Just-for-fun gliding encampments and safaris

[SoarBooks]

Just-for-fun gliding encampments and safaris

Has your local gliding community had a successful soaring safari or soaring
encampment
at an airport other than your home airport?

And...did you have fun?

Here in the north central states of the USA, we had several 2003 soaring
encampments to explore new terrain.
These were not competitions, just fun events with lots of pilots.

We based at Milbank, South Dakota, to explore the weather effects of the
Buffalo Ridge there,
and later flew at Chamberlain, South Dakota, on the banks of the Missouri River

to explore the possibility of wave lift from the deep channel of the river
there.

We had a great time, met some new people, got to see some new geology and
terrain, and did it cheaply too.
The flying was fun during the day, and the parties were fun at night. They were
great trips.
We plan more such encampments in the future.

Any others out there (in any country, not just the USA) with similar
experiences?
If so, and you would like to share it, please post it in this thread.
I'd like to present a few examples at the upcoming SSA Convention in Atlanta,
GA, in February 2004.
Contributions will be accredited and used only with permission.

Bob Wander
Minneapolis MN USA

[goneill]

It is regularly done here in the North Island of NZ.This xmas there was a
choice of 2 and our club after the main camps are over runs a competition
for a week with 2 classes "hotshots" and everybody else.Lots of fun for
all concerned
gary
"SoarBooks" > wrote in message
...
> Just-for-fun gliding encampments and safaris
>
> Has your local gliding community had a successful soaring safari or
soaring
> encampment
> at an airport other than your home airport?
>
> And...did you have fun?
>
> Here in the north central states of the USA, we had several 2003 soaring
> encampments to explore new terrain.
> These were not competitions, just fun events with lots of pilots.
>
> We based at Milbank, South Dakota, to explore the weather effects of the
> Buffalo Ridge there,
> and later flew at Chamberlain, South Dakota, on the banks of the Missouri
River
>
> to explore the possibility of wave lift from the deep channel of the river
> there.
>
> We had a great time, met some new people, got to see some new geology and
> terrain, and did it cheaply too.
> The flying was fun during the day, and the parties were fun at night. They
were
> great trips.
> We plan more such encampments in the future.
>
> Any others out there (in any country, not just the USA) with similar
> experiences?
> If so, and you would like to share it, please post it in this thread.
> I'd like to present a few examples at the upcoming SSA Convention in
Atlanta,
> GA, in February 2004.
> Contributions will be accredited and used only with permission.
>
> Bob Wander
> Minneapolis MN USA

[Greg Arnold]

This type of thing occurs frequently at Tonopah and Ely in Nevada,
Parowan in Utah, and Bishop and Lone Pine in California.


SoarBooks wrote:

> Just-for-fun gliding encampments and safaris
>
> Has your local gliding community had a successful soaring safari or soaring
> encampment
> at an airport other than your home airport?
>
> And...did you have fun?
>
> Here in the north central states of the USA, we had several 2003 soaring
> encampments to explore new terrain.
> These were not competitions, just fun events with lots of pilots.
>
> We based at Milbank, South Dakota, to explore the weather effects of the
> Buffalo Ridge there,
> and later flew at Chamberlain, South Dakota, on the banks of the Missouri River
>
> to explore the possibility of wave lift from the deep channel of the river
> there.
>
> We had a great time, met some new people, got to see some new geology and
> terrain, and did it cheaply too.
> The flying was fun during the day, and the parties were fun at night. They were
> great trips.
> We plan more such encampments in the future.
>
> Any others out there (in any country, not just the USA) with similar
> experiences?
> If so, and you would like to share it, please post it in this thread.
> I'd like to present a few examples at the upcoming SSA Convention in Atlanta,
> GA, in February 2004.
> Contributions will be accredited and used only with permission.
>
> Bob Wander
> Minneapolis MN USA

[Greg Arnold]

I should add that there is a group out here in Southern California
called Soarfari whose sole purpose is to conduct several safaris each
year. See http://members.cox.net/jetempleton/


Greg Arnold wrote:

> This type of thing occurs frequently at Tonopah and Ely in Nevada,
> Parowan in Utah, and Bishop and Lone Pine in California.
>
>
> SoarBooks wrote:
>
>> Just-for-fun gliding encampments and safaris
>>
>> Has your local gliding community had a successful soaring safari or
>> soaring
>> encampment at an airport other than your home airport?
>> And...did you have fun?
>> Here in the north central states of the USA, we had several 2003 soaring
>> encampments to explore new terrain. These were not competitions, just
>> fun events with lots of pilots.
>>
>> We based at Milbank, South Dakota, to explore the weather effects of the
>> Buffalo Ridge there, and later flew at Chamberlain, South Dakota, on
>> the banks of the Missouri River
>>
>> to explore the possibility of wave lift from the deep channel of the
>> river
>> there.
>> We had a great time, met some new people, got to see some new geology and
>> terrain, and did it cheaply too. The flying was fun during the day,
>> and the parties were fun at night. They were
>> great trips.
>> We plan more such encampments in the future.
>> Any others out there (in any country, not just the USA) with similar
>> experiences? If so, and you would like to share it, please post it in
>> this thread. I'd like to present a few examples at the upcoming SSA
>> Convention in Atlanta,
>> GA, in February 2004.
>> Contributions will be accredited and used only with permission.
>> Bob Wander
>> Minneapolis MN USA
>
>

[Thomas F. Dixon]

A small group of us pilots from Idaho have done a couple of safaris to
Logan, UT ( a must, with all kinds of flying including a long ridge);
Mackay, Id; Driggs, Id and Bozeman, Mt. At all locations we have
found great people and fantastic flying.
Tom
Idaho

[JohnD]

Bob,
There are three (or more?) groups/clubs in Southern California who
have a history of sucessful soaring safaris, the Soarfari group which
Greg mentioned, the Orange County Soaring Assoc., and the AGCSC
(Associated Glider Clubs of Southern Calif.). I have flown with all
three groups on Safari and the trips are some of the very best
experiences I have ever had in the sport. The best of which has been
the wonderful people I have met and the lasting friendships
established.

I would suggest you contact John Templeton at the website previously
mentioned. He can either answer your questions or forward you to
long-standing members for details.

The AGCSC web site is: http://www.agcsc.org/
I think there should be contact information there. This club doesn't
reside at one airport permanently so I guess you could say they are
always on safari! In addition to their annual trips to Lone Pine this
group also is responsible for keeping Torrey Pines available for
soaring during the winter.

The OCSA website is: http://www.ocsoaring.org
There are descriptions of past and plans for future trips at this
site. Their trips encourage new pilot/student participation and are
great ways for a newbie to get away from the home airport with friends
and CFI's who they are familiar with.

I believe this activity is great fun and a wonderful learning
experience. I would recommend clubs who aren't alreading doing so
incorporate them into their activities.

[BTIZ]

yes.. "frowning"... nice pic.. but I have high speed access.. not everyone
does..

BT

"Paul Adriance" > wrote in message
link.net...
> I don't know if it's frowned upon to upload images in posts, but here
is
> a picture from Washington State during our club's encampment at a little
> mountain airport in the town of Concrete. Personally I consider these
> activites very critical to the success of a club, especially one such as
> ours in an area that is less frequently soarable. This was in the middle
> of summer in a typically very poor soaring season and we still had a
blast.
> The glider behind us is one of the first 2 or so Apis 13m gliders in the
> States.
>
> Perhaps it isn't so necessary if you fly out of a place such as Minden,
but
> for us I think it's what will keep our club alive in a tough time.
>
> PJA
>
>
> "Thomas F. Dixon" > wrote in message
> om...
> > A small group of us pilots from Idaho have done a couple of safaris to
> > Logan, UT ( a must, with all kinds of flying including a long ridge);
> > Mackay, Id; Driggs, Id and Bozeman, Mt. At all locations we have
> > found great people and fantastic flying.
> > Tom
> > Idaho
>
>
>

[Mike Lindsay]

In article >, SoarBooks
> writes
>Just-for-fun gliding encampments and safaris
>
>Has your local gliding community had a successful soaring safari or soaring
>encampment
>at an airport other than your home airport?
>
>And...did you have fun?

>
Yes sir! A few years ago a bunch of us went out from Norfolk England to
Aosta, in N Italy. Fantastic place, made lots of friends, mostly the
German group from Oerlinghousen.

Lots of wave, very sociable.


--
Mike Lindsay

[Raphael Warshaw]

Bob:

Caracole does great safaris on the Fourth of July (Bishop) and over
Thanksgiving (Santa Ynez) for the Douglas Club and private owners. Not to
be missed. They double-tow the K-21's if conditions are weak and either fly
the Duo or bring it by road Derek Lisoski is preparing a report for the
R-12 Newsletter which should have the details. You might contact him or
Cindy Brickner about it. I'm pretty sure they have pictures.

Ray Warshaw

"SoarBooks" > wrote in message
...
> Just-for-fun gliding encampments and safaris
>
>

[JohnD]

Ooops. I forgot a very important group, the 1-26er's. I have flown
with them (as honorary glass ship)in Jean, Nv. and also out of
Parowan, Ut. They really know how to fly far and have fun away from
the home airport. "No Dues, no Don'ts."

Traveling to a place with fine soaring conditions: excellent; flying
farther, faster, and higher than ever before: exceptional; 500k in a
1-26: AWESOME!

Take a look at: http://members.cox.net/ape74/index.html This group
calls themselves The Skid Row Squadron, their home is Warner Springs,
Ca. and their attitudes about soaring, encouraging the achievment of
soaring goals, and comaraderie are exceptional.

[SoarBooks]

Hi All,
Thanks for your responses and leads for more info. Very rich veins indeed!

Safe Soarirng,
Bob Wander