Flying out of Ephrata - do I need my own glider?

[Thatcher Smith]

Could someone kindly clarify if the Ephrata operation run by SGC has gliders available for rent or is it only towplanes which are provided to those who have their own gliders?

If it is the latter, where can one glide in Washington as a renter?

[MN50]

On Jan 21, 12:00*am, Thatcher Smith <Thatcher.Smith.
> wrote:
> Could someone kindly clarify if the Ephrata operation run by SGC has
> gliders available for rent or is it only towplanes which are provided to
> those who have their own gliders?
>
> If it is the latter, where can one glide in Washington as a renter?
>
> --
> Thatcher Smith

The Seattle Glider Council does not have any gliders for general
rental. In the past, there have been very few times when some glider
was available. Generally, the local clubs were the vehicle for lower
time, post-solo pilots to gain experience at Ephrata. Last season,
there were no gliders available for rent. I don't know of any
locations in WA where gliders can be rented, like a commercial
operation.

If you reside in the Northwest, through the generous donation of a
member that passed away, a DG-1000 syndicate is available to join for
the season. The DG is based at Arlington, WA (AWO) from September-
November and Feb-April (?) and at Ephrata for the late spring and
summer months. Cost to join the syndicate is based on the operating
expenses of the glider (insurance, annual, general maint.) and ranges
from $700 to$1000 for the year for 10-14 members. The DG syndicate
has some minimum experience levels (hours, cross-country experience,
etc.). Contact me offline and I can forward your inquiry to the DG
group administrator.

We welcome all to visit Ephrata. We operate from mid-April through
October, with the conditions peaking in May, June and July. We
schedule towpilots for the weekends, and sometimes volunteers are
available during the week. A FAI Badge Camp is scheduled starting
during Memorial Day Weekend and the Region 8 championships are
scheduled for June 11-16. We have an air conditioned clubhouse with
bunks for club members. See our website at: www.seattleglidercouncil.org



Michael Newgard
Director, SGC