Google released the beta version 4 of its Google Earth program. If you have a fast internet connection, you can download it from: http://earth.google.com/tour/thanks-win4.html.  I'd recommend it to anyone; it is the next best thing after actually flying over the areas.

In this release, the Bacchus Marsh aerodrome is is covered by a high resolution image that resolves details to about 500m AGL. Although the airfield is partially under a cloud, the images are amazingly accurate.

I posted three pictures so that you could see it for yourself.

This article has been copied from the Darling Downs Soaring Club website.

FLARM is an enhancement to the see and avoid principles but is also a real enhancement to pilots’ situational awareness.

We must continue to use good lookout techniques and develop effective scanning habits.

The information below has been reprinted from the aus-soring mailing list. The message was posted by Lisa & Peter Trotter. 

Giorgio Galetto is currently ranked 18th in the world. He has been Italian National Speed Champion 10 times and National Distance Champion 12 times. He has also been a member of the Italian National team since 1984 andrepresented his country eight times in the World Championships. In 1999 he took out the overall World Champion title. Giorgio currently holds five Italian distance and speed records and in 2004 flew 1,350km over the Alps in his Ventus 2ax. He placed 4th at the recent Worlds in Sweden. Giorgio is also a full time glider instructor and coach.

We had a very successful day of winch launching at Bacchus Marsh yesterday, Saturday August 26th. All three clubs participated which was just great to see. The majority of our instructors are now current on this most economical ($ 7.- / launch) way of getting into the air.

The cooperation between power traffic, aerotow and winch operation was examplary. I believe we have shown that winch launching at our great facility can operate without undue impact on the other activities.

Ross (CFI) has commenced planning for the next winchday in 4 weeks time. See my photo gallery for some images of the day. 

A new component - GGC Chat has been added to the portal.  If you are logged in to the site, you can type messages that would be visible to other users who are also logged in. You can have a conversation with other members who are on-line.

The chat box could only be seen after you logged in to the web site. 

Using the GGC Chat is very simple. Just type your message and press the Send button or hit the Enter key. You can use emoticons such as :) ;) etc - they will be converted to graphics.

Two video clips have been published on the popular YouTube website featuring Air Experience Flights in the GGC’s Puchacz VH-OWL. The videos had been shot during our Easter Camp at Porepunkah:

• Glider Land

• Doing a Loop in a Glider