I never knew!

[Jon Matcho]

I was doing some yardwork this weekend when I heard yet another airplane in the sky, and of course I had to look up. This time was different... two planes, with one in tow! I pointed out the spectacle to my kids, and ran inside to get the camera. The attached are the best pics I could do.

 

So... what's the canard tie-in? Rutan put out a kitplane glider, the Solitaire. Although critically aclaimed and the winner of the competition for which it was designed, it did not fair well commercially. (I know, that was a stretch-of-a-tie-in.)

 

The interesting thing is that I always thought you had to travel to the white cliffs of dover to go soaring. It turns out that there's a sailplane club at the small airport just 3 miles away. Hmmm... tempting.

[Spodman]

Aerotow is probably the most common launching method for gliders. I'm learning to fly at Bacchus Marsh in Victoria, with up to 3 Pawnee(or something like that) and a Cub towing at once. Anywhere there's a hill or thermals you can have a glide.