Soaring, The King of Sports

soaring
My 1-23H(-15) near Gardner, Fl



Long Affair

This hobby has kept my interest the longest, and I always had the greatest passion for Soaring. Of my many exploits, soaring was the most challenging and rewarding. It has been said that if you are flying a glider cross country and you are not making a decision at least once a second you are making a mistake. Soaring has a long learning curve and the rewards must be internal, no one really cares or believes what you can do with a glider. Soaring is on the decline, most young people want instant gratification, and many of us who have soared over a few decades have noticed a decrease in soar-able weather.

Please see the following links for a possible explanation of this decrease in soar-able weather.

soaring
View from Schewizer 1-23 Sailplane near Arcadia, Fl

Accomplishments

I earned private, commercial and flight instructor privileges. I was checked out in Airplane, Winch, and Auto tows. I have flow over 1000 hrs. and flown numerous miles. My longest flight was 6 hrs. and 54 minutes. My farthest flight was from Arcadia, FL to Gainesville, FL. I obtained the FAI "Silver C" #3221 for that flight.

Some of the Gliders I Have Flown

2-33
2-33

1-26
1-26 Note open Cockpit

2-22
2-22

1-23
1-23 (owned)

Ka8b
Ka8b

1-34
1-34

1-35
1-35

1-36
1-36 (stock photo)

Blanik
Blanik

2-32
2-32

LARK
Lark IS28B2

The Sad End

I only stopped flying gliders in August 2004 when Hurricane Charlie destroyed all but 3 aircraft at FD40 where I was based.

citabria after hurrican 126 after hurricane
Our Citabria Towplane after Hurricane Charlie Our 1-26 after Hurricane Charlie

And a few months later in September on Fridaythe 13th Hurricane Jeanne destroyed my wonderful 1-23.

123 after hurrican 123b after hurricane
My Classic Schweizer 1-23 N10382 after Hurricane Jeanne

I was already driving 3 hrs each way to soar and now I would have to drive nearly 4 hours each way. But I have saved my insurance money and hope to be soaring once again.

More information

If it sounds like soaring might interest you please contact the Soaring Society of America. They even have an interactive map to help find a soaring center nearest to you.

The learn more about Lenox Flight School Click here

To see more about Pat and Harriet Click here and Click here and see page 21