Seminole Lake Gliderport Hangars

Rich and I are friends, and I have been to Seminole Lake Gliderport a bunch of times over the past six years (including for two weeks a month ago). I love flying at Seminole. I wish I could be there more. I am excited about next season where Seminole will host the FAI SGP USA and the 18-meter Nationals. I am a huge fan of the location and the people who run the place, reside there, and especially of the pilots who fly there regularly each winter. Of course, I have no interest in hangars as I'm usually only able to be there for a week or two at most and usually park my glider at Mr. Farrington's house (with my dad). If lucky, like this year for the FAI SGP USA, I get to park near the clubhouse and main hangar for competitions. So, buying a hangar is not on my radar, even if I was aware of this pointless **** fight.

Amusing as always, your resident SJW and deeply fragile, conspiracy theorist is once again "seeing dead people" and lashing out mindlessly (and spittle spray) at anything that triggers her. I have no further comment or interest in such idiocy. https://img.memesuper.com/7c3e218722...e_600-450.jpeg

For the record, Seminole Lake Gliderport (SLG) is one of the very best soaring locations in the United States for several reasons. First, in terms of winter soaring in North America, SLG is one of the few east coast options for a soaring vacation. Everything you need is there and ready to go, seven days a week. Second, it's geographic location in Florida is ideal. For flying, its location regarding airspace and distance from the major ocean shores and sea breeze fronts are perfect. SLG is also close to Orlando's world-class entertainment. Third, it's soaring facilities themselves are outstanding (staff, instructors, tow equipment, rental and ride ships, aerobatic training and rides, motorhome power, beautiful grounds, pool, etc.). Much of this excellence is due to Rich who has taken on the leadership role (to help his friends and the many who frequent the glider port) and ensured the facility is maintained and continuously improved (enormously frankly). Rich works very, very hard at this along with his great team of employees who are all outstanding. The amount of effort that Rich and his team puts into that place is almost immeasurably (albeit unnoticed and perhaps underappreciated). Hell, Rich even mows the damn lawn! For me, working with the gang at SLG for the SGP was pure pleasure, and I already look forward to improving and expanding on that great success next season.

Sean Fidler
ASG-29 - 7T
Michigan USA

On Monday, May 15, 2017 at 9:01:38 AM UTC-4, Rich Owen wrote:
In response to ASW20's post regarding our hangar project, here is an update.

Our capital improvement plan covers a 5 year period and includes new hangars. We have the money and the owners support. A contractor has been found but permitting in the Green Swamp Conservation area is difficult. Still, we are proceeding forward. We finished a drainage project before the Seniors which corrected a serious flooding problem. Thank you for checking up on us. Please let us know when your ready to lease a hangar.

Sincerely,
Rich Owen
Vice President
Seminole Flying and Soaring

On Thursday, 18 May 2017 08:59:56 UTC-6, Sean Fidler wrote:
I am excited about next season where Seminole will host the FAI SGP USA and the 18-meter Nationals.

Sean are you announcing that Seminole is hosting the 2018 18 Meter Nationals? Nothing on the SSA calendar. The query for 2018 contests returns' NO CONTESTS FOUND

So what are the dates for 2018 18 Meter Nationals?

On Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 11:12:55 AM UTC-6, Ron Gleason wrote:
On Thursday, 18 May 2017 08:59:56 UTC-6, Sean Fidler wrote:
I am excited about next season where Seminole will host the FAI SGP USA and the 18-meter Nationals.

Sean are you announcing that Seminole is hosting the 2018 18 Meter Nationals? Nothing on the SSA calendar. The query for 2018 contests returns' NO CONTESTS FOUND

So what are the dates for 2018 18 Meter Nationals?

Rich also informed me that the 18's in 2018 were to be in Seminole...or they put in a bid for them? I am just not sure but I also believe the time frame was for May. We were chatting before launch and I could be mistaken on time and if it was an award.

Best. Tom #711

Ron,

We are planning the 18 Meter Nationals during the month of May. We are deconflicting with the Region 5 North and Miffin contests that do not have dates yet. We want to ensure pilots have the ability to attend all 3 contests if they desire. By setting dates too early, and without any coordination, we hamper the plans of other contest management staff. All of us want to provide the best contests possible and not force pilots to choose one over another based on overlapping dates. This contest has not been officially sanctioned by the SSA, so that is why it had not been announced. Sorry for any confusion this has caused.

Rich Owen
Vice President
Seminole Flying and Soaring

On Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 10:28:25 PM UTC-4, Rich Owen wrote:
Ron,

We are planning the 18 Meter Nationals during the month of May. We are deconflicting with the Region 5 North and Miffin contests that do not have dates yet. We want to ensure pilots have the ability to attend all 3 contests if they desire. By setting dates too early, and without any coordination, we hamper the plans of other contest management staff. All of us want to provide the best contests possible and not force pilots to choose one over another based on overlapping dates. This contest has not been officially sanctioned by the SSA, so that is why it had not been announced. Sorry for any confusion this has caused.

Rich Owen
Vice President
Seminole Flying and Soaring

Rich, have you thought about April instead? Less likely to have thunderstorms in April?

On Thursday, 18 May 2017 20:28:25 UTC-6, Rich Owen wrote:
Ron,

We are planning the 18 Meter Nationals during the month of May. We are deconflicting with the Region 5 North and Miffin contests that do not have dates yet. We want to ensure pilots have the ability to attend all 3 contests if they desire. By setting dates too early, and without any coordination, we hamper the plans of other contest management staff. All of us want to provide the best contests possible and not force pilots to choose one over another based on overlapping dates. This contest has not been officially sanctioned by the SSA, so that is why it had not been announced. Sorry for any confusion this has caused.

Rich Owen
Vice President
Seminole Flying and Soaring

Rich thanks for the update and your continued willingness to host and support contests. Your efforts to coordinate with other venues is great but that has been done by the SSA in the past. Typically National contests are set 2 years in advance so other contests can work around the dates.

Other folks that have submitted requests to host National contests for 2018 have not heard from the SSA. Many are in the same boat as you Rich.

Sounds like SE USA for 2018 will the hub for the beginning of the contest season; March for the Seniors, April for the SGP and May for the 18 Meter Nationals.

Rich thanks again to you and the other folks at Seminole for your support of soaring and hosting racing (gasp!) events!

Ron Gleason

PS - I got my ticket at Seminole (Knut and Jim Lee) and in the early 2000's spent each spring in the central FL area flying and competing in HG contests. All that changed after the 2006 HG worlds held 15 miles north of Seminole when I started flying gliders. Time to get to FL in the spring. Yahoo!

Sorry if I jumped the gun in discussing the 18 meter Nationals. I thought it was a done deal. Perhaps not. I certainly hope so. Seminole would be a really fun venue for Nationals.

Andrzej that's funny. The first thing I did when I heard about is Seminole 18m Nationals in May 2018 (during SGP USA last month) was also to try and convince Rich to go with April. I had similar reasons. The reason they were thinking May was, at least partially, to avoid interfering with Perry. I believe that there were also sensible reasons such as staff exhaustion. With the 2018 FAI SGP USA Orlando again scheduled for late March (also 18 meter), a corresponding April 18 meter Nationals would be extremely efficient for pilots looking to compete in both events. Some of the Europeans and Australians who are already beginning to plan for FAI SGP USA 2018 could potentially do compete in both events "back to back."

Scheduling contests is always a challenge. Regardless of the dates, Seminole will be a hot spot next season. They will likely host three great events by May. My entire soaring season may be competed with only one major drive ;-).

Sean

Rich,

I'm glad to see you guys are expanding at Seminole Lake Gliderport and looking to host 18m Nats, Seniors, and SGP. Surely Seminole Lake is a model for commercial operations and contest managers (host clubs) alike.

Just curious... do you have a wait list for hangar space once the hangars are constructed? Do you have an idea what a lease would run? My club might consider parking a glider or two down at Seminole Lake during the winter months sometime in the future. If I could get some ballpark numbers I can gauge interest and see that it gets considered by our Board.

Will be in touch. Keep up the great work you're doing there!

Chris Schrader, Treasurer
Sandhill Soaring Club
Ann Arbor, MI

*SSA Director, Region 6 (MI,OH,IN,KY)

Chris,

We have 5 out of 8 hangars rented already. We were going to start the rent at $220 a month which is well below market in Orlando. Each would accommodate an 18 meter ship without taking the tips off. That would mean a 20 meter ship would fit without tips. Electrical power will be included inside each hangar with water available on the outside. Two storage areas are in the complex. One would be available for owners for stowage. We are trying to include a lean too structure for trailer storage that would be covered. The DG hangar would stow all the company's training gliders. We would encourage renters to stow their gliders in the box and sublet the hangar during the Seniors or other contests.

Hope that answers all your questions.

Best Regards,
Rich