Welcome to Episode #42 of The Thermal.  In this Episode of The Thermal…a feature interview with gliding rock start Gordon Boettgner. Gordon will tell us first-hand how he broke the world distance record for gliding along with his co-pilot Bruce Campbell. We’ll find out about the equipment and tactics and how a combination of skill, luck and mother nature made this 3000 km flight happen. That’s all on Episode  #42 of The Thermal.

The Thermal - Episode #42

The Thermal is a monthly podcast devoted to the sport of gliding. You’ll hear about the latest cutting-edge sailplanes and technology. We’ll also be talking about gliding safety, instructing, gliding history, cool pilot interviews, towing, winching and a whole lot more. New podcasts will be released the 1st Saturday of every month.

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In this Episode of The Thermal, WeGlide’s…Moritz Althaus gives us an update and  tells us about a new feature called Co-Pilot.   The Libelle - arguably the prettiest glider every made…is turning 60. We find out why this glider was so revolutionary.   Starting a new gliding club is a huge under taking. A group of glider pilots in Montana is trying to make it a reality.       And finally…some new gliding tech that works with XCSoar…and a new gliding trade fair in Germany.   That’s all on Episode   #48 of The Thermal.

The Thermal - Episode #48

On Episode #47 of The Thermal - doing it right when your sustainer motor won’t stow. We talk to a pilot who executed the perfect emergency landing.    Existential Angst…the anti-aviation movement targets Boulder Airport and the local gliding club.   Unbridled enthusiasm. We talk to a 14-year old glider pilot that can’t stop smiling.    That’s all on Episode   #47 of The Thermal.

The Thermal - Episode #47

In Episode #46 of The Thermal, we talk to the pilot and author behind The Art of Soaring. A book that puts you in the cockpit with amazing photos and stories.  We also speak to Monique Taylor, the author of Suicide Jockeys – The Making of the WW2 Combat Glider Pilot PureTrack is a new gliding tracking App from New Zealand. We find out why it’s gaining in popularity.  And finally -  remembering Martin Simons. The author of numerous books about gliding and a huge contributor to the gliding movement in general.  

The Thermal - Episode #46

On Episode #45 of The Thermal, a feature interview with longtime American contest pilot Chip Bearden.  Chip is the author of Goodbye Papa Golf. It’s an autobiography about Chip’s life as a contest glider pilot, marathon runner, tech entrepreneur and family man.  It’s written in a way that’s fascinating for glider pilots but is also a good read for those not necessarily interested in aviation.

The Thermal - Episode #45

On this Episode of The Thermal, competing at the 15 meter World Gliding Contest in Narromine, Australia. We follow-up with Dutch competition pilot Jeroen Verkuijl to find out what it was like. What do you to when you’re about to turn 80? Well, you buy a high performance motor glider and go on an epic cross-country flight to Australia’s famous Morning Glory wave system. And get your glider pilot’s license in the process.  John Riedl tells us all about it. ( reedle like needle) Imagine a cockpit with almost unlimited visibility and you have the Ultra-Vision glider concept. I speak to the aeronautical engineer behind this innovative design.  That’s all on Episode   #44 of The Thermal.

The Thermal - Episode #42

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