Soaring around Bay Area early Feb

Hi all,

I am German glider pilot and will be working in the Bay Area early Feb
of 2009. As I will have one free weekend (most likely the weekend of the
7th) I thought I'll check out soaring possibilities.

Now it's highly unlikely that I will have my German license transferred
to a US license (lack of time and lack of instructors this side of the
Atlantic ocean). I would need a school/professional gliding operation or
a club willing to let me fly with an instructor. Does anyone have any
recommendations for me? What's the wave situation like that time of the
year? Thermal, I suppose, I can forget about, right?

any pointer, tips and recommendations warmly appreciated

cheers

Torsten

On Dec 6, 10:31*am, Torsten Beyer wrote:
Hi all,

I am German glider pilot and will be working in the Bay Area early Feb
of 2009. As I will have one free weekend (most likely the weekend of the
* *7th) I thought I'll check out soaring possibilities.

Now it's highly unlikely that I will have my German license transferred
to a US license (lack of time and lack of instructors this side of the
Atlantic ocean). I would need a school/professional gliding operation or
a club willing to let me fly with an instructor. Does anyone have any
recommendations for me? What's the wave situation like that time of the
year? Thermal, I suppose, I can forget about, right?

any pointer, tips and recommendations warmly appreciated

cheers

Torsten

I'd go to Minden - it's about a 5 hour drive from SF if the roads are
clear and there isn't lots of ski traffic, but you have go over the
Sierra-Nevada mountains to the east. It can be a challenging (and
long) drive if there's snow (Google: Donner party). You can also fly
commercial to Reno and drive 45 minutes south. Weather systems coming
out of the northern pacific set up incredible wave when they hit the
Sierras and there are two commercial operations at Minden that know
how to operate in wave and manage the wave window with ATC.

Thermals in February are nothing to write home about.

Nine Bravo

SoaringNV would be happy to have you fly with us during February,
weather permitting. We have a nearly-new ASK-21, good instructors and
our own tow plane, and as someone else has already pointed out, are
familiar with the wave window requirements. If you'll go to our web
site www.soaringnv.com and click on the "weather" page you'll see
links to jet stream forecasts that will give you an indication of the
possibility of wave as much as 10 days ahead of time. Feel free to
email us (I'm at flasorATfrognet.net) or call (775.790.4314 is my
personal number) to discuss this further. We're a new operation but
have lots of personal experience flying out of Minden, and the truth
is, Minden is the best place for you to do what you're describing. I
look forward to seeing you here. Best,

Fred LaSor
SoaringNV
Minden, NV