On Dec 6, 10:31*am, Torsten Beyer wrote:
Hi all,

I am German glider pilot and will be working in the Bay Area early Feb
of 2009. As I will have one free weekend (most likely the weekend of the
* *7th) I thought I'll check out soaring possibilities.

Now it's highly unlikely that I will have my German license transferred
to a US license (lack of time and lack of instructors this side of the
Atlantic ocean). I would need a school/professional gliding operation or
a club willing to let me fly with an instructor. Does anyone have any
recommendations for me? What's the wave situation like that time of the
year? Thermal, I suppose, I can forget about, right?

any pointer, tips and recommendations warmly appreciated

cheers

Torsten

I'd go to Minden - it's about a 5 hour drive from SF if the roads are
clear and there isn't lots of ski traffic, but you have go over the
Sierra-Nevada mountains to the east. It can be a challenging (and
long) drive if there's snow (Google: Donner party). You can also fly
commercial to Reno and drive 45 minutes south. Weather systems coming
out of the northern pacific set up incredible wave when they hit the
Sierras and there are two commercial operations at Minden that know
how to operate in wave and manage the wave window with ATC.

Thermals in February are nothing to write home about.

Nine Bravo