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Soaring experience at Driggs, ID with Teton Aviation
I like to fly at different places, so I visited Driggs, Idaho and flew
with Teton Aviation this summer. Driggs is a small town (population: 1100) right next to the Grand Teton range and a scenic place to fly. But if you are interested in flying a pure glider there, there are a few details you might want to be aware of. You must reserve a tow at a specific time in advance, and you must take off at that time regardless of the lift condition. You may cancel your tow 2 hours before the scheduled time without a penalty. You may reschedule your tow to a later time of the same day without a penalty if there is an availability. The FBO (Teton Aviation) and tie-down area are located at the south end of the runway (runway 3). Most of the time, there is a southerly wind in the afternoon, so you will be taking off from runway 21. Since private vehicles are not allowed on the taxi way, you must ask Teton Aviation to tow your glider from the tie-down area to runway 21. There is a $15 charge for this service. There is a small, paved, private land connected to the north end of the taxi way. You may be allowed to keep your glider in this area if the land owner permits. The benefit of keeping your glider there is that you do not need to move it for 1.2 miles between the tie-down and runway 21 everyday. The land owner was nice enough to let me use the area this time, so I kept my glider there. However, there are no tie- down cables and it's hard-surface, so basically you must leave your glider untied or disassemble and assemble it everyday. The ground outside of the hard-surface area has lots of tall, wild thistles and is not suitable for the tie-down in my opinion. Teton Aviation's main business is scenic rides, and they seemed to have much higher priority than private glider tows (a scenic ride is $250 and a 2,000 ft glider tow is $45). If scenic rides are busy, your tow will be often delayed. I had three tows from Teton Aviation, and two of them were delayed for 30 minutes, and the other was delayed for 62 minutes. In one case, I had my tow scheduled at 2pm, and the tow plane showed up around 2:30pm with a Blanik for the scenic ride scheduled at 2:30pm. I pointed out that my tow was scheduled at 2pm and I had been waiting for 30 minutes, but they towed up the 2:30pm scenic ride first, then me. There are no structures or trees to provide you shades at runway 21 while waiting. When you take off from runway 21, the line services may or may not be provided at the discretion of Teton Aviation. I had them for only one of the three tows. You must push your glider into the runway, take dollies off, hook up the rope by yourself, and take off with a wing on the ground. I took off in the 15 kts of wind with gusts without a wing runner. The tow pilot was considerate enough to request a wing runner for me over the radio, but Teton Aviation declined the request. Personally, this was the only glider FBO I’ve ever seen in 23 years which doesn't provide a wing runner, but I said to myself that I just landed out on a desert airport and doing an aero-retrieve. The takeoff was uneventful. If you have no line services, your dollies will be left where you left them. The first exit to the taxi way on runway 21 is about 705 yards from where you take off. After I landed, it was too windy to leave my glider unattended, so I called Teton Aviation over the radio and asked them to bring dollies for me. They did so, but I’m not too sure they always provide this service. There are quite frequent power plane traffics including business jets. In the vicinity of the airport, contrary to the "right of way" rules, Teton Aviation’s operation policy requires you to yield the way to power planes unless there are safety concerns. Overall, I didn't feel that it was a suitable place to do cross- country flights mainly due to their tow scheduling policy. So, I left there after flying three days. But the Grand Teton range was very beautiful. I also enjoyed hanging around in Jackson, WY and visiting Grand Teton National Park. Thanks, -Gen |
#2
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Soaring experience at Driggs, ID with Teton Aviation
On Aug 29, 11:08*am, gen wrote:
I like to fly at different places, so I visited Driggs, Idaho and flew with Teton Aviation this summer. Driggs is a small town (population: 1100) right next to the Grand Teton range and a scenic place to fly. But if you are interested in flying a pure glider there, there are a few details you might want to be aware of. You must reserve a tow at a specific time in advance, and you must take off at that time regardless of the lift condition. You may cancel your tow 2 hours before the scheduled time without a penalty. You may reschedule your tow to a later time of the same day without a penalty if there is an availability. The FBO (Teton Aviation) and tie-down area are located at the south end of the runway (runway 3). Most of the time, there is a southerly wind in the afternoon, so you will be taking off from runway 21. Since private vehicles are not allowed on the taxi way, you must ask Teton Aviation to tow your glider from the tie-down area to runway 21. There is a $15 charge for this service. There is a small, paved, private land connected to the north end of the taxi way. You may be allowed to keep your glider in this area if the land owner permits. The benefit of keeping your glider there is that you do not need to move it for 1.2 miles between the tie-down and runway 21 everyday. The land owner was nice enough to let me use the area this time, so I kept my glider there. However, there are no tie- down cables and it's hard-surface, so basically you must leave your glider untied or disassemble and assemble it everyday. The ground outside of the hard-surface area has lots of tall, wild thistles and is not suitable for the tie-down in my opinion. Teton Aviation's main business is scenic rides, and they seemed to have much higher priority than private glider tows (a scenic ride is $250 and a 2,000 ft glider tow is $45). If scenic rides are busy, your tow will be often delayed. I had three tows from Teton Aviation, and two of them were delayed for 30 minutes, and the other was delayed for 62 minutes. In one case, I had my tow scheduled at 2pm, and the tow plane showed up around 2:30pm with a Blanik for the scenic ride scheduled at 2:30pm. I pointed out that my tow was scheduled at 2pm and I had been waiting for 30 minutes, but they towed up the 2:30pm scenic ride first, then me. There are no structures or trees to provide you shades at runway 21 while waiting. When you take off from runway 21, the line services may or may not be provided at the discretion of Teton Aviation. I had them for only one of the three tows. You must push your glider into the runway, take dollies off, hook up the rope by yourself, and take off with a wing on the ground. I took off in the 15 kts of wind with gusts without a wing runner. The tow pilot was considerate enough to request a wing runner for me over the radio, but Teton Aviation declined the request. Personally, this was the only glider FBO I’ve ever seen in 23 years which doesn't provide a wing runner, but I said to myself that I just landed out on a desert airport and doing an aero-retrieve. The takeoff was uneventful. If you have no line services, your dollies will be left where you left them. The first exit to the taxi way on runway 21 is about 705 yards from where you take off. After I landed, it was too windy to leave my glider unattended, so I called Teton Aviation over the radio and asked them to bring dollies for me. They did so, but I’m not too sure they always provide this service. There are quite frequent power plane traffics including business jets. In the vicinity of the airport, contrary to the "right of way" rules, Teton Aviation’s operation policy requires you to yield the way to power planes unless there are safety concerns. Overall, I didn't feel that it was a suitable place to do cross- country flights mainly due to their tow scheduling policy. So, I left there after flying three days. But the Grand Teton range was very beautiful. I also enjoyed hanging around in Jackson, WY and visiting Grand Teton National Park. Thanks, -Gen Gen, I'm not sure how the Teton Soaring club operates there, but they may have soaring weeks that would provide a better experience for the visiting pilot. Did you happen to join either the Mackay, Idaho, camp or visit King Mountain? I'm told you can reach the Tetons on a good day from there. I'd also like to hear of any reports from Baker City, Oregon, about Serendipity Soaring and how pilots are finding local conditions. There are some commercial operators that will put rides ahead of private tows, but I've never used one, nor have I ever had to schedule at a commercial operation. I just took my turn in the queue. That said, I've heard of pilots waiting hours due to rides. I understand how the ride business is the bread and butter activity to some commercial operators and their staff, especially at tourist locations. Others cater to training and the private owners. Of course the mix of private and commercial traffic varies widely from location to location. Been through Salida, Colorado? Tows only, no rides or training for several years. Frank Whiteley |
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Soaring experience at Driggs, ID with Teton Aviation
Gen,
Frank is correct, flights have been flown from Hailey, Mackay and King Mountain Glider Park to the Grand Teton. Here is the OLC link to a flight flown from King Mountain Glider Park this summer. http://tinyurl.com/KMGP-DRIGGS Driggs isn't the only place in Idaho that has great scenery. The scenery in Central Idaho is also spectacular. http://www.soaridaho.com/photogallery/Mackay_2006/ Wayne HP-14 "6F" http://www.soaridaho.com/ "Frank Whiteley" wrote in message ... On Aug 29, 11:08 am, gen wrote: Did you happen to join either the Mackay, Idaho, camp or visit King Mountain? I'm told you can reach the Tetons on a good day from there. I'd also like to hear of any reports from Baker City, Oregon, about Serendipity Soaring and how pilots are finding local conditions. |
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Soaring experience at Driggs, ID with Teton Aviation
On Aug 29, 7:12*pm, "Wayne Paul" wrote:
Gen, Frank is correct, flights have been flown from Hailey, Mackay and King Mountain Glider Park to the Grand Teton. *Here is the OLC link to a flight flown from King Mountain Glider Park this summer.http://tinyurl.com/KMGP-DRIGGS Just found Gen's soaring blog. He was at King Mountain mid-August. Frank |
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Soaring experience at Driggs, ID with Teton Aviation
After the fatality on the Grand a few years back and a change in
ownership/management of this FBO visiting soaring pilots went to the bottom of the economic priority. If there is anything that will bring in higher revenues, be it hard or soft currency, then those will be accommodated first. In years past this was a good place to visit. We were allowed to take gliders on the taxi with cars as long as we had checkered flags or flashing lights. Yes, we did have to work around their ride business but they attempted to get us up as fast as possible recognizing that our tows would usually be less than half or even a quarter of their rides. The general feeling was one of accommodation not like now where it is very evident that it is a pain... That is what happens when one spends big bucks on infrastructure, capital improvements and the primary business is personal jets which usually spend big bucks each time they land. Tom IDAHO Oh, years ago they were a SSA business member..... |
#7
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Soaring experience at Driggs, ID with Teton Aviation
I participated in King Mountain safari both last year and this year.
In fact, I went to Driggs right after this year’s King Mountain safari. A few 18 m gliders made round trips to Teton from King Mountain on the day Wayne mentioned. I was feeling under the weather that day and didn’t fly, but it’s about 400 km round trip, so I bet there will be another chance. I haven’t participated in Mackay safari, but it’s only 20 miles north of King Mountain, so I assume the soaring experience is the same. I’ve heard of Haily, but as far as I know, there is no longer a glider operation there. It’s funny you mentioned King Mountain because I have been pondering on the vivid contrast of King Mountain and Driggs. King Mountain is a developing gliderport and this is only their second year. Facility- wise, They don’t have anything fancy. A campfire range, porta potties, and a temporary shower are all they have. They don’t have a nice front desk or big screen TV Teton Aviation has. But they have great wing runners, and all staffs were enthusiastic to support pilots and to listen to us to improve their services. For example, they supplied a cooler full of cold bottles of water near the tow queue, free of charge, everyday. This is not just for comfort, but because they know dehydration is one of the common safety hazards for cross country flights. A few other gliderports do the same. When the safari ended, many of us voluntarily left them extra money to support the future improvement of King Mountain Glider Park. I haven’t been to Salida, but have flown at Durango (130 miles southwest) and Boulder (100 miles north) in Colorado. They both had great scenery with beautiful mountains. Durango is a very busy ride- oriented place and only a few private gliders were flying. But I was able to do a 500 km on my first flight there, so I believe there is a good potential for long flights in the area. Boulder has separate ride operation and a club, and they seemed to be working well. There were some great pilots in the club. I also enjoyed the city and hiking trails. It also has an NWS branch and NCAR lab. Both of them offer tours to the public. Tom, thanks for sharing interesting history. Maybe I didn’t spend as much as jet people, but I bough lunch for the CFIG and towpilot who gave me an introduction on the first day, bought and wore a hat with their logo, wore fresh and clean shirts whenever I visited the FBO, and gave tips to the staff who brought oxygen cart to my glider. |
#8
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King Mountain Glider Park (was Soaring experience at Driggs, IDwith Teton Aviation)
I second Gen on his description of King Mountain. This was my 2nd year
participating in their annual safari. The Kangas family enthusiasm is second to none. In additonal to providing tows and full ground support, we also had daily briefings with weather briefing and pilot reports, and pot lucks in the evenings around the campfire. Everyone gets personal attention. They even collect your spot info in their registration form to make sure no one will go missing. And they only charge (very reasonably) for tows and O2. We had 2 tow planes this year, one from Hamilton, MT and one from Williams, CA. The weather and scenery is absolutly spectacular. Both years we had great soaring conditions most of the days. 500-700km flights are very doable in a good day. I went as far as Yellowstone and Grand Teton to the east, Glacier National Park to the north and near the Oregon border west of Boise to the west (some in straight out flights). I am hoping to go there again next year and whenever they will open full time. Ramy On Aug 30, 5:40*pm, gen wrote: I participated in King Mountain safari both last year and this year. In fact, I went to Driggs right after this year’s King Mountain safari. A few 18 m gliders made round trips to Teton from King Mountain on the day Wayne mentioned. I was feeling under the weather that day and didn’t fly, but it’s about 400 km round trip, so I bet there will be another chance. I haven’t participated in Mackay safari, but it’s only 20 miles north of King Mountain, so I assume the soaring experience is the same. I’ve heard of Haily, but as far as I know, there is no longer a glider operation there. It’s funny you mentioned King Mountain because I have been pondering on the vivid contrast of King Mountain and Driggs. King Mountain is a developing gliderport and this is only their second year. Facility- wise, They don’t *have anything fancy. A campfire range, porta potties, and a temporary shower are all they have. They don’t have a nice front desk or big screen TV Teton Aviation has. But they have great wing runners, and all staffs were enthusiastic to support pilots and to listen to us to improve their services. For example, they supplied a cooler full of cold bottles of water near the tow queue, free of charge, everyday. This is not just for comfort, but because they know dehydration is one of the common safety hazards for cross country flights. *A few other gliderports do the same. When the safari ended, many of us voluntarily left them extra money to support the future improvement of King Mountain Glider Park. I haven’t been to Salida, but have flown at Durango (130 miles southwest) and Boulder (100 miles north) *in Colorado. They both had great scenery with beautiful mountains. Durango is a very busy ride- oriented place and only a few private gliders were flying. But I was able to do a 500 km on my first flight there, so I believe there is a good potential for long flights in the area. Boulder has separate ride operation and a club, and they seemed to be working well. There were some great pilots in the club. I also enjoyed the city and hiking trails. It also has an NWS branch and NCAR lab. Both of them offer tours to the public. Tom, thanks for sharing interesting history. Maybe I didn’t spend as much as jet people, but I bough lunch for the CFIG and towpilot who gave me an introduction on the first day, bought and wore a hat with their logo, wore fresh and clean shirts whenever I visited the FBO, and gave tips to the staff who brought oxygen cart to my glider. |
#9
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Soaring experience at Driggs, ID with Teton Aviation
Too bad, it used to be a nice location.
I enjoyed taking a friend for a ride in the Blanik in 1991. They ran the operation out of an old hangar and also had a Slingsby Dart. The biz-jets used Jackson airport on the other side of the ridge. Jim |
#10
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King Mountain Glider Park (was Soaring experience at Driggs, ID with Teton Aviation)
For those of you who are not familiar with the King Mountain Glider Park its' website is http://www.kingmountaingliderpark.com.
Wayne http://www.soaridaho.com/ "Ramy" wrote in message ... I second Gen on his description of King Mountain. This was my 2nd year participating in their annual safari. The Kangas family enthusiasm is second to none. In additonal to providing tows and full ground support, we also had daily briefings with weather briefing and pilot reports, and pot lucks in the evenings around the campfire. Everyone gets personal attention. They even collect your spot info in their registration form to make sure no one will go missing. And they only charge (very reasonably) for tows and O2. We had 2 tow planes this year, one from Hamilton, MT and one from Williams, CA. The weather and scenery is absolutly spectacular. Both years we had great soaring conditions most of the days. 500-700km flights are very doable in a good day. I went as far as Yellowstone and Grand Teton to the east, Glacier National Park to the north and near the Oregon border west of Boise to the west (some in straight out flights). I am hoping to go there again next year and whenever they will open full time. Ramy On Aug 30, 5:40 pm, gen wrote: I participated in King Mountain safari both last year and this year. In fact, I went to Driggs right after this year’s King Mountain safari. A few 18 m gliders made round trips to Teton from King Mountain on the day Wayne mentioned. I was feeling under the weather that day and didn’t fly, but it’s about 400 km round trip, so I bet there will be another chance. I haven’t participated in Mackay safari, but it’s only 20 miles north of King Mountain, so I assume the soaring experience is the same. I’ve heard of Haily, but as far as I know, there is no longer a glider operation there. It’s funny you mentioned King Mountain because I have been pondering on the vivid contrast of King Mountain and Driggs. King Mountain is a developing gliderport and this is only their second year. Facility- wise, They don’t have anything fancy. A campfire range, porta potties, and a temporary shower are all they have. They don’t have a nice front desk or big screen TV Teton Aviation has. But they have great wing runners, and all staffs were enthusiastic to support pilots and to listen to us to improve their services. For example, they supplied a cooler full of cold bottles of water near the tow queue, free of charge, everyday. This is not just for comfort, but because they know dehydration is one of the common safety hazards for cross country flights. A few other gliderports do the same. When the safari ended, many of us voluntarily left them extra money to support the future improvement of King Mountain Glider Park. I haven’t been to Salida, but have flown at Durango (130 miles southwest) and Boulder (100 miles north) in Colorado. They both had great scenery with beautiful mountains. Durango is a very busy ride- oriented place and only a few private gliders were flying. But I was able to do a 500 km on my first flight there, so I believe there is a good potential for long flights in the area. Boulder has separate ride operation and a club, and they seemed to be working well. There were some great pilots in the club. I also enjoyed the city and hiking trails. It also has an NWS branch and NCAR lab. Both of them offer tours to the public. Tom, thanks for sharing interesting history. Maybe I didn’t spend as much as jet people, but I bough lunch for the CFIG and towpilot who gave me an introduction on the first day, bought and wore a hat with their logo, wore fresh and clean shirts whenever I visited the FBO, and gave tips to the staff who brought oxygen cart to my glider. |
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