Best consistent ridge soaring site

I've wondered if there was an actual data to back up the recollections and have never taken the time to look into it. And you're right about marginal/short days. In the case of Ridge Soaring, its remote enough for most pilots that conditions have to be pretty good to justify the trip. Those days have been pretty scarce, at least in my opinion. I'm pretty sure there are many more days that are suitable intro/training flights.

Half the population of the USA is within a 500 mile circle around Ridge Soaring Gliderport. It is about a 4 hour drive or less from western Ohio, northern NY, southern Virginia.

The spring and fall "ridge seasons" are easily predictable, and if the ridge winds are not blowing, the thermals are augmented by the undulating earth /mountains. Thermals can reach 18,000 feet, and we have flown over 39,000 feet in wave lift.

Bottom line - watch the weather. it is worth the drive.

Finally, don't put it off. Doris and I are ready to retire, and we are not sure there is enough interest in the gliding community to preserve the Gliderport.

Great ridge day today, (Friday, Nov 17) and probably tomorrow.

Tom Knauff

On Friday, November 17, 2017 at 5:43:50 PM UTC+3, wrote:
Half the population of the USA is within a 500 mile circle around Ridge Soaring Gliderport.

That's an astounding statistic, especially considering how much of that circle lies in the Atlantic Ocean. Chicago is an easy walk outside that circle, and Nashville and Atlanta maybe 50 miles.

It might well be that near half the population of Canada is in that circle too! Quebec is 25 miles outside it, but Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton are well inside.

Don't get me wrong, Ridge Soaring is an awesome place and definitely worth the drive. As a matter of fact, half the experience is staying in the bunkhouse and having a beverage with some of the best/most interesting pilots and people you'll ever meet. I feel a little bad for the people who choose to stay in hotels. If work didn't prevent it, I'd be making the five hour drive right now.

P.S. - Get on their e-mail/newletter list. Tom normally sends something out if it looks like good flying is in store.