Marfa Soaring article, photos, maps, historic articles

September's Soaring includes the Marfa Report 2004 article that we
wrote. There were more photos than could be included in the magazine,
and we also came across the historic articles that detail the big races
held there years ago. Feel free to download the PDFs - these make good
reading.

1969 National Championship Marfa
see also 1969 National Soaring Championship Tasks

1970 World Soaring Championship

1972 Standard Class National Championship Marfa


There are also preplanned tasks for Marfa for Records and FAI Badges in
pdf format.

see
http://www.chilhowee.com/marfa.htm


I'd encourage other pilots to go visit Marfa, it offers awesome soaring
weather and great beauty too. These articles from the old races got me
real nervous about flying there, but since we were not competing for a
world championship we did not feel pressured to take big chances like
they did 35 years ago. [In the Sunship Game it appears almost as they
are unaware of the dangers of dehydration and maybe hypoxia too].
Burt can guide new pilots on the local area and it does not have to be
intimidating at all.

regards,
Chris

I enjoyed reading the Soaring article, but why was the 2004 report
printed in the September 2005 issue?

2NO

Chris Ruf and his merry band of Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama (GTA)
racers visited Marfa again in 2005, and set several Texas State soaring
records. Thanks for the great article, the web resources and helping
reestablish Marfa as a soaring destination / glider training facility.

The sidebar article by Darrel Mullins of Iowa (page 27) was terrific.
He really did a nice job describing our move from Miami to Marfa, and
the encouragement and cooperation I received from the Marfa community
when building our big hangar and establishing Marfa Gliders as a viable
year-round soaring operation..

Come visit - we'll help you meet your goals, whether basic training,
badges, or records, and show you a good time! Just let us know in
advance that you're planning to visit.

Burt Compton, Master CFI / FAA Designated Pilot Examiner
Marfa Gliders, west Texas
www.flygliders.com
800-667-9464

By the way, the Marfa soaring season is year-round - just last Sunday
John Byrd (two-time US Standard Class champion) explored a new triangle
in his PW-5 from Marfa, west to Lobo then southeast down the Sierra
Vieja mountains to Cibolo, and back to Marfa. (See the El Paso
sectional or WAC 23). Only 160 miles but very "scenic" terrain. John
averaged about 70 mph, in practice for the World Class (PW-5) Nationals
at Marfa June 20-29, 2006. Jim Hardy has parked his Discus here, and
visits each month from Oklahoma. For the past few days, Jim's been
zipping around the Marfa Plateau and topping 14,000' msl over the Davis
Mountains. Just for fun.

Tows, training and PVT/COM/CFI glider rating checkrides available
year-round, but check my travel calendar at www.flygliders.com If
I'm not here - I'm someplace else.

Burt
Marfa Gliders, west Texas
"Where yesterday's USA Today arrives tomorrow."