I'll just echo what both Mike and Hank pointed out. Your first focus should be to find a site that has both ridge and ridge instruction. In addition to the ones already mentioned, don't rule out Wurtsboro NY. While the ridge is quite short, it's perfectly adequate for basic ridge training on techniques. Concepts including things like climbing off the ridge, how well is the ridge working, getting around offsets and small gaps, etc. are foundational skills that are required before tackling the big missions.

Also, consider joining the Appalachian Mountains Soaring group on Google Groups. I'm the admin for that, and I'm sure some threads from a newbie would be good.

Erik Mann (P3)


On Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 11:45:07 AM UTC-5, Michael Opitz wrote:
At 15:58 16 November 2017, wrote:
What about the continental US?

It all depends on what you want to do. There are a number of
sites in the CONUS that offer very nice shorter length ridges. If you
want to try to make long distance ridge flights, then the Appalachian
mountain system in the eastern CONUS is where you want to go.
There are a number of good sites along that mountain chain, some
of which are better located on some of the main ridges for long
flights. That ridge system can be accessed from numerous places
from New York, all the way south to Alabama. It pretty much all
started back in the late 1960's with Karl Striedieck flying from his
private field on Bald Eagle Ridge just west of State College, PA.
Ridge Soaring is a commercial operation that is in the valley just
below Karl's private field in Julian, PA. Ridge Soaring is geared
towards accommodating pilots like you who are new to ridge
soaring, and are able to provide very good support for newbies and
record flyers alike. You will want a commercial operation that is
there 7 days a week if you are going to be visiting. You don't want
a club which only operates on weekends. History shows that a large
amount of national and world records have been set with a launch
point of either Eagle Field (Karl's place) or Ridge Soaring. I don't
think you will find another CONUS location that can rival these
accomplishments using pretty much "ridge only" flights. If I were
you, I'd get in contact with Tom Knauf at Ridge Soaring and see
what he has to offer. I don't think you will be sorry.

Good Luck......

RO