Live Streaming Gliding this Summer

It sounds like an interesting project. As far as "scheduling" well in advance with glider pilots, this 50 days in 50 states sounds like too tight a schedule. But you might announce where you are as you go and see if someone is flying or planning to fly on shorter notice.

On Monday, May 18, 2020 at 4:43:42 PM UTC-6, Bret Hess wrote:
It sounds like an interesting project. As far as "scheduling" well in advance with glider pilots, this 50 days in 50 states sounds like too tight a schedule. But you might announce where you are as you go and see if someone is flying or planning to fly on shorter notice.

Soaring is very weather dependent. Even if you could make it to every state in the allotted 50 days, you are bound to run into bad weather along the way, which would be a no-go. You would need to somehow plan that in to your trip.

Soaring is very weather dependent. Even if you could make it to every state in the allotted 50 days, you are bound to run into bad weather along the way, which would be a no-go. You would need to somehow plan that in to your trip.

Thanks for the response, John. For clarification, I don't intend to glide to/in all 50 states as my traveling will be done by road. My vision was to visit someone on this forum in the afternoon and to take either myself or just the camera up for a flight. You're definitely right about the weather consideration though. Would this be something that you would be interested in helping me with, weather permitting?

On Monday, May 18, 2020 at 5:20:53 PM UTC-6, Monte Carbo wrote:
Soaring is very weather dependent. Even if you could make it to every state in the allotted 50 days, you are bound to run into bad weather along the way, which would be a no-go. You would need to somehow plan that in to your trip.

Thanks for the response, John. For clarification, I don't intend to glide to/in all 50 states as my traveling will be done by road. My vision was to visit someone on this forum in the afternoon and to take either myself or just the camera up for a flight. You're definitely right about the weather consideration though. Would this be something that you would be interested in helping me with, weather permitting?

I would certainly be interested. However, I too only have a single seater. I live in MT in an area where I'm struggling to even get a tow pilot. There is only one other glider pilot that flies in my area with any kind of regularity, and he flies motor gliders. And he doesn't do social media. Then there is the issue of work schedule, as I don't work in the aviation industry, so my time to fly is limited. But, if everything lines up, I'd be happy to take a camera up in my glider, assuming I had a tow-pilot available as well. And if I had a two-seater, I'd be happy to take you up as well, for however long the weather cooperated, or my schedule allowed, or either of our bladders could handle.

I would certainly be interested. However, I too only have a single seater. I live in MT in an area where I'm struggling to even get a tow pilot.

That sounds absolutely amazing, John. I lived in Montana for 9 months up in Kalispell area and fell in love with the state. It has to be the most beautiful part of America; I can't imagine how neat it would be to fly a glider around there. Needless to say, I'm very jealous haha!

Montana will actually be one of the few states that I'll be spending two days in (July 21-22). If you don't mind, I'll send you another message when I get closer to see how you're doing and what your schedule/flight ability looks like. In the meantime, thanks for the consideration!

On Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 8:45:49 AM UTC-6, Monte Carbo wrote:
I would certainly be interested. However, I too only have a single seater. I live in MT in an area where I'm struggling to even get a tow pilot.

That sounds absolutely amazing, John. I lived in Montana for 9 months up in Kalispell area and fell in love with the state. It has to be the most beautiful part of America; I can't imagine how neat it would be to fly a glider around there. Needless to say, I'm very jealous haha!

Montana will actually be one of the few states that I'll be spending two days in (July 21-22). If you don't mind, I'll send you another message when I get closer to see how you're doing and what your schedule/flight ability looks like. In the meantime, thanks for the consideration!

You're welcome. Here's to hoping everything lines up perfectly. I'm just south of Flathead lake in the Mission Valley.

On Monday, May 18, 2020 at 5:43:42 PM UTC-5, Bret Hess wrote:
As far as "scheduling" well in advance with glider pilots, this 50 days in 50 states sounds like too tight a schedule. But you might announce where you are as you go and see if someone is flying or planning to fly on shorter notice.

You're absolutely right about the tight scheduling, Bret. I'm just hoping I can manage it via car, let alone involving the complexities of gliding conditions haha! That said, I have a pretty good idea of my schedule with each state having a specific date. All I could request would be a "maybe list" that says, "I'll be in your state on this day. If everything is looking good, let's try for a flight." Would you be interested in something like that and to play it by ear as I get close?

When you get out to "the big square states," you are going to have to do some serious speeding. Driving across Texas is a good, serious dawn to dusk excursion (or more). Be sure to allow for the time it takes to deal with the Highway Patrol and assorted county court jurisdictions.

Be sure to live stream those, too. Could be the best part of the video!

Be sure to live stream those, too. Could be the best part of the video!

Haha content is content! Fortunately I'm only touching the tips of most of those states, so it shouldn't be too bad. Arizona and New Mexico are probably going to be the longest days and those are early on in the trip. I put a lot of thought into my route to help my sanity (and driving record/wallet) as much as possible haha.

What about the gliding? Weather permitting, would you be interested in hosting me or at least just my camera for an afternoon flight?

I can't make any promises due to my work schedule, but you should definitely contact Sundance Aviation in Moriarty. They drag gliders up from 0900 to 1700, but might be closed on Monday/Tuesday.

My glider is a single seat, so just the camera is the only option. (I did the weight & balance numbers and even if you are a leprechaun, I can't duct tape you to the tail.)

But even if I take just the camera, you won't get it back until the flight is over. Maybe 4-5 hours or so. A shorter pattern tow or basic "ride" from Sundance is the best option if you intend to hit the road to make it to the next "big square state."