Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: “LET”…Let Kunovice (formerly VZLU Letnany). Model: L-13 Nickname: Blanik
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Glider
> FAA Category and Class: Glider
> Engine Description: none

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/6/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 0.6
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: none

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 28
> Date First Flown: 9/28/1986
> Location First Flown: Skylark North, Tehachapi, CA (L94)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: USAFTPS IP

Recollections: I flew N70AS during my TPS Class field trip to Edwards AFB, CA.  One of the days we went to Tehachapi to fly gliders, with the USAF IP’s in our back seats.  I flew three gliders that day, the Grob 103, the Schweizer 2-33 and the Blanik.   It was a great day.  I returned some 25 years later to Skylark to get my CFIG rating.   

Skylark North is now called “Mountain Valley Airport” (maybe it always was?) and is still home to the Glider school.  The runways appear to be all paved (I’m pretty sure they were dirt on our visit) and N70AS was (according to FAA records) retired in 2013.  The school still operates the 2-33 and G-103, along with an ASK-21 and DG-1000.

The PSSA club I tow for, however, still has an L-13.  I should fly it!

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make:
Politechnika Warszawska. Model: PW-6. Nickname: None
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Glider
> FAA Category and Class: Glider
> Engine Description: none

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/6/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 2
> Number of Times Flown: 2
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: PW-6U

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 170
> Date First Flown: 7/18/2025
> Location First Flown: Bergseth Field, Enumclaw, WA
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Gary Ohlinger, Puget Sound Soaring Association (PSSA)

Recollections: As part of my training to become a tow pilot at the gorgeous Bergeth Field, near Enumclaw, WA (home of the Puget Sound Soaring Association or PSSA) I flew in the front seat of a PW-6.  I was already a CFIG so the flight wasn’t difficult and the PW-6 showed its excellent L/D by keeping us up for almost an hour, despite fairly weak lift.

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Alexander Schleicher. Model: ASK-13. Nickname: none
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Glider
> FAA Category and Class: Glider
> Engine Description: None

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/5/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 1
> Number of Times Flown: 3
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: none

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 43
> Date First Flown: 5/8/1988
> Location First Flown: Glider field near RAF Boscombe Down, UK
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: local Glider club

Recollections: During a US Naval Test Pilot School staff field trip, on my day off, I saw glider operations happening at a field near the Royal Air Force base at Boscombe Down, UK (this is the location of the Empire Test Pilot School, ETPS, which we were visiting). I went over, started talking and the nice folks let me fly the ASK-13 3 times! The flights used a winch launch (an alternative to being towed by a powered airplane).  It was my first winch towing experience, very interesting!  We managed to catch a thermal and work around the pattern for a bit, then landed. I also flew a Venture motor glider this day. 

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Grob Aircraft. Model: 103. Nickname: Twin Astir
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Glider
> FAA Category and Class: Glider
> Engine Description: None

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/5/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 2
> Number of Times Flown: 4
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: none

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 123
> Date First Flown: 5/4/2002
> Location First Flown: McMasters Field, Wichita, KS (29KS) [error: missed an earlier flight on 9/28/1986 during USNTPS Class 90 field trip, where I floew 1.2 hours in Tehacahpi, CA; did not correct order.]
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Ken Slaughter, McMasters Gliderport

Recollections: I got checked out in the G103 while working with the FAA in Wichita, KS.  To me (having come out of various Schweizer gliders) it was a real step up in performance.  Compared to the modern gliders, I understand its performance is not considered very good, but I always liked the way it handled, it was roomy and just a solid glider. Unfortunately, my dream of flying out at McMasters a ton ran into the realities of life so I only flew this fine aircraft 4 times (in Wichita). While scanning some photos, and checking my logbook, I found pictures of me flying the G103 on a TPS class field trip, see photos below.

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Schweizer Aircraft Corporation Model: 1-26 Nickname: none
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Glider
> FAA Category and Class: Glider
> Engine Description: none

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/5/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 4
> Number of Times Flown: 12
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: none

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 13
> Date First Flown: 11/5/1983
> Location First Flown: Sky Sailing Airport, Fremont, CA
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Solo, Sky Sailing

Recollections: After solo’ing and getting my license in the Schweizer 2-33, I flew the single-seat 1-26, all at Skysailing gliderport in Fremont, CA (no longer there).  Along with the A-10 and the Pawnee, this was the only airplane I flew by myself for the first time.  It was a real confidence builder and, I believe, helped me on my way to becoming a Test Pilot.