PoA Glide-a-Thon!

I just reserved the plane (G1000 C172, N712NV) for the trip! Not sure at this point if it will be my wife and I flying up, or me and one or two of my flying buddies from the DFW area. Let's keep our fingers crossed for no thunderstorms! The weather through the Kansas and Oklahoma can be iffy in the spring.
 
Fantastic Troy!

A little update:

Matt is hoping to get the Lark this weekend. The towplane should be out of annual after this week. That takes care of the equipment requirements.

I'm looking at a long list of people, about 20, who will be there. There may be some locals there, but PoAers will get priority. Because there will be many there, we are going to need to be well organized. My plan is that everyone will hang out around my FBO and we can bring groups out when you are ready for a ride. I think Kent has offered to grill (right?) and Chris will bring his grill (right?). I also think Chris has offered to load people in his truck to drive people out to the runway?

A little background: Runway incursions are a big deal. The airport doesnt like it when we make Jets go around. It doesnt happen often, but we hear about it when it does. Matt and I are practically pro's at quick, efficient, and SAFE but we will need your help. To start with, check out the wingrunner training course on the Soaring Safety Foundations website. http://www.soaringsafety.org/school/wingrunner/toc.htm

Let me know when you'll be arriving at Ames. I suspect most people will be showing up Saturday morning? Depending on when we want to get started with rides, I'd like to get a good group briefing done in the morning if enough people will be there. otherwise we can work something else out.

For Saturday evening plans...I will be securing a projector and a screen and we will set up a theatre in the maintenance hangar at my FBO. Showing will be the documentary/art film "The Sunship Game". It is the story of the 1969 National Soaring Championships. Starts at a regional contest in the Northeast and continues in the great soaring mecca of Marfa, TX. This was one of the first years of the high performance fiberglass gliders with water ballast, and definitely changed the soaring scene for good. The best part about this is the amazing air to air shots of the gliders racing. It also captures no less than 4 off field landings on film, which is not very common. Can you tell that I love the movie? So plan on that for Saturday night, itll be a blast.

Money: Tows will cost Matt about 30 bucks a piece. The glider will not have commercial insurance. Because of this, we will have a donation bucket somewhere around the food for you to plop some money in. Keep in mind when donating that the tows cost about 30 bucks a piece. The food isn't free either, so factor that in. And dont forget that the tows cost us about 30 bucks a piece.

More to come, post here with your ETA's
 
I will be flying up to KSTJ on Friday, and then a Saturday morning 1hr 15m hop to KAMW. I can arrive anytime on Saturday morning, but am thinking around 8:30 or so. But, just let me know the briefing time, and I'll be there.

How long is the movie, and when do you plan to start running it? I'd love to see it, but plan to get back to KSTJ that evening, weather permitting. I suppose I should have backup hotel plans in Ames or Des Moines just in case.
 
briefing time will be after 8:30, if we have one. not sure on movie start time, but it runs about an hour and a half. If you get weathered in we will take care of you. Several have rooms at the microtel and may have extra beds etc.
 
tonycondon said:
Fantastic Troy!
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I agree!!

tonycondon said:
I think Kent has offered to grill (right?)
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Not sure if he's BRINGING a grill or just helping me to not screw up the brats. :)

tonycondon said:
and Chris will bring his grill (right?). I also think Chris has offered to load people in his truck to drive people out to the runway?
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Yes and Yes.
This time, I'll bring BOTH of my small crappy grills. ;)
I'll have my truck available for some redneck mass transportation.
Rachel will be available to divert S.O.'s, etc. into town if necessary.

I obviously can be there at any time in the AM on Saturday. ?Unfortunately?, I have been committed to attend the Military Ball at ISU Saturday night, so I won't be able to partake in evening festivities. But, I'll be sure to give a full report of the speech given by the pilot from "Black Hawk Down" that will be there that night. :)

One question to pose: Is this a Saturday event with out-of-town departures on Sunday or will anything else be going on?
 
More intro flights will be able to be given on sunday if there is demand for it. Ive got to do a Flight Review for Jesse which I suspect will be that day, and maybe an IPC for EdFred.
 
I finished and passed the Wing Runner course; emailed the certificate PDF to your hotmail account, Tony.
 
cool troy, future reference, my main email is tcondon*at*iastate.edu if you hadnt told me that you sent it to hotmail i never woulda checked. and yes we will have you (and probably others as well) run wings at the glideathon. study up that glider flying handbook as well. lots of cool stuff in it. FYI, it is supposed to be winch launching not wench launching. Glider pilots do not throw medieval prostitutes long distances for fun. The mistake was made after the publisher submitted it to the FAA.
 
Here's a link to the Glider Flying Handbook (dialup warning).

tonycondon said:
FYI, it is supposed to be winch launching not wench launching. Glider pilots do not throw medieval prostitutes long distances for fun. The mistake was made after the publisher submitted it to the FAA.
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Yeah someone musta been asleep at a proofreading desk for a while. Here is a direct link to the Glider Flying Handbook Addendum, which is a PDF list of corrections to the handbook.
 
tonycondon said:
More intro flights will be able to be given on sunday if there is demand for it. Ive got to do a Flight Review for Jesse which I suspect will be that day, and maybe an IPC for EdFred.
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Heck, since I'm not IFR current I might want an IPC, if you're offering them! Otherwise, I'll have to do some airwork with Leslie as safety pilot.

And no, I won't launch any wenches. Since Leslie gets upset when I do that, I've stopped that despicable practice! :rofl:

I will, however, go through the wingrunner course. I've printed it out and started it numerous times. Now I need to COMPLETE it! :yes:
 
Tony,
I'll be arriving Sat between 10-11a. Flying in from EKM. I've done a few days of wing running in the past, so I'll take the course and help you out with that. Oh, and did you tell everyone that the tow cost $30?:rofl:
 
excellent awesome amazing Kaye. We'll see you the 31st!
 
Kaye said:
Tony,
Oh, and did you tell everyone that the tow cost $30?:rofl:
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Yes exactly that's it, the tow cost is only $30 or perhaps I should say, ONLY the tow cost is $30.
 
Looking forward to this. Should be a lot of fun. Do we have an attendee list yet?
 
I just called the Microtel Motel. Be advised if you try and call them our group is:
Pirates of America
"as in ARGHH!" according to the motel employee.

I don't think Tony was very clear. lol.
 
jesse said:
Looking forward to this. Should be a lot of fun. Do we have an attendee list yet?
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This is what I got:

Grant/Leslie Prellwitz
Scott Migaldi (Maybe)
Chip
Chris Jones
Jason Wilkinson (FlyNE) (Maybe)
Jesse/Tristan
Kent Shook
Kate (skyflyer8)
Kaye
Dogman (Maybe)
Troy Whistman
Javier (If he can find a ride, someone pick him up in St. Joseph, MO?)
John Clough
Steve See
Ed Frederick
Spike Cutler
Rick Gleason (ATC from Des Moines)
Nick Paxton & Mike Stodola, students of mine from Green Castle
Brad, the instructor at the other FBO here, hopefully

So yea there is a ton of people and its going to be awesome

I will find some eyepatches and peglegs for everyone staying at the motel.
 
jesse said:
I just called the Microtel Motel. Be advised if you try and call them our group is:
Pirates of America
"as in ARGHH!" according to the motel employee.
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Maybe we'll have to do some wench launching after all. :D :rofl:
 
Hey! Why am I listed between EdFred and FastnFurious? Is this some kind of strong arm tactic?????
:goofy:

tonycondon said:
This is what I got:

Grant/Leslie Prellwitz
Scott Migaldi (Maybe)
Chip
Chris Jones
Jason Wilkinson (FlyNE) (Maybe)
Jesse/Tristan
Kent Shook
Kate (skyflyer8)
Kaye
Dogman (Maybe)
Troy Whistman
Javier (If he can find a ride, someone pick him up in St. Joseph, MO?)
John Clough
Steve See
Ed Frederick
Spike Cutler
Rick Gleason (ATC from Des Moines)
Nick Paxton & Mike Stodola, students of mine from Green Castle
Brad, the instructor at the other FBO here, hopefully

So yea there is a ton of people and its going to be awesome

I will find some eyepatches and peglegs for everyone staying at the motel.
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uhh thats the order I have it written on my little piece of paper here? No strong arm tactics here Steve, we both know deep down that you are coming. Its just a matter of when you are going to realize it.
 
Hey tony, are we only able to take that quiz if we're in Civil air patrol? It asks for a CAPID.
 
Tristar said:
Hey tony, are we only able to take that quiz if we're in Civil air patrol? It asks for a CAPID.
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no you should be able to take it no matter what, i think. i guess ive never tried to take it. Passing the quiz isnt a big deal, but having gone through the course is a good idea.
 
Tristar said:
Hey tony, are we only able to take that quiz if we're in Civil air patrol? It asks for a CAPID.
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There's a link there, where it asks for the CAPID, that says something like "click here for SAS". Click that link, you'll get to the test...
 
I just called the Microtel Inn and they gave me the group price on a room even though it's after the expiration date Tony listed. They also gave it to me for Friday and Saturday night. $65 per night.

Make sure to say you are with "Pirates of America"
 
CJones said:
LAMO! Obviously you are spending your spring break in a very productive way!
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well i was bored working the desk at work yesterday, so got a little carried away, what can i say...
 
Now that was funny right there Tony!

Ahhrrrrr!
 
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Silly question, this, maybe it was covered earlier and I missed it (I don't want to go re-read 4 pages this time of the night/morning): if we're flying in, where on the field are we supposed to park? The FBO? Your hangar? I saw your note that you're trying to get hangar space for the overnighters and that there are plenty of tie-downs available, but are there ropes and chains, or do I need to bring my own? And, again, where on the field do I taxi after landing?
 
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Troy Whistman said:
Silly question, this, maybe it was covered earlier and I missed it (I don't want to go re-read 4 pages this time of the night/morning): if we're flying in, where on the field are we supposed to park? The FBO? Your hangar? I saw your note that you're trying to get hangar space for the overnighters and that there are plenty of tie-downs available, but are there ropes and chains, or do I need to bring my own? And, again, where on the field do I taxi after landing?
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Troy,
Im going to try to fit all the fly ins over at my FBO, Hap's Air Service. They are on the north side. They are not at the main terminal/ramp area. I'll also try to twist some arms to see to it that the shop is mostly empty for the weekend so that we can put some of you inside. Otherwise we'll have 4 or 5 tiedowns at the FBO, or we can move some of you over to the main ramp. We have ropes, but if you want to bring your own feel free. Heres a little airport diagram. X marks the spot. I also suspect we'll have someone on the ground with a handheld to help guide you in.
 

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Looks like I'm officially out. Now have family coming to town to visit on the 31st. Sorry, folks. :(
 
tonycondon said:
More intro flights will be able to be given on sunday if there is demand for it. Ive got to do a Flight Review for Jesse which I suspect will be that day, and maybe an IPC for EdFred.
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I sure wish I could attend, but my daughter and wife have priority on that weekend since it's part of school spring break and beyond transportation to/from Florida, flying just isn't on their list of priorities at all.

Tony, I know you've been planning this for quite a while and probably have thought of all these things but I have a few suggestions:

1> See if you can find someone, preferably a competent sailplane pilot (friendly club member?), to run things while you and Matt are flying. Someone needs to be in charge or things will simply get out of hand somewhere along the way. At my old soaring club there was always a "Field Operations Officer" at the runway, complete with a bright orange bib with "FOO" on the front and back. The club flight ops policy manual spelled out quite clearly what his/her duties, responsibilities, and authority was and that policy was strictly adhered to (most of the time). I'd have a backup or two lined up as well so the main person can take a break now and then. Things will go wrong while you and Matt are in the air and you will have a very difficult time straightening them out from their. This person(s) should be briefed about any concerns (like avoiding conflicts with jets and other powered aircraft, dealing with aborted takeoffs, landings beside the runway etc) that you can anticipate as well as be able to improvise safely if necessary. Also the handoff from one "FOO" to another should follow a formal procedure which includes acknowledgement of the transfer of "command" as well as a proper briefing of current operations and issues. This is much like an inflight change of command on a much grander scale.

2> I recommend that you establish a reasonable maximum time aloft to keep things fair once lift starts to build. There will be strong temptation to stay up "just a little longer" and a hard limit will help to avoid hurt feelings from those who haven't had a chance to go up when time starts to run out.

3> I would assume that if you start getting decent lift, you won't need to tow all the way to 3000 AGL on every flight. You'll want to explain the advantages and risks of getting off early once that opportunity arises. Also a lot of folks probably won't understand the difference between flying in the early morning and midday and it will matter to some but not to some others. It would be desirable to sort this out beforehand so you don't end up with someone flying before the lift is good who really wanted to experience true soaring and someone else going up amidst fabulous lift but wanting to cut the flight short because of the turbulence.


4> Can't you take care of any powered flying instruction (Jesse's BFR, EdFred's IPC etc) in the early AM so it doesn't interfere with the soaring. Seems like a few too many irons in the fire to me. Maybe you can do the IPC and let Ed give the BFR.

Did I say I wish I could be there? Have a blast.

-lance
 
lancefisher said:
I sure wish I could attend, but my daughter and wife have priority on that weekend since it's part of school spring break and beyond transportation to/from Florida, flying just isn't on their list of priorities at all.

Tony, I know you've been planning this for quite a while and probably have thought of all these things but I have a few suggestions:

1> See if you can find someone, preferably a competent sailplane pilot (friendly club member?), to run things while you and Matt are flying. Someone needs to be in charge or things will simply get out of hand somewhere along the way. At my old soaring club there was always a "Field Operations Officer" at the runway, complete with a bright orange bib with "FOO" on the front and back. The club flight ops policy manual spelled out quite clearly what his/her duties, responsibilities, and authority was and that policy was strictly adhered to (most of the time). I'd have a backup or two lined up as well so the main person can take a break now and then. Things will go wrong while you and Matt are in the air and you will have a very difficult time straightening them out from their. This person(s) should be briefed about any concerns (like avoiding conflicts with jets and other powered aircraft, dealing with aborted takeoffs, landings beside the runway etc) that you can anticipate as well as be able to improvise safely if necessary. Also the handoff from one "FOO" to another should follow a formal procedure which includes acknowledgement of the transfer of "command" as well as a proper briefing of current operations and issues. This is much like an inflight change of command on a much grander scale.
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oh definitely
2> I recommend that you establish a reasonable maximum time aloft to keep things fair once lift starts to build. There will be strong temptation to stay up "just a little longer" and a hard limit will help to avoid hurt feelings from those who haven't had a chance to go up when time starts to run out.
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yes we'll have to make sure to keep rides going
3> I would assume that if you start getting decent lift, you won't need to tow all the way to 3000 AGL on every flight. You'll want to explain the advantages and risks of getting off early once that opportunity arises. Also a lot of folks probably won't understand the difference between flying in the early morning and midday and it will matter to some but not to some others. It would be desirable to sort this out beforehand so you don't end up with someone flying before the lift is good who really wanted to experience true soaring and someone else going up amidst fabulous lift but wanting to cut the flight short because of the turbulence.
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of course, although im not sure how much lift we can expect by then, but it could be workable.
4> Can't you take care of any powered flying instruction (Jesse's BFR, EdFred's IPC etc) in the early AM so it doesn't interfere with the soaring. Seems like a few too many irons in the fire to me. Maybe you can do the IPC and let Ed give the BFR.
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yea Jesse is afraid of Ed. Plus Jesse'll be here Friday through Sunday so I got some time to get him worked in. Eds thing is pretty much a "if we have time" type of deal (I think). Im definitely not giving those two priority over glider rides.
Did I say I wish I could be there? Have a blast.

-lance
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yea we'll miss you too!
 
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