The email that I sent to Tim Mara was not to make any claim to I flew a 1,500K OLC or Diplome flight. Just that I flew the 304CZ for a total of 1,501K during my 11 hour flight. Yes, this was the total straight light distance with 3% circling according to my SeeYou program. If I can get a day with some Cu's or Lenticulars, I will be able to do a 1,000K OLC according to the rules.
I have flown the ridges in Pennsylvania and Tennessee and what we have here in OKLAHOMA and ARKANSAS can be very challenging. The total length of ridge line is about 80sm with five small transitions. The ridge tops are anywhere between 400- 1,200 feet above the valley and with very limiting landout options along the eastern half of the ridges.
I have been promoting this area since our first flight in February 2007. Most pilots in the Central US will never get a chance to experience ridge or wave fight. We are limited to the thermal soaring May through August with 3-6 hours of soarable conditions. Here in SE Oklahoma, the possibility of flying from sunrise to sunset is doable. Pilots can fly ridge and wave (up to 18,000 feet) here during our cold and windy months.

This flight was a personal achievement for me, by making the best of my location and weather conditions. If I lived in Minden, California City, Julian PA, I would be flying just as hard and farther. If you were to look at my flights out of Moriarty, NM for the past 6 years, I strive to fly the max possible for the conditions. I don't land because I flew my six legs for OLC.. I fly because I love to fly.

Flying my glider and promoting soaring is one of my most favorite activities do. I have been very close to achieving a 1,000K Diplome flight out of Moriarty, NM. My flight last week in SE Oklahoma has far more value to other pilots and promoting soaring then any other flight I can do.

For those who wonder how I can do a flight for 11 hours. When the entire fight is flown with a very specific goal at hand, it is very hard for me to get bored. If I was limited to circling around my local airport for an hour or two, I too would be ready to land. For those who know me, I fly because I love being in the air and enjoying the view. It can be from my office (B777), flying the tow plane, in the back seat of the 2-33 or in my glider. I am always looking for a way to get back into the air!

Randy Teel
N304BU