On Jan 31, 1:26�pm, " wrote:
It happens all summer. A tow is available 7 dyas per week all summer,
except Sundays until later as the towpilot goes to church.

The "Waterwings of the Air" crew is planning something in July, I
believe. �I will have to get out my decoder ring and check their super-
exclusive, namebrandonly �secret squirrel newsgroup to confirm.

A crew of Poles, Czech's-not Slovaks, and a guy from West Virginia
(honorary Pole) will probably be there beginning in mid-June.

The Hungarian and FlightLevelNightFlyers, probably July.

Earlier seems to e better than later in recent years as the monsoon
seems to be blowing in earlier each year.

See you in the Basin!

I have been going to Ely every summer since 2002. I would
recommend calling Ely Jet Center @ 1-775-289-8804. Ask for James, as I
am sure he will welcome your call and go over tow rates and other
fees. Maggie can also be of help.
The terminal has been closed for our use for the last several
years. But we use the hanger and a huge grill for our nightly
cookouts. As far as the best time goes, I would suggest looking at the
OLC, as in 2008, we flew from late June thur late July. The main
problem we had in 2008 was smoke from all the fires in California,
which greatly reduced visiblity. But we still got in many 1000 k plus
flights. Look at Russell Owens on the FAI OLC and you will see that
during July 2008, he posted the largest 6 FAI triangles totals flown
anywhere in the world. In 2007, again, late June/early July seemed the
best. Knowing Tom Stowers and all the camps he has held their, I
believe 9, planning always was a hope, as the best seems to occur just
before and after. If I were on a soaring vacation, I would plan on 2
weeks in Ely to give myself the best shot at really great weather.
Most of us just head out mid July because of other commitments, not
because the weather has gone bad.
The towplane is a 250 hp Pawnee. Even when we are loaded with
full water, it does a good job. You do need to get out of gliding
range, if your going to do 1000 k flights and advanced planning should
be done. Carl Herold also does fly out of Ely every summer. He now has
maps with many landable sites. Some advanced planning along with
speaking with some of the locals who do fly out of Ely will make your
trip more enjoyable.
Flying in the great basin can be very rewarding, but caution
also needs to be addressed, with a good mentor and a good managed
growth curve you will have a great time. Rumors from those who aren't
seen in Ely, need to be really toned down, as those that do fly out of
Ely, which include many time World record holders and World Champions,
know that the Great Basin has the finest thermal soaring anywhere, and
in order to fly with the eagles, we know you can't hoot with them
owls...........

Thermal tight, Soar high, Fly safe....# 711.