German friend ask for advice about soaring in the US this summer

[Terry Pitts]

All,

One of the guys in my flying club is planning a trip to the US next summer after he finishes his Abitur (High School+ graduation exams).

He's asked me for a recommendation on where he could spend some time flying.. He has some flexibility in his schedule, and I'm not sure of his plans since they won't be fully made until after the flying location question is resolved.

He's flown ASK-21, ASK-18, LS-1, and Discus, so flying something in the US shouldn't be hard. I've made him aware of the FAA's webpage about how to pursue a certificate, either based on his German GPL or an independent one.

I think that somewhere that flies seven days a week would be best. Somewhere with aerotow and winch would be great. I can see value to thermalling over the desert in Arizona or Texas. There's great experience to be gained flying ridges in Pennsylvania or Tennessee. Summer probably doesn't offer great wave at Minden...

I don't want this to be "where's the one best place in the whole world/US to soar." Instead, I solicit your input as to places he should look into and consider visiting. Some sort of bunkhouse or cheap, cheaper, cheapest hotel is a must. Reasonable access to a major airport is a good planning consideration, too.

Despite being an American with an FAA commercial glider certificate, I've only really flown gliders in the US on two occasions - the initial add-on rating and the commercial - so I'm ill prepared to help a nice young man.

Thanks for your input, and I'm ducking...

Terry

[son_of_flubber]

On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 11:21:38 AM UTC-5, Terry Pitts wrote:

> He's flown ASK-21, ASK-18, LS-1, and Discus, so flying something in the US shouldn't be hard.

He should fly a SGS 2-33 at least once (for the cross-cultural experience).

[aerodyne]

In this case, may I suggest SoCal. MVA is open 6 days. Warner Springs
possible as well. I know a few clubs that would be glad to have him.

aerodyne.

[Dan Marotta]

Sundance Aviation in Moriarty, NM has two G-103s and an LS-4 for rent, aero
tow only. We have high desert and mountain soaring and Sundance is open 7
days per week in May through October (Tuesday-Sunday in the remainder of the
year). There's also the Albuquerque Soaring Club on the airport.


"aerodyne" > wrote in message
...
> In this case, may I suggest SoCal. MVA is open 6 days. Warner Springs
> possible as well. I know a few clubs that would be glad to have him.
>
> aerodyne.

[Terry Pitts]

>2-33

But I like the guy!

I guess I should be careful; when I do the CFIG next year I might end up in the back of a lot of 2-33's!

[son_of_flubber]

On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 3:59:54 PM UTC-5, Terry Pitts wrote:
> >2-33
> But I like the guy!

You'd be surprised. A lot of young people respond very positively to the retro look/feel of the 2-33. Those thick Buddy Holly style glasses are also considered very hip.

[Helge_Zembold]

2-33

But I like the guy!

I guess I should be careful; when I do the CFIG next year I might end up in the back of a lot of 2-33's!

Hi Terry :-)

I went to Hollister, about 2 hours south of SFO, to get my BFR after the validation of my German GPL. It's a commercial operation but as far as I remember there is also club operation there (according to OLC-flights). I did the BFR on the 2-33 which was a great experience... But you should advise your buddy about the costs, I spent about $300 for the BFR.

Helge

[Charlie Papa[_2_]]

On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 11:21:38 AM UTC-5, Terry Pitts wrote:
> All,
>
>
>
> One of the guys in my flying club is planning a trip to the US next summer after he finishes his Abitur (High School+ graduation exams).
>
>
>
> He's asked me for a recommendation on where he could spend some time flying. He has some flexibility in his schedule, and I'm not sure of his plans since they won't be fully made until after the flying location question is resolved.
>
>
>
> He's flown ASK-21, ASK-18, LS-1, and Discus, so flying something in the US shouldn't be hard. I've made him aware of the FAA's webpage about how to pursue a certificate, either based on his German GPL or an independent one.
>
>
>
> I think that somewhere that flies seven days a week would be best. Somewhere with aerotow and winch would be great. I can see value to thermalling over the desert in Arizona or Texas. There's great experience to be gained flying ridges in Pennsylvania or Tennessee. Summer probably doesn't offer great wave at Minden...
>
>
>
> I don't want this to be "where's the one best place in the whole world/US to soar." Instead, I solicit your input as to places he should look into and consider visiting. Some sort of bunkhouse or cheap, cheaper, cheapest hotel is a must. Reasonable access to a major airport is a good planning consideration, too.
>
>
>
> Despite being an American with an FAA commercial glider certificate, I've only really flown gliders in the US on two occasions - the initial add-on rating and the commercial - so I'm ill prepared to help a nice young man.
>
>
>
> Thanks for your input, and I'm ducking...
>
>
>
> Terry

I suggest you have him consider York Soaring Association near Toronto Canada. www.yorksoaring.com. We have hosted several students from France and one from Germany in recent summers. We fly 7 days a week, but offerr aerotow only. There is easy access from Toronto International Airport, a large fleet, on-field cheap accomodation, and a large contingent of youth pilots. Acro instruction is available too.

[bumper[_4_]]

There are a lot of good places to soar in the USA. However, when all is considered, it's hard to beat what SoaringNV at Minden, Nevada has to offer. Modern fleet, including a couple of Duo Discus, newer ASK-21, LS-4 and more. Occasionally the staff is absolutely superb (I only tow for them part time :c). Awesome scenery and romping summertime thermals and cloudstreets.

Have a look at http://www.soaringnv.com/

But also do a search on <soaringnv> and read some of the reviews. Turns out when you work hard to make customers happy . . . you get good feedback!

bumper

[[email protected]]

Best choice...Moriarty,NM. Friendly Club and Comercial operation. 7 days days a week....utter flying paradise.

Damn good choice... Minden,NV

Very Good Choice... Warner Springs. Garrett will make sure he has a blast. However the weather may be a tad limiting compared to Moriarty

[akiley]

I would like to mention Williams Soaring Center. http://www.williamssoaring.com/ (no affiliation) Not sure if they are open 7 days in summer. Only aerotows, but. Best glider fleet I've encountered in the US so far. Great web site that's very comprehensive and connected with the Valley Soaring Association web site which is loaded with great information.

They have a free bunk room with bathroom, new kitchen, plus the town of Williams is very cheap to stay and eat. Part of my stay was at a great little hotel for 45USD a night and the meals at a great taco stand for about 6 bucks. My instructor Ed was fantastic. Great friendly staff, beautiful mountains 10 miles to the west to suppliment the valley thermal soaring.

Major airport at Sacramento California that I flew into from Michigan. It's about a 50 minute drive from Sacramento to Williams I think.

Here is a short video of my recent visit. Minden also great spot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHSXNqOc1Nw&sns=em

Aaron Kiley

[J. Murray]

http://ssa.org/sport/map/map.html

On Thursday, December 6, 2012 6:43:53 AM UTC-7, akiley wrote:
> I would like to mention Williams Soaring Center. http://www.williamssoaring.com/ (no affiliation) Not sure if they are open 7 days in summer. Only aerotows, but. Best glider fleet I've encountered in the US so far. Great web site that's very comprehensive and connected with the Valley Soaring Association web site which is loaded with great information.
>
>
>
> They have a free bunk room with bathroom, new kitchen, plus the town of Williams is very cheap to stay and eat. Part of my stay was at a great little hotel for 45USD a night and the meals at a great taco stand for about 6 bucks. My instructor Ed was fantastic. Great friendly staff, beautiful mountains 10 miles to the west to suppliment the valley thermal soaring.
>
>
>
> Major airport at Sacramento California that I flew into from Michigan. It's about a 50 minute drive from Sacramento to Williams I think.
>
>
>
> Here is a short video of my recent visit. Minden also great spot.
>
>
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHSXNqOc1Nw&sns=em
>
>
>
> Aaron Kiley

[son_of_flubber]

Or he could save the airfare to the West Coast and fly the ridge from PA to GA. Can he do that in Europe? Can he do that in the Western USA?