Scottish visitor to Arizona and Ohio - want to fly!!!

Lets not forget the outstanding operation at Estrella Sailport in
Maricopa, Arizona. About 25 or so miles from Phoenix, lots of
different ships to rent, good instructors, good weather, what else
could you want. I know I'd sure like to go back there, what with
having the winter doldrums here in the northeast.

Ed

snip what else could you want /snip

The management there is not receptive to regular fliers. Their revenue
is generated mostly from student instruction and rides, so if you put
your glider together and push it to the line, don't be surprised if the
2-33 that just landed gets pushed in front of you again while you're
sitting there baking in your cockpit.

One other thing -- don't take your leads on what is allowable from
watching the staff; non-staff pilots must follow a separate set of
field rules. Which should not be a problem if you don't race or
practice contest finishes ...

~ted
Ventus 2C "2NO"
Estrella class of 2003
Graduate studies at Turf Soaring
now delighted to be a Tucson Soaring Club regular

On Jan 7, 9:21 am, "Tuno" wrote:
snip what else could you want /snip

The management there is not receptive to regular fliers.

1. Unlikely a foreign visiting pilot would become a "regular" flier.
2. Nevertheless, have yet to meet management there or elsewhere not
receptive to me when I became a "regular."

Their revenue
is generated mostly from student instruction and rides, so if you put
your glider together and push it to the line, don't be surprised if the
2-33 that just landed gets pushed in front of you again while you're
sitting there baking in your cockpit.

3. Student pilots are the most important pilots. They become the
pilots who
grow our sport, join our clubs, and buy our glider when we are
ready
to move up or retire.
4. Revenue is what keeps any soaring business or club in the U.S. there
so
we can purchase a tow.

One other thing -- don't take your leads on what is allowable from
watching the staff; non-staff pilots must follow a separate set of
field rules.

5. Management has the right to have a separate set of field rules for
staff and
non-staff pilots. They are directly responsible for the actions of
staff.

Which should not be a problem if you don't race or
practice contest finishes ...

6. Inital post did not ask about sites to "race or practice contest
finishes".

~ted
Ventus 2C "2NO"
Estrella class of 2003
Graduate studies at Turf Soaring

7. Not clear that you are a happy alum.

FYI, have enjoyed flying at both Estrella and Turf and would
recommend the one that meets a visiting pilot's schedule better.

now delighted to be a Tucson Soaring Club regular

Have not yet visited the Tucson Soaring Club. Note their
website indicates rides are available on Wednesday afternoon,
Saturday, and Sunday.

As a private owner and non Arizona resident, I've flown my private ship
at Estrella several times and never had to wait long for a tow, even on
days when the ASA racers were flying from the field. The local rules
seemed reasonable and unobtrusive, having mostly to do with keeping out
of the Phoenix Class B.

A real plus for a visitor is the bunkhouse at the field. All-in-all, a
really nice place to visit and fly.

Ray Warshaw
1LK


Tuno wrote:
snip what else could you want /snip

The management there is not receptive to regular fliers. Their revenue
is generated mostly from student instruction and rides, so if you put
your glider together and push it to the line, don't be surprised if the
2-33 that just landed gets pushed in front of you again while you're
sitting there baking in your cockpit.

One other thing -- don't take your leads on what is allowable from
watching the staff; non-staff pilots must follow a separate set of
field rules. Which should not be a problem if you don't race or
practice contest finishes ...

~ted
Ventus 2C "2NO"
Estrella class of 2003
Graduate studies at Turf Soaring
now delighted to be a Tucson Soaring Club regular

"flying_monkey" wrote in message
ups.com...
Lets not forget the outstanding operation at Estrella Sailport in
Maricopa, Arizona. About 25 or so miles from Phoenix, lots of
different ships to rent, good instructors, good weather, what else
could you want. I know I'd sure like to go back there, what with
having the winter doldrums here in the northeast.

Ed

Not "forgetting" but have chosen to not fly at Estrella for the reasons
listed by Tuno. I guess that I can sum it up by saying that many of us in
Arizona feel that the management there has taken advantage of Turf closing
by furthering their own agenda which does not include racing pilots.

One example is being told that it was now policy (a change from all prior
years and after Turf closed) that all racing pilots would need to hand push
(no car tows) their fully watered gliders up hill to the front of the 2-33's
on the line and over half way down the runway, so that they would not have
to move the 2-33's. At gross weight and 110 degrees that was the final
straw for me anyway. None of us have taken this lightly as we all had great
times soaring out of Estrella in the past and wish that there could be some
reconciliation however will not compromise my safety to do so.

Casey Lenox
KC
Phoenix