 He flew the prototype Schempp-Hirth Nimbus after only a few days acquaintance in the 1970 World Gliding Championships at Marfa, Texas.He had to modify the aircraft's cockpit to fit in, and became the first person to sample its spin characteristics when, in mid-competition, the glider departed from a steep turn with asymmetric ballast into autorotation.While considering bailing out, he remembered that the spin of the similar Akaflieg Darmstadt D36 could be tamed by rocking the stick back and forth violently.