and affordable UAM for people and cargo has been a Long-Time Partner DG Flugzeugbau game-changer. Today marks an exciting milestone as we unify DG Flugzeugbau’s leadership in aviation production News• with Volocopter’s pioneering UAM goals to establish yet Jul 6, 2021 another crucial stepping-stone for our collective global Yahoo Finance — Air taxi startup Volocopter gains key endeavors,” commented Volocopter CEO Florian Reuter. production certification

Urban air mobility (UAM) pioneer Volocopter (Bruchsal, News• Germany) has secured Production Organisation Approval (POA) in compliance with the European Union Aviation May 18, 2021 Safety Agency (EASA Part 21G) and is acquiring its TechSpot — Volocopter unveils its latest urban air mobil- long-standing partner in innovation and production, DG ity aircraft, the VoloConnect Flugzeugbau (Karlsruhe, Germany), a global leader in composite aircraft production. Through this acquisition, News• Volocopter reports it is now the first and only electric May 17, 2021 vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) company holding Bloomberg.com — Air-Taxi Startup Volocopter Unveils both the required design and production organization Four-Seater Suburban Shuttle approvals (DOA and POA) to advance its aircraft toward The dg flugzeugbau factory in bruchsal, germany

32 Gliding International July 2021 33 Volocopter Takes Off The SparrowHawk offers good cross country performance, excellent handling, ease of operation, durability, From Page 33 Aviation for the foreseeable future. When large-scale production is longevity, ease of maintenance, all at an affordable price. On the basis of a July 6 announcement, the company says that achieved, will look to move some production closer to the markets when the transaction closes later this summer it will the first and it is serving, including Europe, Asia, and North America. only eVTOL aircraft developer to hold both a POA and design organisation approval (DOA), having attained the European aviation “Having this legendary industry leader on our side to kick-start safety agency’s Part 21J clearance in 2019. scalable and affordable urban air mobility for people and cargo has been a game-changer,” said CEO Florian Reuter. “Today marks DG Flugzeugbau, which has been making composite gliders since an exciting milestone as we unify DG Flugzeugbau’s leadership 1973, has supported since its formation in 2011 by helping to in aviation production with Volocopter’s pioneering UAM goals construct prototypes for its VC200, 2X, VoloDrone, and VoloCity to establish yet another crucial stepping-stone for our collective aircraft. Both companies are based in the southern German town global endeavours.” of Bruchsal. DG Flugzeugbau has produced numerous glider models over the Through the acquisition, it will integrate its own production and past five decades, including the World Championship-winning workshop teams with DG Flugzeugbau’s production and EASA Part Red Bull Air Race planes. “We have always continued to strive for 21G POA units. The company will now trade under the name DG perfection through unique innovation with gliders, vast aerodynamic Aviation and will continue to produce gliders as well as providing improvements, and, for the past 10 years, with Volocopter’s eVTOLs,” EASA-approved maintenance services. The joint DG and team is commented CEO Holger Back. “We see the future in these aircraft building the first full prototype for the two-seat VoloCity eVTOL. and are excited to combine a section of our company with to invest The company aims to have this certified and ready to start in the future of sustainable aviation while continuing our tradition commercial operations during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in of building gliders and maintaining aircraft.” Paris. According to Volocopter, the manufacturing of prototypes and blueprint versions of its eVTOL aircraft, including the new, Other suppliers so far named by include Diehl Aerospace, which is larger, and longer-range VoloConnect model, will be done by DG. providing the flight control computer, and Autoflug for seats. Fly High With Mountain High!! The Mountain High MH EDS O2D1-2G™ portable oxygen system makes your flying at high altitudes safer and more comfortable. Experienced glider pilots know the danger of oxygen starvation (Hypoxia) and depend on MH-EDS Oxygen Systems. Visit our web site at www.MHoxygen.com for a list of dealers in your area. FEATURES TO COMPARE: s Electronic individual auto-profiling “Pulse Demand™” system s Surpasses the duration of all continuous flow systems s Automatic altitude compensation, no knobs to turn s !UDIBLE .O &AULT ALARM added safety for pinched tubes, or accidental disconnect s !UDIBLE APNEA DETECTION to ensure continuous breathing s $IGITAL -ICRO #OMPUTER electronics for accuracy OPENING UP THE WORLD’S EYES TO 3D PRODUCTION OF SAILPLANES s Does not require dual lumen or bifurcated cannulas There is a publication that emanates from Europe entitled “CompositesWorld”. It is an “In-House” journal of the world’s 3D printing s 0ORTABLE EASY TO CARRY systems industry. We at Gliding International have always found it extremely interesting. The magazine has been a source of new news leads on 3D printing for some time. Their July issue suggests that Gliding has a big future emanating from 3 D produced products and tells readers that s WWW-(OXYGENCOM s SALES -(OXYGENCOM there is much in store for the uneducated to learn about the process they are advocating. The 3D printing of a sailplane is now possible in carbon fibre but few if any Gliding International subscribers will know that the same process is now available to the same extent for base materials like aluminium, glass fibre, titanium and steel. Some of our readers will know about    s    3D products ex carbon fibre, but little or none know that the concept has been applied to a number of other base materials. (The 800 number is good only in the USA, Canada and Mexico) In aviation, Boeing leads the world closely followed by Airbus. We plan on exploring these new fields over the next few issues. To our Made in the USA Since surprise, “Composites-World” editorial staff elected to part cover the sailplane production industry using the American ultra light 1985 sailplane, the SparrowHawk (designed 2000) to illustrate 3D’s future for sailplane manufacture. Their article makes interesting reading, MOUNTAIN HIGH EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY CO. so we have decided to print their story headed “The first-ever all-carbon composite sailplane yields unprecedented manoeuvrability and Portable and Built-In Aviation Oxygen Equipment & Supplies AviationM OxygenH Systems top performance.”

34 Gliding International July 2021 35 planform and airfoil design are restricted by material and structural Savings also were realised because the smaller plane can use simpler requirements. systems than 15-metre planes without sacrificing aerodynamic performance. For instance, the SparrowHawk features fixed landing In the SparrowHawk, however, wing airfoils could be aerodynamically gear, carefully faired and integrated, instead of retractable landing customised rather than structurally determined because “I don’t gear. Also, since laminates in certain components are already at have to make the wings overly thick to make them stiff enough,” minimum thickness and core material would actually add weight, Cole explains. The wing chord (width from leading to trailing edge) the SparrowHawk incorporates DIAB Inc. is 20 percent smaller than the typical 15m wing chord. “The wings utilise five airfoils tailored to the local span requirements, minimum (DeSoto, Texas, U.S.A.) Divinycell HT foam core only where absolutely drag or maximum lift with soft stall at the correct Reynolds number.” necessary. Core spans the entire length of the wings and horizontal tail, but the fuselage contains only some strategically placed core The SparrowHawk’s flying weight loads the wings at only 10 lb/ft strips, and no core is found in any of the control surfaces. of wingspan compared to more than 16 lb/ft in a typical 15-metre craft, making possible a smaller wetted area (the surface area of Since labour costs correlate to surface area, the smaller plane the plane that directly meets the air mass), which in turn decreases also saves on labour. Additionally, unlike other sailplane classes, drag. Thus, it achieves the cross-country performance of many Ultralights do not require U.S. Federal Aviation Admin. (FAA) standard 15-metre sailplanes. But it exceeds their performance in certification. Cole estimates that keeping the weight under the climbing because the short, tailored wingspan and light weight of 70-kg/155-lb cutoff for ultralights may have saved Windward the SparrowHawk can exploit even the weak “microlift” of small Performance as much as $1 million. Ironically, Cole designed the thermals (columns of warm, rising air that sailplanes most commonly SparrowHawk for a certified material, which permitted him to SparrowHawk all-carbon composite sailplane use to climb). reduce knockdown factors that account for the material uncertainty without sacrificing safety.

The SparrowHawk’s tight turning radius and good manoeuvrability The SparrowHawk is the first production aircraft to use Toray increase the sailplane’s ability to exploit the thermal core, resulting Composites America Inc.’s (Tacoma, Wash., U.S.A.) T700S prepreg, in better lift and longer “runs” between thermals. Overall, the plane made from 12K plain-weave carbon fabric and Toray’s 2510 epoxy How Others See Us ! is more immediately responsive to the pilot, which, Cole points resin system. This material comes with a certified materials out, makes it more enjoyable to fly. “You fly sailplanes because it’s database because Toray previously participated in the DOT/FAA/ For more than four decades, the vast majority of sailplanes (also called gliders) across all challenging mentally and it’s fun physically,” he says. “If the plane AR-00/47 qualification plan, also known as the AGATE (Advanced categories have been fabricated from a wet layup of fibreglass/epoxy. The first-ever all- is responsive, it tightens up the loop of your input and the plane’s General Aviation Technology Experiment) methodology, from which carbon composite sailplane yields unprecedented manoeuvrability and top performance response.” this certification method arose. “A light, responsive sailplane like the SparrowHawk can ail planing - unpowered flight - is an expensive pastime. There build his own sailplane. FABRICATION STREAMLINING Sare several sailplane categories: Open, 15-metre, Standard effectively use scraps of lift that often punctuate difficult soaring environments,” comments Gary Osoba, who piloted this glider to and Ultralight. Large, high-performance Open-class sailplanes He still maintains a business relationship with Lancair: all of the For the unusual design to fully realise its potential, Cole also had three world records, including two speed records and a triangular sport wingspans from 18m/59 ft to 30.5m/100 ft and a price of SparrowHawk’s composite components are fabricated by Lancair to build an aerodynamically clean plane, with smooth, accurate distance record. $100,000 to $200,000 (USD) or more. Smaller, more moderately employees in the company’s Bend airport facility. Windward’s team surfaces that help minimise drag. He kept parts count low to priced sailplanes compete in the 15-metre class, limited to 15m/49- performs bonding, assembles the finished aircraft, and conducts minimise joints that could negatively affect airflow. Using the ft wingspans but with no other design restrictions. The Standard testing operations in a nearby hangar. DESIGN EFFICIENCY Toray prepreg helps ensure more consistent fibre volume and class, also limited to 15m wingspans, uses no performance- cleaner overlaps than wet layup would offer, says Cole. Parts are enhancing wing flaps. The carbon structure’s performance advantages over wet Cole knew that the exceptional performance of his carbon design bonded with Loctite Aerospace (Bay Point, Calif., U.S.A.) Hysol layup fibreglass were predictable, although achieving 15-metre could not necessitate a commensurately high price. “It has to be 9394 adhesive. Bond gaps are minimised to keep strength up and But the final category of sailplane, the Ultralight, is restricted not performance with an Ultralight is notable no matter the material. a great soaring machine; otherwise, it’s no fun,” he explains. “But adhesive weight low. by wingspan, but by empty weight - to a maximum of 70 kg/155 But the real surprise was its affordability. With a base price of extreme performance comes with extreme price, and we wanted lb. Ultralights are often dubbed “floaters” for their relatively slow $33,950 (USD), the SparrowHawk is priced well under new 15-metre to hold the price down.” One means of accomplishing this end was Windward also uses the precise manufacturing techniques typically speed and poor cross-country (i.e., straight-flight) performance. sailplanes, which cost from $50,000 to $70,000. Cole attributes to have most of the structural parts serve multiple functions. “If it’s used for high-performance and commercial aircraft. For the sake of Standard-class sailplanes, by comparison, offer much better cross- both performance and affordability to the design freedom, design in the plane,” Cole says, “it’s probably doing two jobs - a stiffener precision and repeatability, Cole built and used his production tools country performance, but cost significantly more than Ultralight efficiency and fabrication streamlining that resulted from the use and a redundant load path, for example.” Bonded-in rein forcements for the very first SparrowHawk. The tools were fabricated from sailplanes. of carbon fibre. around the wing attachment fittings not only secure the wings but plugs with wet layup, with eight plies of carbon and two centre also are structurally tied into the cockpit seat, thus helping to layers of fibreglass, using resin systems from PTM&W Industries They also may not maneouver as well in the air and are harder to “SMALLER, LIGHTER, SMALLER, LIGHTER” distribute shear loads from the seat up into the wings. Inc. manage on the ground because of both size and weight. Bridging these two classes, a new lightweight sailplane, the SparrowHawk Looking first at conventional materials, including aluminum and Similarly, the front bulkhead also serves as a lateral stabiliser for SOARING RESULTS from Windward Performance LLC (Bend, Ore., U.S.A.), is designed fibreglass, Cole recognised that he could build a lighter sailplane the crush zone and creates the plenum chamber for air circulation. to meet Ultralight weight requirements and reduce sailplane cost with more advanced materials; and these more advanced materials Cole comments that most sailplane manufacturers do not attempt Structural loading on the first plane’s fuselage and wings to 150 into the bargain, while offering performance equivalent to or better afforded the craft aerodynamic advantages that allowed him to similar multiple-purpose designs because the process is challenging percent of design limits demonstrated the SparrowHawk’s safety than Standard-class sailplanes. The key to both performance and consider a shorter wingspan, a thinner wing profile and a significant and laborious. “But if you do the work in design and tooling,” he margins and air-worthiness. Flight tests checked handling, stall and affordability, surprisingly, is carbon fibre. overall weight reduction. “As the design went down this smaller/ says, “then you get the benefits.” spin behavior, aerodynamic control, and launch behavior, all with lighter spiral,” he recalls, “it picked up all these benefits - handle satisfying results. Consequently, later planes have used the same For more than four decades, the vast majority of sailplanes (also ability, fewer materials so less cost, the extra option of a parachute The cockpit closeout is especially efficient: Cole created a box design, tooling and ply schedule as the first SparrowHawk. called gliders) across all categories have been fabricated from a wet recovery system, and so on.” structure that reinforces the opening around the canopy and also layup of fibreglass/epoxy. The SparrowHawk is the first sailplane serves as ventilation duct work. Moulded into the closeout are The first SparrowHawk took flight in 2001. To date, 12 planes have with all-carbon composite wings and fuselage. It was created The most visible result of the all-carbon design is the 11m/36-ft the ventilation exits, the tow hook handle, the ballistic recovery been completed, and Windward has orders through number 18. Cole by general aviation veteran Greg Cole. Previously chief engineer wingspan, which appears stunted since the SparrowHawk’s length system’s firing handle (used to deploy the parachute) and the catch plans to build a complete line of sailplanes in the SparrowHawk of research and development at The Lancair Company Co., Cole of 6.3 m/20.6 ft is comparable to sailplanes with 15m wingspans. for the air brake handle. All of these pieces are made from carbon/ tradition, including a two-seat training plane and a self-launching helped design that company’s Columbia 300 aircraft and the wing Under conventional thinking, Cole points out, gliders are being epoxy, saving the weight of metal attachments, and the closeout glider, which includes a small motor for take-offs. He remains for the Legacy 2000. But his passion for soaring prompted Cole’s designed with longer wings to decrease induced drag. But longer transfers the loads from each attachment into the fuselage. a believer in carbon composites. “Carbon frees up the design formation, five years ago, of Windward Performance to design and wings demand more material for strength and stiffness, so constraints,” he says. “The materials allow the structure.”

36 Gliding International July 2021 37 ARE YOU ONE OF OUR AGEING PILOTS ? istory is littered with anecdotal evidence of the relationship Hbetween stress and greying hair, from Marie Antionette’s overnight transformation following her capture, to US presidents taking on more salt than pepper during their tenure. A new study has produced first- of-a-kind scientific evidence of this connection, identifying proteins in human hairs that seem to drive this process, while also demonstrating how it might even be reversed.

The study was carried out by scientists at Columbia University who took aim at what they see as a gap in this type of research so far. While psychological stress has long been seen as a driver of greying hair, it has been difficult for scientists to connect the dots, as correlating hair pigmentation with times of individual stress is a tricky undertaking.

As a solution to this, the scientists enlisted 14 volunteers who kept different signals, including psychological stress.” “stress diaries,” in which they reviewed their calendars and rated weeks SKYTRAC by levels of stress. These subjects then supplied the scientists with hair The role of mitochondria in linking stress and hair colour is what separates samples, which the scientists split into tiny slices and analysed to map this study from others exploring the phenomenon. A notable one the degree of greying. Each slice, measuring around a twentieth of a published by Harvard researchers in 2020, for example, demonstrated millimetre wide, represented about an hour of hair growth, and provided in mice that acute stress can cause the permanent deletion of pigment- and GigSky a quantifiable physical timescale of the greying process. producing stem cells in hair follicles.

“If you use your eyes to look at a hair, it will seem like it’s the same colour “Our data show that greying is reversible in people, which implicates a announce aviation throughout unless there is a major transition,” says Ayelet Rosenberg, different mechanism,” says co-author of the new study, Ralf Paus. “Mice first author on the study. “Under a high-resolution scanner, you see small, have very different hair follicle biology, and this may be an instance communication deal subtle variations in colour, and that’s what we’re measuring.” where findings in mice don’t translate well to people.” Hair pigmentation patterns of 100 hairs from a male and female study The study certainly raises some interesting questions around stress and subject, with lighter hair colours in blue and darker in red grey ing hair, and how lifestyle changes could affect the process. While SKYTRAC Systems Ltd. and GigSky Inc. have launched a partnership Pratt & Whitney - Superior Performance for a higher purpose - avoiding stress is good for our health in all sorts of ways, the scientists Hair pigmentation patterns of 100 hairs from a male and female study that the companies say is ‘set to deliver highly available mission- Lemore digital plane location emphasize that it will have limitations when it comes to keeping our hair subject, with lighter hair colours in blue and darker in redRosenberg et youthful and full of colour. critical data to the aviation industry through global high-speed al. (2021) cellular connectivity’ INDUSTRY COMMENT “Based on our mathematical modelling, we think hair needs to reach a Comparing these variations to the stress diaries provided some threshold before it turns grey,” Picard says. “In middle age, when the hair Aviation services provider Gulf Helicopters Company (GHC) has “SKYTRAC chose GigSky to implement cellular data service on the interesting insights. Not only were “striking associations” between stress is near that threshold because of biological age and other factors, stress selected SKYTRAC real-time connectivity to support and improve DAL-200 given their experience in the aviation community and the and hair greying found, but in some cases a reversal of that greying as will push it over the threshold and it transitions to grey. But we don’t its Leonardo AW139 and AW189 HUMS and Flight Data Monitoring investments they have made in deploying mission-critical mobile the individual’s stress was alleviated was also seen. Grey hairs returning think that reducing stress in a 70-year-old who’s been grey for years will (FDM) data networks for airlines across the world. to their natural colour is something that has never been quantitatively darken their hair or increasing stress in a 10-year-old will be enough to documented, according to the researchers. tip their hair over the grey threshold.” SKYTRAC will add GigSky cellular connectivity in 200+ countries to We Look forward to continue working with them as we roll out their DAL-200 onboard communications server to deliver a seamless integrated solutions to our growing customer base,” said Jan van “There was one mathematical model, the team tied these alterations to The research was published in the journal eLife, while the video below solution adding to longstanding satellite and WiFi connectivity der Heul, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at SKYTRAC. stress-induced changes in the mitochondria. offers a look at the team’s observations. capabilities. It’s True: Stress Does Turn Hair Grey (And It’s Reversible) GigSky, a provider of cellular connectivity and eSIM solutions for “We often hear that the mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, Simplifying the sourcing and integrating of multiple connectivity, consumers, businesses, and manufacturers, has quickly become a but that’s not the only role they play, ” Picard says. “Mitochondria are Source: Columbia University hardware, and software solutions from various vendors worldwide, global leader in multi-meshed carrier networks. actually like little antennas inside the cell that respond to a number of SKYTRAC customers can now receive access to connected services anywhere, anytime, in the air or on the ground. “Throughout our history, we have focused on bringing innovation to the mobile communications industry. We see the connected aircraft SKYTRAC users can expect to leverage downloading of FDM/FOQA as the next big advance in efficiency and safety within aviation. and HUMS data, automatic updates to Electronic Flight Bags with Our history of delivering EFB data solutions to the global aviation flight plans and charts, weather to the cockpit services, VIP cabin industry and now, our partnership with SKYTRAC, has driven us connectivity, medical data transfers, and much more. to develop a cellular data network with a keen focus on service quality and collaboration. We are excited about the future of our The DAL-200 will provide connectivity to WiFi enabled devices in partnership. the cockpit and in the cabin leading to streamlined deployment of services to the pilot. This connectivity will automate previously We see SKYTRAC as a thought leader in deploying applications of manual processes while generating operational efficiencies and always-connected services which we expect to continue to grow at enhancements to customer service. The SKYTRAC cellular data an exponential rate,” said Vikas Chand, Vice President of Sales at solution powered by GigSky is available today as an integrated GigSky Inc. service on the DAL-200.

38 Gliding International July 2021 39 Wheels/Brakes Landing Gear International Aviation News For Glider Pilots

International News report specifically for Gliding Pilots

TM Shock Wheel PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH WAS THE BRITISH GLIDING ASSOCIATION’S PATRON (FOR OVER 60 YEARS), a pilot with over 5000 pilot in command hours. Few, if any, glider pilots knew that Prince Philip had an intense interest in greyhound racing. Prince Philip was a frequent visitor to New Zealand and around 50 years ago, a Royal Rough airstrips ... Commission in New Zealand heralded a Royal Visit by the Queen and her consort which initiated the usual exchange of gifts. This 1970s event changed New Zealand ‘s Greyhound Racing forever. It sounds an unlikely story - a man born Hard landings ... in Corfu, Greece with the name Philippos Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg would serve with distinction in the Royal Navy during World War II and who shortly after War’s end would marry the woman who not long after was crowned Queen of England. Adding to this scene, we now enter English soldier, Major John Blakely, also served Raise the bar of safety in the war and emigrated after its end to New Zealand after the war ended. He became involved in greyhound racing as a trainer and administrator. In this latter role, Blakely appeared before NZ’s Royal Commission into Racing - greyhounds. The And increase the life of you tow-plane sport was seeking to join the horses and have government approval to betting on their sport. Blakely bred and named a greyhound named “Royal,Commission.” Blakely and the Duke’s paths crossed during the 1970 Royal Visit to New Zealand, and an invitation to the Royal Yacht Britannia led to Blakely gifting Royal Commission to the Duke. The Duke accepted and assented to Blakely remaining her trainer. The Duke reciprocated the gift by commissioning a Silver Collar that has become the most sought after trophy in New Zealand Greyhound Racing and the rest is history. June 2021 has seen the 50th running of the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar in Auckland, New Zealand. Gliding Wheel / Brake Kit for : seems to be a long way removed from gliding, but interesting nevertheless.

LS4 - ASW20 SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL AIR MUSEUM - FUTURE GALLERY FUNDING. THEY HAVE 165 MILLION REASONS TO SAY THANK YOU! - As you know, we have been hard at work over the Discus/Ventus 2A -Duo Discus - Arcus last few years on a major renovation of our location on the National Mall in Washington, DC, HPH 304S - Lak 17A / Minilak including reimagining all 23 galleries and presentation spaces. We are pleased to announce that we have passed the halfway mark of our $250 million fundraising campaign to transform Jonker - Pegase our galleries, having raised $165 million so far. We’re grateful to everyone who has contributed and helped us surpass the halfway mark to our campaign. The first eight new galleries are H201 Libelle - Swift scheduled to open in the fall of 2022. This includes reimagined galleries like ‘America by Air’ and Kenneth C. Griffin ‘Exploring the Planets’ and brand new galleries like Thomas W. Haas ‘We All Fly and Nation of Speed.’ Take a sneak peek at these galleries in a new blog. While we have Upgrade your safety - Save weight crossed a major milestone on our Ignite Tomorrow fundraising campaign, we still have a ways to go before we reach our goal. Gifts of all • Tubeless wheel sizes are important and we are depending on supporters like you to help us complete our transformation and produce state-of-the-art exhibitions and events that will captivate millions, online and in-person. Give today and help us Ignite Tomorrow. • Powerful brakes SALINAS – THE CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW SALINAS is • Anti-skid set to take flight in late October after being grounded last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We always apply for the military jet teams in • Easy maintenance July so we applied in 2020 for the 2021 season,” said Harry Wardwell, the Salinas Airshow executive director. They found out in December BERINGER AERO Headquarters : they had been selected for Oct. 30-31 by the Thunderbirds, the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron. Tickets for this year’s event will be [email protected] available starting May 17 on the Salinas Airshow website at https:// NZ Dealers on : www.beringer-aero.com salinasaiIt will be more than two years since the last Salinas Airshow held in March 2019, but the 2021 event, the 40th rendition of the show, Agreements : could still face setbacks. Wardwell said the biggest concern for the Quality and Performance since 1985 EASA Part21G / APDOA Airshow is the ongoing pandemic.

40 Gliding International July 2021 41 DILLINGHAM AIRFIELD RECEIVES A SIX-MONTH REPRIEVE - Scheduled 100 YEARS AGO - JUNE 15, 1921 BESSIE COLEMAN WAS THE FIRST to be closed on June 30, Dillingham field, Hawaii, a centre for gliding AFRCAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO EARN A PILOT’S LICENSE. On at Honolulu has received a reprieve and will continue to operate at least June 15, 1921, Bessie Coleman received the first pilot’s license issued through to,the end of the year as the Hawaii Department of Transportation to an African American woman and to a Native American woman. The Aviation Division (HDOTA) works through issues related to lease terms. In license was issued by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale a recent letter to tenants the HDOTA cautioned that “because it is not (FAI), the aviation licensing body of Europe. In doing so, Coleman, certain that DOTA will be able to negotiate acceptable terms for a new a bravely independent and determined woman, sought to fulfill her mother’s hope for her children: “to amount to something.” In this Jim lease, it is important that you understand that DOTA is still working with Crow era, when racism and segregation were both widespread and the Federal Aviation Administration on the process for terminating the dictated by law, Coleman’s personal drive and accomplishments are lease and closing the airport.” HDOTA has managed the field under a truly astounding. Aviation was new to everyone in the early 1920s series of leases with the U.S. Army since 1962, and the facility has become as air circuses introduced it to the public via exhibitions and rides. a popular site for glider and skydiving operations. The facility remains People were not yet traveling by air. Coleman’s remarkable journey joint use, with the Army having first priority. While its latest lease wasn’t set to expire until 2024, HDOTA in recent years indicated it planned reflects the racist and sexist struggles many faced across the nation, to exit the lease early and had been negotiating those terms. But ultimate closure has been pushed off from a number of factors, including and worldwide, in the 1920s—both in the air and on the ground. the pandemic. Facing the end of the lease, local airport advocates and businesses have banded together as the Save Dillingham Airport Bessie Coleman had a short, but pioneering career as a pilot; her group and worked with organisations including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association to generate support for the facility. The local goal was to open her own flight school for all interested students. advocacy group welcomed the decision to extend the termination date as “great news” but expressed disappointment that it had only been Coleman was born in Atlanta, Texas, in 1892—one of 13 children moved to the end of the year. A hurdle involves obligations surrounding the outdated airport water system, but the Save Dillingham Airport to an African American mother and father (he was also part Native Group expressed optimism that progress is being made. However, the group acknowledged it needs a “greater definition” of what progress is American). They lived on a small farm outside of Waxahachie, Texas, necessary to satisfy HDOTA. It appears that the Army is interested in extending a long-term lease. AOPA also called disappointing the fact where her father was a day laborer and her mother a domestic worker that HDOTA set “another arbitrary eviction date” and noted that the state has been unwilling to rent empty hangars at the facility to a waiting in a white family home. In 1901, when she was nine, her father left the list of potential tenants. But AOPA agrees that the situation has taken a positive turn with a number of “moving parts.” family for more opportunity (with his Native American heritage) in Oklahoma. The older children started joining the Great Migration north to Chicago and Coleman arrived there in 1915, later followed by her mother and the rest of the family. When Coleman was 27 years old, she found herself at a personal crossroads in 1920s segregated Chicago, seeking opportunities beyond her current job as a manicurist in beauty salons. When her brother, AFTERMATH CORONA VIRUS 19 - WORRIED ABOUT YOUR FITNESS? a World War I veteran, taunted her about her future with stories of French women pilots she took it as a challenge: “That’s it… You just called it for NEW PT TEST EXERCISE OPTIONS PLANNED BY THE U.S. AIR FORCE me!” She, like many others, had followed press coverage of World War I aviation heroes, but hearing about these French female pilots lit a spark. - The Air Force will resume revamped physical fitness testing on July However, in the United States, Black men were not welcome in aviation, let alone Black women. Determined, even after white pilots refused to give 1 after a lengthy, COVID-induced delay, but still more changes are her instruction, Coleman sought advice from Robert Abbot, the publisher of the influential Black newspaper the Chicago Defender, and a constant coming as the service is set to debut new alternative options for the advocate for the inclusion of people of color in American society. Sensing her commitment, and the resulting publicity if she succeeded, he advised test in January 2022. The official announcement on what those new her to learn French and seek training in France where Black people experienced more respect and opportunity than they did in the United States. testing options will be outside the standard 1.5 mile run, push-ups, and Coleman traveled to France twice for flight training–because she could not find training as an African American woman in the United Stations. sit-ups is coming “soon,” Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Passport picture. (SI-92-16052-A) Accordingly, Coleman enrolled in French lessons, and through jobs, family, and friends, saved enough money to S. Bass said June 28 in a virtual “Coffee Chat” event. However, Lt. journey to Paris. She was accepted by the Caudron Brothers School of Aviation, a well-respected flight school run by the renowned builders of World Gen. Brian T. Kelly, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel, and War I aircraft. She learned to fly in a Nieuport 82 dual-controlled trainer and earned her pilot’s license on June 15, 1921. Ten months after she moved to services, offered a sneak peak on what has and hasn’t been approved. Paris, she sailed home, pilot’s license in hand. Though acknowledged by the press in New York City and the Chicago Defender, she quickly determined “Say you’re not a long distance runner, … we have a way to do a shuttle that more training was needed to safely perform stunts and someday instruct at her own flight school, which was her dream. Coleman returned to run back and forth, about 20-25 metres apart over a timed distance, Europe to train with veteran war pilots in France and Germany. She received her FAI license on June 15, 1921, becoming the first African American and the fastest you can do that will correlate your score, just like your woman to do so. On September 3, 1922, in a borrowed Curtiss JN-4D Jenny at Curtiss Field on Long Island, Coleman made the first public flight by a Black woman in the United States. It was followed by a flight in Memphis, Tennessee, and then a triumphant exhibition before the friendly, integrated 1.5 mile distance,” Kelly said. “… There’ll be an option to walk. Today crowd of 2,000 at Checkerboard Field in Chicago on October 15. However, subsequent flights and film opportunities did not pan out, so in early 1923, you can only walk if you get a medical leave, right? You’ll have an option to walk as well.” For sit-ups, planks will be allowed as an alternative she went to California, lured by an advertising venture with Coast Tire and Rubber of Oakland, hoping to break into barnstorming (pilots of the era measure of core strength. For push-ups, Kelly said, there will be a new option to do what he termed “raised hand push-ups.” ,“So instead of earned a marginal living by joining aerial circuses or flying from town to town putting on exhibitions and giving rides in biplanes like the Curtiss Jenny). just going up and down, you’ll be in your push-up position and periodically raise a hand up and push the hand down and do that for a certain Coleman’s first public flight in California ended in disaster when, on February 4, 1923, the engine in her newly purchased ($400) military surplus amount of time.” Airmen will be able to pick and choose which testing options they prefer, Kelly said, and can mix traditional elements in one Curtiss Jenny quit on takeoff at 300 feet, and crashed. She spent three months in the hospital. Coleman managed one flight, billed as “the only component with alternative ones in another. The scoring system will remain on a scale of 100 points, with 60 points going towards the cardio colored aviatrix in the world,” in Columbus, Ohio, later that year, and then spent a year and a half saving money. By May 1925, she was in Houston for component and 20 each for the other two. There will be a six-month “break-in” period when the new options are introduced, and adjustments the first of a multi-city tour including her childhood home of Waxahachie, Texas. Large integrated crowds watched her perform loops, figure-eights, will be made as necessary, Kelly added. While it is not clear if there will be any other alternative options allowed in the new system, Kelly and parachute jumps (if she couldn’t find anyone else to do it) and paid for short rides in her borrowed plane. Black audiences, especially women, did throw some cold water on the notion that exercises like swimming, biking, or rowing would be included. “In the end, we probably won’t enjoyed her shows and talks, and offered hospitality in the form of rooms and meals. This community support was essential for her personal safety offer those, and the reason we won’t offer those is it’s really hard to offer those at all locations,” Kelly said. “If you happen to be Airmen at a as a Black woman flying in a segregated atmosphere where a forced landing could be catastrophic. She established herself as a real barnstormer remote location or something and you can’t get a pool and it’s not available to you, it just doesn’t make it equitable for the force. We need to and popular speaker whose talks often paid more than her flying. Coleman told audiences: “Did you know you’ve never lived until you have flown?” be able to execute each component everywhere.” Bass added that she was initially a fan of including rowing as an option but realised that Coleman was never closer to her long-standing goal of opening a flight school for all. Then, on April 30, 1926, at Paxon Field in Jacksonville, Florida, rowing machines weren’t widely available. That doesn’t mean things can’t change in the future though, she said. One element of PT testing disaster struck as she went up for a practice flight in her newly purchased Jenny that her mechanic, William Wills, had just flown in from Texas. Wills that won’t be coming back July 1 is the waist measurement component. But starting in October, there will still be body measurements taken, piloted the plane as she surveyed the ground for a suitable parachute landing site for the next day’s show. She did not buckle her seat belt because as is required by law, Kelly said. However, he noted, that leadership is looking into possible alternative methods to measure body composition. it prevented her from looking over the side the plane. Cruising at 3,500 feet about ten minutes into the flight, the Curtiss Jenny biplane accelerated and then suddenly went into a nosedive and tailspin, flipping over. Coleman was thrown from the aircraft and plunged to her death. Wills crashed with the plane and was also killed. Authorities found that a loose engineers wrench had become lodged in the control column box. WHERE SHOULD I GET A FULL TIME JOB IN THE U.S.A.? For the ninth consecutive year, the Partnership for Public Service has ranked NASA as the ABOUT AOPA SINCE 1939, AOPA has protected the freedom to fly by creating an environment that gives people of all ages an opportunity to enjoy Best Place to Work in the Federal Government among large agencies. New for aviation and all it has to offer. AOPA is the world’s largest community of pilots, aircraft owners and aviation enthusiasts with representatives based the 2020 year sees NASA ranked No. 1 among large agencies for its response in Frederick, Md., Washington, D.C., and seven regions across the United States. The association provides member services including advocacy at the to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The rankings, announced June 23 , federal, state, and local levels, legal services, flight training and safety programs, and award-winning media. AOPA specialises in making aviation more reflect NASA’s focus and dedication as it pursues missions, including sending accessible to everyone. To learn more, visit www.aopa.org. humans farther into space than ever before. In 2020, the agency saw its highest employee satisfaction results since this index was developed. “NASA’s selection PILOTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A COVID 19 MEDICAL PROBLEM - The FAA’s Federal Air Surgeon says pilots who have had COVID-19 have to as the Best Place to Work in Government for the ninth year in a row is a testament come clean with their AMEs or risk losing their medicals. Dr. Susan Northrup wrote in a safety bulletin AMEs have been told to use their own judgment to the dedication and determination of our world-class workforce through the in determining the fitness to fly for those who have recovered from the disease but that means pilots have to be ready to furnish the medical records most difficult circumstances our nation has faced in generations,” said NASA that will support that decision. “Unfortunately, while the vast majority of airmen can be issued a certificate by their AME right away, we have denied Administrator Bill Nelson. The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government a medical certificate for a small number of airmen after a COVID infection,” Northrup wrote. She said most of those were the result of pilots refusing rankings are based on responses to the Office of Personnel Management’s to provide the documentation. Those who became infected and got through the illness without complications will most likely get their medicals annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey from almost 624,800 employees at 482 federal agencies and offices. The Partnership for Public approved routinely. But AMEs have been told to be on the lookout for those who develop issues weeks or months after their COVID-19 diagnosis because the symptoms can be disqualifying. “Manifestations include dysfunction of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal (kidney), or neurological Service began publishing the rankings in 2003. systems,” Northrup wrote. “You should report mental health symptoms (‘brain fog,’ depression, anxiety) or other symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, headache, fever, loss of smell or taste, dizziness when standing, joint or muscle pains, or chest pain to your AME.”

42 Gliding International July 2021 43 COLLINS AEROSPACE RAMPS UP ELECTRIC MOTOR DEVELOPMENT WHICH VACCINE BOOSTER IS BEST ? One question, answered: While vaccines continue to perform against the coronavirus variants, FOR AIRLANDER 10 AIRSHIP On June 29 Collins Aerospace (Solihull, some experts believe that Johnson & Johnson recipients may need a Pfizer or Moderna booster shot. Should Americans who first U.K.), a Raytheon Technologies business, announced it has completed got J&J seek out an mRNA shot on top of their current protection? The J&J vaccine is, like the other vaccines available in the United critical design review and started fabrication of a 500 kilowatt (kW) States, a truly stellar shot. But the virus is changing quickly. Some experts have said that they’re worried that Delta—a super- electric motor for the Airlander 10 aircraft (which makes extensive transmissible variant that’s able to dodge some of our immune defences—will be able to stump J&J more often than an mRNA vaccine. use of composites. The future of zero-carbon aviation”) under a The CDC is not currently recommending that Americans get these extra shots, but several experts have told Gliding International that partnership with Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV, Bedford, U.K.) and the J&J is probably one of the first vaccines we’ll need to eventually boost. The efficacy of mixing and matching vaccines is still under University of Nottingham. Flight qualification testing of the motor investigation; early data from the United Kingdom suggests that the strategy might lead to slightly rougher side effects. But there’s is expected to occur in 2023, followed by hybrid-electric operation immense potential too: Opting for an mRNA vaccine after the J&J shot could mean juicing up slightly different parts of the immune of Airlander 10 by 2025 and all-electric, zero-emission operation by system, creating a more comprehensive antiviral response. Should Americans who first got J&J seek out an mRNA shot on top of 2030. To achieve these improvements, the airliner’s four fuel-burning their current protection? The J&J vaccine is, like the other vaccines available in the United States, a truly stellar shot. But the virus is engines will be replaced by Collins’ 500 kW electric motors, beginning changing quickly. Some experts have said that they’re worried that Delta—a super-transmissible variant that’s able to dodge some of with the two forward engines in 2025 and the two rear engines in our immune defences—will be able to stump J&J more often than an mRNA vaccine. 2030. Collins reports that it is designing and testing the motor at its Electronic Controls and Motor Systems Centre of Excellence in CONTENDER IN THE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES SPACE It was Albert Einstein who said “We can’t solve problems by Solihull, U.K., where it recently invested $18 million to expand the using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”. So stand by - we are introducing you to NEO Battery Materials Ltd. campus and add world-class power electronics and motor development capabilities. “Airlander 10 has the potential to be the world’s first zero-emission aircraft, while pioneering game-changing electric flight technologies in the process,” says Marc Holme, senior director, (TSXV: NBM) (“NEO”), a Canadian battery materials company with a declared focus on developing silicon anode materials through an Electronic Controls and Motor Systems for Collins Aerospace. “As the aerospace industry continues to look for ways to reduce its carbon ion and electronic-conductive polymer nanocoating technology. NEO Battery Materials Ltd is certainly a company that one should footprint, electric propulsion offers a significant solution that will create a more sustainable future for our industry and our planet.” The get on their radar a.s.a.p. A quadruple in just a month after being moribund for some time, they closed up 30.99% today (June 28). Airlander program expects to address key goals of the U.K. Aerospace Technology Strategy including strengthening the U.K.’s aerospace Background on NEO for a moment, please — on June 7, 2021, NEO reported that they had achieved a five-minute ultra-fast charging capabilities, positioning the U.K. for developing future generations of civil aircraft and advancing a new generation of efficient propulsion capability using their silicon anode technology. On June 11, 2021, they announced that the company has entered into a Memorandum technologies. Coloured carbon fibre: Options for adding color have been around for decades, but new products are hoping to up the ante of Understanding with a South Korean silicon powder manufacturer to pursue strategic opportunities for the advancement of low- and open new markets. cost, scalable silicon anodes. This was followed by an announcement on June 18, 2021 that the company had successful results in integrating NEO’s silicon into graphite-based anodes for improved longevity, stability and capacity retention. Lastly and twice more IDEAL SUV TOWING VEHICLE Volvo utili-wagon concept fast heading in June, the company announced that work had commenced on a pilot plant design for manufacture of the silicon anode technology, toward 1000 klm on single charge. Volvo is laying out an ambitious calendar commercialisation of high-silicon content anodes and integrating NEO’s silicon into sulfide solid-state electrolytes. That’s a lot of as it moves toward becoming an all-electric premium car brand by 2030. news in a very short time, but investors who know the company also know that the information and updates released in June are As previewed by the all-new Concept Recharge SUV(ish), the Swedish actually just the culmination of silicon anode technology and processes that have been researched and refined for seven years. And automaker’s next generation of electric vehicles will push toward longer if investors don’t already know it, the company also has mining claims near Golden, British Columbia along a strike with a quartzite driving ranges, faster, bidirectional charging, and rapidly evolving tech. The bed targeting silica in the quartzite. And may add more, depending on the results of a potential exploitation program. Not only is NEO Concept Recharge looks quite different from Polestar’s future and certainly leading in the technology but the company is also seeking to supply their own silica. A recent $2.0 million financing closed in May, so isn’t the prettiest electric car to roll out of the Geely Group, but it represents the company is relatively capitalised for now and have announced that NEO will be seeking a US OTCQB listing in the near future – a step toward giving drivers exactly the type of electric vehicle for which another equity raise could be on the rise. they clamour. Volvo presented its plans at the Volvo Cars Tech Moment event in Gothenburg on July 1., focusing attention on how it will mould a new generation of smart, fast-updating electric vehicles that spend more time driving and less time plugged into the charger. The company intends for EVs to make up half its vehicle sales by the middle of this decade, ahead of it becoming a pure-electric brand by 2030. Volvo isn’t merely going electric, it’s pushing to develop a series of electric cars that are every bit as convenient and practical as any ICE car. Together with Swedish battery specialist Northvolt, it will more closely pursue lithium-ion battery development, working to achieve 50 percent energy-density gains in support of 621 mile (1,000-km) real-world driving ranges by the latter part of the decade. It will also seek to cut charging times in half and add bidirectional charging capabilities so that electric Volvos can send power back into the grid during peak times and charge during periods of low demand.

MILD COVID-19 SYMPTOMS LINKED TO PRIOR EXPOSURE TO THE COMMON COLD - New research has discovered certain immune cells with a memory of infection by common-cold-causing coronaviruses could effectively mount an attack on SARS-CoV-2. New research has discovered certain immune cells with a memory of infection by common-cold-causing coronaviruses could effectively. Stanford University researchers has found previous recent exposure to common coronaviruses could help explain why some people infected with SARS-CoV-2 only suffer mild symptoms. The research showed specific immune cells from patients with mild cases of COVID-19 exhibit signs of prior encounters with common-cold-causing coronaviruses. One big mystery of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that appeared in late 2019, is the variability of effects it generates from person to person. Stanford University’s Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, wondered if the answer lay in a type of immune cell known as a killer T-cell. “A lot of people get very sick or die from COVID-19, while others are walking around not knowing they have it,” says Davis. “Why?” A great deal of early work on SARS- CoV-2 immunity focused on antibodies. These are the immune proteins that quickly home in on a virus and stop it from infecting our cells. But antibodies are just one weapon in our immune system’s arsenal, and Davis points out pathogens can quickly evolve ways to evade SAILPLANE GRAND PRIX The FAI Sailplane Grand Prix organisers are currently receiving bids for national Sailplane antibody attacks. Killer T-cells, on the other hand, are the immune system’s big fighters. They seek out and destroy infected cells. After Grand Prix events. The British Gliding Association administrators have announced their intentions to aggressively an initial encounter with a virus, trained killer T-cells quieten down and enter a kind of memory mode. They can persist in this surveillance submit an application to be one of the event organisers. They are rightly declaring that Sailplane Grand Prix events are state for years, on guard to quickly jump into action as soon as a targeted pathogen reappears. “Memory cells are by far the most active very high profile and are specifically structured to allow positive media presentation of our sport. With a maximum of in infectious-disease defense,” explains Davis. “They’re what you want to have in order to fight off a recurring pathogen. They’re what twenty competitors, there can be many clubs who could host a SGP event that would not normally consider hosting vaccines are meant to generate.” The problem is that tracking killer T-cells is a little more difficult than simply measuring antibody levels. such a competition. The event would be part of an International series with media presentation tools provided to the . SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh coronavirus found to affect humans. Four of these are relatively harmless, responsible for many instances of the common cold. To investigate whether killer T-cells previously trained to target common coronaviruses could explain why some people host club/organisation with great communicating opportunities. experience only mild cases of COVID-19 the researchers first needed to develop a new immune cell screening platform. As SARS-CoV-2 is somewhat related to other coronaviruses, the researchers mapped out several peptide sequences that were shared by the viruses. The closing date for bids is the end of October 2021. If any British club wants more information, the BGA office can provide contact details for Brian Spreckley, who is part of the FAI SGP organising team.

44 Gliding International July 2021 45 THINGS WITH WINGS BRINGING YOU UP TO DATE - WE FILL IN THE GAPS

EVERY YEAR, A NEW VOTE IS UNDERTAKEN AMONGST FAI ( I.G.C. Companions of Honour). I am pleased to inform readers that the 2021 FAI Awards election has resulted in the appointment of • Max Bishop • ,Bob Clipsham and • .Graeme Windsor to the role of Advisory Group, as per FAI By-Laws 9.3 . The next election will take place in May 2023. Advice from FAI Secretary General.

GRAND PRIX - SPAIN (FAI news release - June 19, 2021, It has been announced from FAI headquarters, Switzerland that the Grand Prix of Spain has just been cancelled due to current COVID19 related restrictions. But good news for pilots and fans, is that the great team of La Cerdanya will organise the next SGP Spain in 2022.

NEW SOARING LOCATION? Whilst North America’s west Coast enjoyed unpredictable extreme temperatures, the Southern Hemisphere, was not to be outdone. Antartica has experienced unprecedented temperatures - the highest on record. The World Meteorological Organisation have had a news release - the highest ever recorded at Argentina’s Esperanza station was 18.3 C - Previous highest 17.5 C, March 2015.

IT’S ‘PARTY TIME’ FOR BIZJETS Report to investors,” by analysts at investment bank Cowen see a number of factors improving fortunes for the next couple of years for the business jet industry and, in particular, for OEMs Gulfstream Aerospace and Textron Aviation. “The combo of Covid concerns, a robust stock market, and firming economy are creating the strongest bizjet environment since 2007,” the report says.

HOTEL DISCOUNTS - TRAVEL OFTEN? The Priceline Partner Network is pleased to partner with the AOPA in order to offer their members global hotel inventory at exclusive members only discounted rates. Members can enjoy discounts of up to 60% off of on selected hotels. Please use Promo code HBC8326.

U.K. PILOT (David Harbottle) HAS BEEN FINED £175,000 for falsifying licence entries. Harbottle, of Lancing, West Sussex, on trial at Brighton Magistrates’ Court was convicted of two charges of knowingly making false entries to his pilot’s licence, and one charge of acting as a pilot without an appropriate licence on seven flights. He was fined £50,000 for each of the false entries, and a further £75,000 for acting as a pilot without an appropriate licence. He was also ordered to pay costs to the CAA of £16,500 and to pay a £120 victim charge. The fines and charges totalled £191,620. A spokesperson for the CAA said: “The Civil Aviation Authority’s prosecution, has said that the convictions and substantial fines show that CAA and the Courts treat offending of this kind with the upmost severity.” LATEST FROM SCHEMPP-HIRTH :

The European Civil Aviation Authority, EASA, has approved the new wing tips fitted to the Schempp-Hirth Ventus-3T (and very elegant too!) Lots of favourable comments on the editor’s desk about the impressionable ascetics of this sailplane. We agree! New Zealanders: Contaçt Sailplane Services for more details. Ask for Ross!

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