John DeRosa's
Aviation Presentations
and Information
Web Page

Introduction
I have created several presentations, and various other information details, on various glider related topics EXCEPT for anything to do with flying (flying well that is). I haven't quite figured how to do that yet.

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INDEX OF PRESENTATIONS
AND MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Click on the links below to read about the available presentations
and to download relavent content.

Soaring Aviation Electrical
Best Practices Series

Presented at the 2020
Soaring Society of America
Convention - Little Rock, AR

I have seen many glider avionics installations that have made my hair stand on end (or fall out altogether)! This presentation is intended to provide basic instruction in some best practices on the wiring of avionics. Topics include wires types and gauges, crimp lugs, power, batteries, installation, mounting, power distribution, power management, tools, etc.

SERIES PRESENTATION - PART 1 of 3

Table of Contents
  • Chapter 1 - Reference Information
  • Chapter 2 - Your Tool Box
  • Chapter 3 - Wires and Wiring
  • Chapter 4 - Making Connections
  • Chapter 5 - Other Things of Note

Click Here to Download the Latest Presentation (Part 1 of 3)

SERIES PRESENTATION - PART 2 of 3

Table of Contents

  • Chapter 6 - Power Management
Click Here to Download the Latest Presentation (Part 2 of 3)
SERIES PRESENTATION - PART 3 of 3

Table of Contents

  • Chapter 7 - Examples of Battery Circuitry
  • Chapter 8 - Minimizing Lost Volts
  • Chapter 9 - Providing USB Power
Click Here to Download the Latest Presentation (Part 3 of 3)

Reference Materials
[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Working with Glider Air Lines

Sailplane pneumatic air lines are critical to the safe functioning of instruments. This presentation will provide you valuable information on how to work with these lines, testing and repair/replacement.

Table of Contents

  • The Basics of Air Lines
  • Types of Glider Pneumatic Sources
  • Typical Instrument Use
  • Capacity Flasks
  • Condensation Filters
  • Gust Filers
  • Tracing Air Lines Path
  • Using Colored Tubing
  • Removing/Replacing Air Lines
  • Splitters and Couplings
  • Testing Air Lines and Instruments
  • Miscellaneous Information
  • US Glider Equipment Dealers
  • Pneumatic Instrument Repair Stations (US)
Download the latest presentation here
[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Transceiver Troubleshooting & Information

Trying to figure out why your transceiver (radio) isn't working as well as it should is FRUSTRATING. This presentation may just help you!

Table of Contents

  • Typical Glider Transceiver Connections
  • Troubleshooting Steps by Symptom
  • Troubleshooting Steps - Miscellaneous
  • Troubleshooting Speakers
  • Troubleshooting Interference
  • Microphones - Types and Issues
  • Antennas & Coax Cabling
    • Antenna Types
    • Coax Connector Types
    • Antennas and Coax Troubleshooting
  • Miscellaneous Information
    • Configuration Settings
    • Speaker/Microphone Boxes
    • Headset Jacks and Plugs
    • Test Equipment (VSWR/VNA)
  • Transceiver Repair Stations (US)
Download the latest presentation here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Landing Gear Warning Systems

This presentation talks about the basics of implementing a landing gear warning system in your glider. This is an alarm system to help prevent a gear-up landing. The system is activated whenever the airbrakes are opened while the landing gear is still retracted. Opening the airbrakes of a glider is part of all landing checklists thus the alarm will sound if the gear has not already been lowered.

The presentation includes notes and hints on implementation, types of switches, and how to test the alarm system. This presentation also contains a good animation of a gear warning system to help you to better understand how the system works.

IMPORTANT: This presentation also contains a complex animation of a sample gear warning system. You can watch this animation by either downloading the PowerPoint file (best) or the MP4 video file (+40mb) version of this presentation. The PDF version does not contain this animation.

Microsoft 2004 and Later PowerPoint Users - Please download the PowerPoint file from the link below and open it. Then hit F5 to start the slide show. Those of you with PowerPoint 2004 and later will be able to step through the previously mentioned animation one flight phase at a time. Older versions of PowerPoint prior to 2004 may have issues with the complex animation.

Non-Microsoft PowerPoint or Pre-2004 PowerPoint Users - If you do not have PowerPoint 2004 or later then there is an MP4 video version available at the link below. WARNING - this is a very large +40mb file. This will run through the entire presentation but may be too fast to study the slides and information properly. So please use the pause function of your video application to step through it slide-by-slide and review the various phases of the "animation".

Download the latest Microsoft PowerPoint presentation here

Download the latest MP4 video of the presentation here

Download the latest PDF of the presentation here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Overview of Emergency Location Devices

Presented at the October 2024
Soaring Society of America
Convention in Knoxville, TN

This presentation talks about the basics of what ELTs, PLBs, and Personal GPS Trackers, do and how they can benefit you. Comparison of the various devices by specifications and by pricing. Examples of live contest tracking and sailplane locator functionality.

Download the latest presentation here

See also these related presentations;

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Landout Survival Kits

Over the years I have created a survival kit which I carry in my glider at all times to be prepared for landouts. There is another version for when I fly out west.

See this web page for more details on the landout survival kit.

See also these related presentations;

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Bailout Survival Kits

Over the years I have created a bailout survival kit which I carry attached to my parachute at all times to be prepared for a bailout. I sure hope I will NEVER have to use it.

Download the latest presentation here

See also these related presentations;

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Bailing Out Successfully

My intent with the presentation is not to talk about WHY it became necessary to bail out but rather to talk about WHAT can we learn about bailing out from those that have done so. This is based on the interview of pilots who have successfully bailed out of a glider.

Thus far I have interviewed 9 pilots who have bailed out and hopefully inteview more pilots in the near future (if you know of anyone please let me know). Please note - Each pilot's name is kept anonymous.

The bail out information gleaned from these interviews may well be very valuable help to pilots forced into experiencing a bail out event some time in the future but hopefully never having to jump!

Download the latest presentation here

Parachute Document Files Stored Here

See also these related presentations;

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

FLARM Configuration and Registration

There seems to be some confusion about how our glider's FLARM device is able to show our contest ID on another glider's display device (i.e. Oudie). Here is a presentation that may help us understand how this happens.

After installation of a NEW FLARM device there are several things that you must do.

  • First, create a FLARM configuration file on https://shop.flarm.com/support/tools-software/flarm-configuration-tool/ and install that into your FLARM device.
  • Second, register your FLARM device at https://www.flarmnet.org/flarmnet/ (and OGN) so that other Flarm users can see your aircraft's position information (i.e. Contest ID).
  • Third, download the latest flarmnet database file and give it to all your glider buddies.
But, what about an existing FLARM??
> What about transferring a FLARM device beween owners??
> How about migrating a FLARM device between aircrafts??

This presentation will "clearly" spell out how to do all of these things ... and more.

Download the latest presentation here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Gap Seals and Mylar Information

Eventually all of our gliders need to have their gap seals and mylar replaced. The first step is removing the old materials which isn't particularly easy. Maybe the helpful hints that I have compiled might assist you. It did me.

Please see this web page for details.

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Oxygen Systems for Glider Pilots

Presented at the 2023
Soaring Society of America
Convention - Reno, NV

Once you have experienced the joys of soaring to high altitudes, you will want to do it again and again.

However, you must learn how to create an oxygen system and how to SAFELY use it in your glider plus learn how to conserve the limited amount of oxygen that you can take aloft.

This presentation will help you learn how to create and use an oxygen system in a glider.

Download the latest presentation here

Miscellaneous Oxygen Related Documentation

Companion oxygen oriented presentations by other presenters;

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Trailer Chains and Equipment

I had the terrible experience of my trailer's coupler coming off the ball. What saved me that day? My good chains!

If you own a glider you most likely also own a trailer that goes with it. The chains and equipment that joins your trailer to your vehicle are very critical indeed - and BOY I have seen some unsafe trailers that should NEVER be on the road. How is yours?

This presentation is to help trailer owners to upgrade their trailer's chains and such to make it as safe as possible. ENJOY!

See the presentation explaining about trailer chains and equipment HERE.

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Cobra Trailer Ramps - Getting On & OFF

To get my glider's fuselage into my "hangar" (AKA garage) for winter work I often have to get it off and out of the trailer by myself. I made some inexpensive ramps to help me with this. I thought you might find this useful.

There are two pairs of ramps needed;

  1. One is a pair of rather narrow/thin ramps used to get the fuselage dolly up/out of the deep Cobra ramp aluminum channels. Made of 1"x1-1/2" oak and about 18" long tapered at the ends to fit your trailer's channel width.
  2. The second pair of wider/thicker ramps are used to get the fuselage dolly down to the ground. The wooden portion is made of 2"x8" pine and about 28" long tapered at the ends cut on a big bandsaw or two passes on a table saw (and sanded/planed smooth afterwords). The steel angle portion can be found on Amazon.

See the presentation explaining construction HERE.

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Instrument Knob Extensions

Sometimes the control knobs on your instruments are just too short to reach easily. Other times they are blocked by adjacent instruments.

Here is a presentation on how to make a simple, yet strong, extension for those instrument knobs.

Download the latest presentation here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Soaring Society of America Webinars

The Soaring Society of America (SSA) has a wonderful selection Webinars on many information, and instructional, topics. Great viewing!

NOTE: You must be a member of the SSA to view the webinars.

View the videos here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Soaring Society of Boulder Instructional Videos

The Soaring Society of Boulder Colorado has a wonderful selection videos on many information, and instructional, topics. Great viewing!

View the videos here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Instrument Panel
Hole Sizes and Specifications

There are four common instrument hole sizes found in aircraft panels;

  • Fractional inches sizes - 2-1/4" and 3-1/8"
  • Metric sizes - 57mm and 80mm
  • There is also the small rare 1-1/4" (~32mm) size

While the fractional inch and metric sizes are close to one another they are not exactly the same.

This presentation will provide you the instrument panel hole size details, conversion factors, and templates. Also how to make 3-1/8" to 2-1/4" instrument reducer/adapter plates.

Download the latest presentation here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Trailer Wiring & LED Conversion

Trailer wiring can be daunting no matter what trailer you have. Converting a European trailer like a Cobra to a US connector can be a chore. Then dealing with burn out or corroded bulbs can be frustrating. This presentation may just help you!

Download the latest presentation here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Pilot Relief Systems

I have brought together information on my experiences with pilot relief ("pee") systems for glider and soaring pilots along with information from other resources. See this web page for more details.

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Battery Testing

Each year I like to test my ship's batteries and replace those that do not have enough individual capacity to last 6 hours at a 1A load. But how can the average pilot perform a reasonable "real world" test with easily obtainable equipment?

See this web page for an explanation of the testing that I perform showing both a manual method and two automated methods using an Arduino.

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

OGN - Open Glider Network

The objective of the Open Glider Network (OGN) is to create and maintain a unified tracking platform for gliders, drones and other aircraft. Focused on tracking aircraft equipped with FLARM and OGN trackers, OGN is also open for integration of other flying objects tracking data sources. You can see beacons from FLARM PilotAware, SPOT, Garmin InReach, Skymaster, FANET (paragliders) and Spidertracks circulating through our network. The tracking data is freely available.

Download the latest presentation here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool

Inserting the main spar pins into the spar bushings during sailplane rigging can be difficult due to the close manufacturer tolerances. In other words things have to be JUST RIGHT to get the $#%^@ pins in! Included here is how to make a poor man's version of a non-eccentric spar alignment tool.

Download the latest presentation here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Removing Painted Lettering from Gelcoat

After purchasing my new/used ASW-27B I was faced with removing the non-vinyl painted contest ID letters from the underside of the right wing. That was a learning experience as imparted by others to me and is important to pass on to whomever might be faced with the same task.

Download the latest presentation here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Cambridge Aero Instruments

The Cambridge Aero Instruments line of flight recorders and audio varios were very popular with soaring pilots. Their last model of the flight recorder, flight computers, and audio vario was the great model 302 which is still highly regarded by glider pilots the world over.

Here is a web page with additional information on several subjects; logging error fixes,tones decoded, software and manuals, simulators, etc.

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Securing L'Hotellier Fittings

Everything that you wanted to know about L'Hotellier fittings and the several ways to secure them to comply with the FAA AD about them. Included is a step-by-step guide to the installation of Wederkind Sleeves on a glider with L'Hotellier fittings and sources for the parts.

See this web page for full details and pictures.

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Carbon Fiber Instrument Panel Overlay

This presentation talks about applying the following types of carbon fiber to the face of an instrument panel plus the pros and cons of each with examples of the finished products;

  • Rigid sheets of real carbon fiber panels
  • Non-rigid sheets of 3M's Di-Noc "carbon fiber"
Download this 2016 ChicagoLand Glider Council presentation for complete details.

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Glider Maintenance Tool Box

A comprehensive list of many things that you might need in a maintenance kit for your glider at home and during your road trips. Click here

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

O'Hare Class B Airspace Expansion

In mid-2008 the FAA started the process of expanding the O'Hare Class B airspace.

This change was implemented on October 21, 2010. This has directly impact several soaring sites in the Chicago area, notably Sky Soaring near Hampshire, IL.

More details and information can be found by clicking on this link

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Oudie Flight Computer
with SeeYou Mobile

Here is a web page with some information on the Oudie

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

IGC File Name Decoding

Maybe you have wondered about the file names of the IGC log files that are generated by your flight recorder. For example, "85KC3WK1.IGC". It looks like a strange random combination of letters and numbers, but each character does have a meaning. In the example above it means, "1st Flight on May 20th, 2018 using a Cambridge flight recorder serial number 3WK". Simple? Not so much. Please see this web page for more information.

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ChicagoLand Glider Council Presentations

These presentations come from past ChicagoLand Glider Council meetings.

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]

Blanik L-13/L-23/L-33 Strut Information and Repair

The repair/rebuild of the L-13/L-23/L-33 strut landing gear strut is an important skill if your strut has collapsed and is no longer holding gas (typically nitrogen). A repair/rebuild kit is required. Old parts should not be reused and the new kit is not commonly available. To my knowledge kits are only available from Blanik (approximate cost US$500). Note that a replacement new strut is much more expensive. Also note that L-13's have been effectively grounded (at least in the US) and used struts from an L-13 can be reused in L-23's and L-33's.

Several items are included here for downloading;

  • Scans from the L-23 service manual on the repair/rebuild/refill of the strut.
  • Pictures of an actual repair/rebuild of a Blanik L-33 strut. This should be the same for an L-13 or L-33.
  • Scans from the instructions included with the 2015 purchase of the repair/rebuild kit for the Blanik L-13/L-23/L-33 strut. This also includes how to build custom tools to facilitate repair/rebuild.
  • Pictures and information on refilling the Blanik L-13/L-23/L-33 strut with nitrogen.

[Jump to the Index of Presentations]
Old Presentations that Need Some Serious Updating

Soaring Flight Computers

NEEDS SOME SERIOUS UPDATING!

This presentation details GPS systems for use for soaring pilots. I talk about how flight recorders are used, how they are wired together, how to upload and download flight logs and other details. I deal with what flight computers bring to the party, how they can help soaring, how they enhance moving map PDA displays, file structure, etc.

Download this 2007 SSA Convention presentation for complete details.

Basics of Dr Jacks BlipMaps and BlipSpots(PLB)

NEEDS SOME SERIOUS UPDATING!

Here is a short presentation on the use of blipmaps and blipspots which was created for a ChicagoLand Glider Council meeting.

Download this 2007 presentation for complete details. Also available is Dr. Jack's presentation from the 2003 SSA convention (by kind permission).

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