It has been 7 years since this website has been updated.  A lot has changed since then both in the world and on the net.  First, let me introduce myself.  My name is Mike Malis, and I have volunteered to take over this site, and the Yahoo message board, from Jim Kellet.  Jim has done a great amount of work setting up this site, and I doubt I will be able to put the kind of time he has into this effort.  Still, I intend to give it my best shot, and with the advent of YouTube and Facebook, perhaps this site will become more visual and easier to run.

I have been flying Cirrus No. 80 since 1987.  In 2003, I bought the ship from my soaring club, and began  a slow process of restoration, starting with the wheels and brake, tow release, trailer, panel and canopy.  I still have a lot have a lot to do, and I will share with the group my travails.  

Although I will not be able to make major changes to this site soon, I'd like to invite you all to have a look at my YouTube page.  I have a rather simple video of my ship in flight on a very smooth day.   We might consider a YouTube page for this group (CirrusTube?) that could  be an effective way to share information.  For instance, in this video, one can just see the vario averager about 1.4kts down, at 55kts approx calibrated airspeed. This approximates the sink rate in the famous Paul Bikle article "Polars of Eight".  I am currently making both Vario and Netto STF rings for my ship, as I have a rather old school panel.

I understand from Jim that many of you have been quite patient with submittals to this site, but if you have anything you feel is urgent to update, contact me and I will try to do that first.  I have a diskful of changes to make, and it will take a while!

Meanwhile, the Yahoo message board is up and running still, and I am taking that over as well.  I'd like to ask the group for opinions and suggestions on future goals for the group, and changes to this website.  If I don't hear from anyone, I will just do what I think is best, so if that is not what you want then please participate.  

Regards;

Mike Malis

Cirrus page webmaster

YouTube page with Cirrus video: