Highlights From Dayton
It is a good thing that Airsports Expo 2003 in Dayton, Ohio was an indoor attraction. As many of you who went know, snow moved in early during the week followed by extremely bitter cold temperatures that closed schools and hampered any kind of outdoor activity in and around the Dayton area. After an unofficial poll was taken, it was determined that approximately twenty CISS members made tracks across the border to take in the warmth and dream of spring attending the seminars and exhibits at this year's convention in Dayton. Many attended the Friday evening reception held at the Air Force Museum. The following are some recollections of a few that went.

Dave Newill
Compared to Indy - the floor seemed a bit more open - probably a larger area. The crowd didn't seem as excited, but then I was just as cold as they were! The lectures were very well attended and as usual - the ones I wanted to hear were all booked against each other on the schedule. The impact of the Dollar vs the Euro was horrid! The CZ304 I was interested in at Indy for ~ $32K is now $48K!! One wonders what the value of our fleet is now in terms of replacement value. Favorite ship - the DG 1000! What a way to cruise the sky with your best friend - Rene Russo and Pierce Brosnan could not have done better in a Duo. Most interesting new idea - the SparrowHawk ultralight machine. The mere idea that something that light could be that large and sleek - plus because it is all carbon fibre - painted in any color you want. Neat ship! It ought to thermal very well especially on weak days. I wondered if you could launch it on an electric winch and very light line. We bought a neat tow bar for the PW - if it works we should duplicate it for the Blaniks - this would allow single man towing of a Blanik on calm days - helping the crew.

Ron Clarke
The SSA Convention in Dayton was a GREAT way to start the soaring year . By making the trip over to Dayton for the event in January many of us were able to renew contacts with many glider friends from all over the US, indeed from all over the world. For me it's always amazing how small the "gliding world" is . I remet a number of good friends from the gliding world in Germany , even ran into a fellow who belongs to the club I used to belong to in England. A couple of the Germans by the way told me that had no idea just what an incredible collection of WWll german aircraft are on show at the Wright Patterson museum where we all spent a great evening on the friday night. Hans Werner Grosse, one of the greatest living glider ledgends in the world found a Junkers aircraft there that he had flown no less than 500 hrs. in in the 1940's! Don't miss the next convention ( Atlanta, GA 2004)

Keith Marshall
This having been my fourth convention, I am amazed that I always learn something new. I usually attend the sessions looking for anything that could contribute to our club and also make me a better pilot. I always like to attend the safety seminar that the Soaring Safety Foundation provides at the very beginning of the convention. I highly recommend a look at their web site and to take advantage of all the "freebees" that they provide. Favorites - definitely the SparrowHawk. The wings only weigh 40lbs. apiece! You could literally put the thing together by yourself without any assistance human or mechanical. I also liked the Apis sailplane available in kit form or assembled. It seemed like the best performing glass ship in L/D while not breaking the budget. You could also get it in a variety of packages - 15 to 18 meter, self launch or basic. On the high end - the DG 1000 and the ASH -26. The ASH-26 engine bay looked like something out of a custom car show - a real techno wonder -absolutely beautiful. By the way, I did fit in all the gliders I looked at. Even the SparrowHawk. I talked to the designers and they told me it comes with a BRS so I wouldn't need a chute, and there is an optional deeper seat pan for longer folks like me. Hope springs eternal!!! Miscellaneous - the "See You" software was stunning. It obviously affected other club members as a few copies went back to Indy. There also was a portable glider hanger that fits your glider like a glove. The door mechanism and power provided by solar cells - very cool.