The Ralph S. Barnaby lecture for 1996 is the 23rd in this annual series of soaring-related lectures. This year's lectures will be delivered by two prominent figues of soaring, and currently residents of Hawaii: Theodore G. Bellak and Herman Stiglmeier.
Theodore G. Bellak, prominent figure during soaring's early years in the United States. He organized and was President of the Delaware Soaring Society [Wilmington, DE]. Later, he became Director of Aeronautical Education for the Gliding Soaring Program for the State of Minnesota. He was Director of the first federal government gliding and soaring program at Cassidy Lake (Chelsea) Michigan. Ted designed a two-place all purpose utility training glider for the state of Minnesota. He is noted for numerous accomplishments, one of which was a (June 1939) glider flight across Lake Michigan. Ted has written Memoirs of Gliding and Soaring.
Herman Stiglmeier, long a prominent figure in Soaring. Born 29 Jan. 1915, a twin to Henry. "What motivates young people to life," writes Herman, "-'Exposure.' It was aircraft at an early age -- 10 years. Model airplanes, indoor, outdoor and power. Gliders -- Primary, secondary, shock cord launch, etc., in the '30s.
"In 1929 the twins built a 1910 hang glider from a Modern Mechanic Magazine. They were 14.
"During the mid 1930's we were both draftsmen at Northrop Aircraft. By 1937 we designed a glider utilizing a Grunau Baby wing. March 8, 1940 it taught us how to fly. It was flown in contest at Arvin, Calif., in 1940 and 1941 by Herman. Henry was now a partner in a Bowlus Baby Albatross. He was sucked into a thunderhead and taken to 18,000 ft. altitude.
"By 1942 my home built glider was gobbled up by Floyd Sweet, U.S. Army, for $850 for the glider program. (The end.)
"1942 - I was then working for Jack Laister, St., Louis, Mo., building two-place gliders (150) L.K. 10 A's, and Waco C.G. 4 Cargo Glider nose sections.
"1943 - I was then employed by Douglas Aircraft.
"1946 - I owned 23 surplus gliders.
"1947 - I entered the contest in Wichita Falls, Texas with a Pratt-Reid two place and earned Gold "C" number 12.
"From then on I officiated in contests, worked with the S.C.S.A., etc., until our departure in 1975 to live in Hawaii. The past twenty years I have been in the solar hot water business -- alternate energy.
"Gliders I have owned and flown are: TG-2, TG-3, Bowlus Baby Albatross, LK-10A, Pratt-Reid LNE1, Salto, etc. Best flight was a goal flight of 320 miles. My best duration is 2-place 12 hrs. 52 min."
Both Bellak and Stiglmeier make their homes in Hawaii. See the accompanying article "About Ralph S. Barnaby"