2004
2001
It's almost time to start gliding! (February 2, 2001 Cascade Soaring Newsletter)
2000
1999
1998
Opening weekend is upon us! February 26, 2001 Cascade Soaring Newsletter)
This coming weekend, March 3, we will be emptying the hanger. We are going to start at 9:00 with clean up and weather permitting, yearly glider checkouts. This will consist of (1) pattern tow with an instructor. If you do good, you will get checked off. The Club is going to provide lunch at 12:00, barbecued hamburgers, and hot dogs. At 1:00 Arnie will be giving our yearly safety briefing, and following that a general club meeting. Everyone will be required to have a safety briefing by an instructor to receive a tow, and every one will be required to fly will an instructor before they fly a club aircraft. The tow rates for the weekend are $5.00 for a pattern tow, and $10.00 for a 3000'tow. All instructor fees are waived. So come join the fun.
Your plane captains this year are:
Tow Plane: Alan Bokma
1-26: Arnie Clark
Twin Lark: Keith Wiggins
Berfaulke: Chris Ogden
If you have any problems or questions with any of the planes, contact the plane captain of that plane.
Bob Smet has taken over the responsiblity for the tow ropes. So tow pilots, if you notice that we are getting short on tow ropes, contact Bob.
The Lark and the 1-26 will be available this weekend for flying. Chris Ogden is still working on the Berfaulke. He is pretty much rebuilding the Horizontal stabilizer. The Club board has agreed to give Chris (4) months free rent for his work.
Our Winter dinner had a very good turnout, with about 25 people attending. Chris Ogden, and Kurt Davis received solo Certificates, and Stefan Valentin received the Clodbuster award for landing out in the middle of no-where, in a freshly disced field.
It's almost time to start gliding! (February 2, 2001 Cascade Soaring Newsletter)
We are only 4 weeks away from emptying the hanger and putting the gliders back together. Opening weekend is planed for March 3. All the gliders are requiring some work done on them.
Chris Ogden is working on the tail of the Berg Faulke. He is hoping to have it ready some time after the season has started.
Keith Wiggins is spear heading the work that needs done on the Lark. He plans to do some fiberglass work on the belly. Also, we are going to make a claim to the insurance for the replacement of the canopy. We probably will not receive the new canopy until after the season starts. Keith says the Lark will be ready to fly on opening weekend.
Arnie is working with Executive flight to make some repairs on the 1-26's right wing. hopefully it will be ready on the opening weekend.
We have scheduled our Winter dinner for February 10, at the Roaster in the top of the Wenatchee Center Hotel. It will start at 6:30. Invite any of your friends that might be interested in joining. The more the merrier.
The new President is Bob Smet.
The New Board members are:
Arnie Clarke, Tim Moomaw, Keith Wiggins, John Roskos, and Alan Bokma.
The board voted Keith as the Vice-President.
The board had a short meeting on January 26th. They decided to order the canopy for the Lark, through Vitek. As soon as we get approval from the insurance, we will get it ordered. The board will have another meeting on February 23, the week before we empty the hanger.
It's been a great year! (September 2000 Newsletter)
Yes, it has been a great year, too bad it's almost over. We have done over 70 demo flights, which has paid for the new Lark trailer.
With the end of the year approaching, it is almost time to take apart the gliders and clean up the hanger. We are planning this the 29th of October. If you have anything you want to store in the hanger, let Dan Morasch know. This will probably be one of the last things Dan will do as President, and member of the club, unless we can convince him otherwise. He wants to spend more time with his Stenson, so be thinking of who you want to be President.
We are ending the year with most of the equipmen in good shape. The Bergfalke needs work done on its tail before it can fly again. During a preflight, a problem was found in the tail, which makes it unsafe to fly. See why preflights are so important.
We want to welcome (2) new members. They are Kurt Davis, Clayton Townley.
Erik Timblin got is private glider license. Congratulations Erik.
As you can see I have finally got the Bi-laws out to you. If you have any questions about them, talk to one of the board members.
We had a pretty good turn out for the August Barbecue, even though it was kind of cool. The next barecue will be next June.
July 2000 Newsletter
We had a great turn out for our annual open house. We gave over 30 rides in two and half days. Thanks to all that gave their time.
The trailer for the Twin Lark is complete. It ended up costing the club $2160.00. We still have to get the trailer licensed and the dolly completed before we can use it. So we are almost equipped to let the Twin Lark go cross county.
Talking about cross country. Make sure you have been signed off in your log book, before you attempt a cross country with a club glider. Also if you are going to attempt a cross country, give a few people a call, just in case you need to be retrieved. Stefan knows all about this first hand. Stefan is up for the Knight-of-the-open-Field Award. He landed in an open field 2 miles short of Waterville. The field had just been disked and we (Dan and Alan) did not have a 4-Wheel drive pickup. Luckily Tim showed up around 9:00 PM to save the day. We got back into Wenatchee just before 12:OOAM. We are still waiting for that steak dinner. So the next time you see Stefan, make sure you rib him, and he can give you first hand experience on what not to do.
We hope to put together the Berg Faulke this week, and get it annualed. We have 4 new students. They are Chris Ogden, Erik Timblin(Arnie's grandson), Mitch Reister, and Jeff Stuart. Erik has been flying almost everyday, and has soloed, and has received his A,B, and C badges. He has also received his Silver badges. Who is going to be next? If you are interested in the badge program, get with Arnie. He would love to go over it with you.
Larry Tobiska is checked out as a towpilot. He should be on our insurance by the end of the week.
June's Barbecue had a great turn out. We even had some Evergreen members drop in. They were repositioning there Blanik over to here, while the contest was going on over in Ephrata. We towed them about 12 times.Our next Barbecue will be August 27th.
I hope to have the Bi-laws out to all members within the next week. I know I have said that before, but time keeps getting away from me.
We have had two members drop out. Ron Ries, bought a glider, and since he lives in Moses Lake, Ephrata is a better choice for him. Also Bill Schmidt is taking a leave while he recuperates. He hopes to be back next spring.
Plane Captains this season:
Tow Plane: Arnie Clarke / 1-26: Alan Bokma / Bergfalke: Stefan Valentin /Twin Lark: Bob Smet.
Winter - Spring 2000 Activity Report
The club met in January for a mid-winter social day with skiing
at Mission Ridge and an evening banquet at the Roaster for annual
awards and officers installment. Keith Wiggins received the most
promising pilot award, closely followed by Bob Smet. Dan Morasch
got re-elected to be the President. On the fourth of March the
club resumed flying operations with the 2-place Lark and 1-seat
1-26 gliders, and its Cessna 150/150 towplane. Two weeks later
the Cascade Soaring's pilots were joined by the Wave Camp
participants from the "Wet" side of the mountains. Tow
pilot training is in progress with Stefan Valentin and Larry
Tobiska getting checked out.
July 1999 Newsletter and a mid-summer activity report
We gave 10 intro rides during the July open house. Also two new students from Leavenworth may join the club. Arnie took one of them on a flight to 9,000'. Canopy on the Lark broke a piece, is being fixed. In the beginning of August there were thunderstorms, on 8/4 2,500 lightning strikes hit in the Cascades, and on 8/5 4,000 strikes. Extra tankers are parked on Runway 7-25 at the moment, so it's closed. On Saturday 7/31 Vitek had a spectacular flight around 300 miles of which 2/3 over the Cascade mountains, from Pangborn to Mt. Stewart, Glacier Peak, Stehekin, Ephrata and in the evening there was still enough lift to go back to Mt. Stewart, from over which it was possible to see downtown Seattle and the Space Needle silhouetted against the bright orange sun reflection off of the Puget Sound.
Cascade Soaring Open house!
July 24 will be our open house to give demo rides. Since we were not able to have our open house on Mothers day this year, with the runway situation, we are going to have it this month. We are only going to schedule for the one day, unless we have a lot of interest, then we will extend into Sunday. So please plan to come and help out. We are also going to have our monthly barbecue that evening, starting between 6:00 and 7:00. We hope you and your family or friends can make it out. The more the merrier.
June's barbecue day was a lot of fun with great gliding. Earl Berg, Dan Morasch, and Alan Bokma, cleaned up the off ice and washed the tow plane. The barbecue was attended by John and Flo Roskos, Dez and Joyce George-Falvy and Joyce's son, Dan Morasch, Alan and Lori Bokma, and a surprise visit by Hanger Harry and his wife.
In the month of August we are going to try to have a club competition. No money or trophy, just bragging rights and a lot of fun.
Think Safety
The Skylark 4 (2E) now belongs to Bob Smet. Dan Morasch, flying the Lark and Bob flying his new ship, flew over to Mission Ridge, flexing his new wings. "She's a lot of fun to fly" says Dan. "I'm going to miss her".
It will be Bob now dragging in late in the day after everyone else has gone home.
We have some bad news, Earl Berg is leaving the area for the wet side of the mountains. Earl will be missed by all. We hope he will continue to fly with us. He has made outstanding progress, and lands the Lark like a pro. He says he will be with us through August. We wish you good luck.
By the next news letter Keith Wiggins should be a glider pilot. He has Nidermyer scheduled for the 1Oth of July.
There is now an answering machine at the glider hanger. So call if you plan to fly. If you don't call and schedule, dont expect a glider to be there waiting for you.
It has happened again, the 1-26 has three new holes in the right aileron. We need to take more time when we are moving the gliders around. Don't assume that a wing tip will clear an object, take the time and double check that it will. These are your gliders, lets take care of them.
Dez and Joyce are excited about getting their glider back into the air. Dez is recovering from his ordeal pretty good. I think flying again is the best medicine. With Dez getting his glider back together, there is room to get the tow plane in the hanger.
We have two new members. Rick Guiewich, and Mark Kaehler. Rick is a private pilot and has an L-33 solo. Mark is a power pilot who is working on transitioning to gliders. Mark also want to do some towing for us.
Please talk to Dan or Alan if you want to add something to the news letter.
Successful Open House at Pangborn
Pangborn had its annual open house on Saturday the 22nd of May. The weather was great which helped in attracting quite a few people. We want to thank David Goetsch, Earl Berg, Tim Moomaw, Dan Morasch, and Alan Bokma for taking the time to help setup the Lark for display, and answering all those questions.
Tim Moomaw dazzled us with something a lot of us have thought of doing, jumping out of a plane flown by Arnie. Just kidding Arnie.
Construction on the main runway is still on schedule. Everyone has done real well of not tying up runway 7/25. At least we havent heard any complaints.
For those who have been wondering where Dez and Joyce have kept themselves, Dez caught pneumonia and got himself admitted to the hospital. He is doing a lot better, and is hoping to get over as soon as he can. Both him and Joyce are excited about getting their hanger completed. We are glad to see you back on your feet again Dez.
Think Safetv
We didnt have a real good turn out for May's barbecue. A lot had to do with it being on Memorial day weekend. June's barbecue and clean-up day will be on the Saturday of the 26th. Plan on showing up around 10:00 AM and helping with some clean up. Flying will start around 12:00, and the barbecue will start between 6:00 and 7:00 PM. If you can not make it for the whole day, show up for what you can. If you come for the barbecue, bring what ever you want to cook on the grill, and ff you have time bring a side dish you have be willing to share.
We have had some problems with scheduling. So here is the procedure for scheduling a tow. The first thing you want to do is get a hold of a tow pilot. At this time the main tow pilot is Steve Joy. For those of you who are long distance and dont get a hold of Steve, call Arnie during working hours, and let them know when you want to fly. Donl assume that when you leave a message that someone will be wafting at the airport to tow you. Make sure you talk to someone in person. Then after you have scheduled a tow pilot, call the glider hanger and leave a message of when you plan to fly and what. There will be a scheduling board that will be filled out of when you plan to fly.
We know that this has been a sore spot with everybody, but we are trying to resolve the situation the best we can. So bear with us.
The Hangar Queen Fly's. Dan with his glider, 2E, has flexed its wings (3) times last month. May 29,1999 it made it to Mt. Stuart in dry thermals from Mission Ridge. High point was 11,400 ft over Mt. Stuart. Glider 6Z from Ephrata was their also. Dan said it was one of those incredible days where it took spoilers to get below 6,500 ft.
Frank Curtiss took the 1-26 to 10,500 ft in what sounded like wave over Badger Mountain. Keith Wiggins took the Lark to 9000 ft and above cloud bases. He said it was a weird feeling to be next to the clouds. After the flight he made 20+ knot gusty cross wind landing like a pro. Not bad for students. Keith hopes to take his check ride this month or next. Earl has been having some great flights with Tim, and getting used to the Lark.
If anyone has anything to add to the news letter, please contact Alan or Dan. Remember, this is your club, and to make it better takes everyones participation. So help out when you can.
Clean-up Day Real Successful!
April 24th was the first wash and wax party for the year. The C-150, Lark, and the 1-26 all received a good cleaning and a new coat of wax. Dave Goetsch said that the 1-26 was so clean, that he keep slipping out of the thermals. Thanks every one for coming out and helping with this project. We gave 16 tows that afternoon. It was a beautiful afternoon, but it was a struggle to stay up. The barbecue was a great time and the hanger stories priceless.
May's clean up and barbecue day is the 29th. So come up and give a hand, do some flying and enjoy the barbecue. If you cant make ft during the day at least come to the barbecue. Bring what ever you want to fix on the barbecue, and if you time, bring a side dish that you can share with the rest of the club. Also, if you have a friend that has been interested in joining, invite them to join us for the day. Steve Joy will be the primary tow pilot. Reinhard will not be available for a while. Dan will try to fill in as much as he can. You ran always try Arnie during the middle of the week.
Think Safety
We have had complaints about people on the taxiway at the glider hanger. Also gliders on runway 25 not ready for take off requiring aircraft to go around. As stated the rules of operation, do not bring a glider from the assembly area until you are completely ready for tow. Only pilots, passengers, and wing runner will be allowed past the hanger line. This is because of runway 25/7 grass and asphalt and the taxi way are active all the time during construction of the main runway. On the ramp or assembly area is the time to adjust the seat belts, pillows, etc. This will help in the delay time. Remember, Pangborn is an airport not a glider port. Gliders only have the right of way on landing. We must fit in or we will not be here.
Construction on the main runway is slowly progressing. Only two more months and hopefully things will be back to normal. Remember also that runway 7/25 will be closed May 17th thru 21st while the construction is done on the intersection.
We are getting a lot of hanger rash on the gliders. The Lark has a new ding, and the other gliders have marks on them from mishandling. Remember they are your gliders.
May 22nd is Pangborn Aviation Day. We plan to set the Lark down by Wings to generate some interest.
We need volunteers to watch the glider and pass out information. Plan on not flying that day, with all the activity.
We want to welcome (2) new members to the club. Lynn Wyman is a high time competition glider pilot, with a glider for sale. We also want to welcome Kevin Bates. Kevin took the ground school from Vitek, and now has the bug to fly.
Our students seem to be progressing and having fun. Earl has been flying the lark with Tim Moomaw. The last time I saw them they were sifting on the stove trying to thaw out. Kevin Bates had a similar flight with Vitek. Right after release they got into the wave. Before they knew it they were at 12,000 feet, and Kevin only had on thongs and shorts. I would guess next time he will go up more prepared. Kelly Wollenhaupt has had (2) lessons in some real rough air. You are doing great Kelly, we have all been there. It does get easier and lot more fun.
Vitek had a great flight in the wave over Mission Ridge. He got as high as 18,000 feet, and could have gone, he figured, up to at least 22,000 feet. But he could not get clearance into the wave window.
New phone number at the glider hanger is 886-0811.
On May 11 Vitek assembled his glider at Lee Elementary School in East Wenatchee for a fifth grade demonstration. Thirty plus kids including their teacher Mrs. Freeman got to sit in the glider, put on a parachute and oxygen mask, and had their many questions answered.
Glider
Ground School Graduates take to the air 
After six weeks of soaking in theory, the
graduates of the Eastmont Glider Ground School took to the air at
Pangborn airport on Saturday April 17. Kevin Bates, Matt Moore
and Evan Siroky each received one half hour of flight training in
the two-place Lark from CSS' instructor Vitek Siroky. Judging
from the grins on their faces it seems like we may see more of
them! Welcome! Photos courtesy of Roy D. Clark, Jr., M.D.
GREAT FIRST WEEKEND!! The soaring season got off to a great start with 14 members present for the safety meeting and annual review. Arnie went over procedures for operation during the construction of runway 12-30. All tow pilots are required to have a flight procedures briefing by Arnie before doing any towing. All glider pilots are to have an annual and safety review with an instructor before flying. The club did 23 tows the first weekend. We got a taste as to what to expect with everyone using R/W 25 Saturday afternoon when the wind came up. We found it hard to see aircraft dragging in below the horizon on base leg and final. So everyone check this area before getting on the runway. Think Safety!
Other News: The Airport has ask all members to park behind the glider club hanger. Our land lease only extend 5 feet to the east of the hanger. We are hoping to have the phone hooked up by the end of April. This will a lot with safety and getting a tow pilot. On the 24th of April we will be having a clean the hanger and wash the airplanes day, with a barbecue late in the afternoon. All members and their families are invited. Bring anyone who might be interested in joining. It will depend on the weather. We are going to start having a day such as this every month. We will keep you posted in up coming new letters.
You will notice runway lights between R/W 25-7 pavement and grass. So be aware on final approach and adjust accordingly. On call tow pilots for April: *April 3rd & 4th Steve Joy & Dan Morasch *April 1Oth & 11th Steve Joy & Reinhard Wemmer *April 17th & 18th Dan Morasch & Reinhard Wemmer *April 24th & 25th Steve Joy & Dan Morasch. The tow pilots will be at the airport at 1:00 PM unless no one calls for a tow. If you plan on a earlier tow, give the on call tow pilot a call. If you want a weekday tow please call Steve Joy or Arnie if Steve is not available.
We want to welcome back Denton Meier. He took a leave of absence since 1996. Denver Highley is taking a leave of absence while he is in Belize, Central America. John Highley is also taking a leave of absence while he is in Zimbabwe. He hopes to be back at the end of the Summer.
Glider Ground School for Junior and High School students is under way. The first session was held at Eastmont High School on Wednesday March 3. Students attending were Kevin Bates, Tim Shirley, Matt Moore, Evan Siroky, John Laub and Ruben Mendoza. Five more sessions are scheduled on subsequent Wednesdays from 3 to 4 pm, Room 321 at the Eastmont High School in East Wenatchee.
The 3/3 program was: Introduction to flight training in gliders, airplane structure and instrumentation, systems, ground operations, manuals. Aerodynamics and flight maneuvers, rules and regulations, flight planning, judgment, safety, and medical considerations, navigation, aviation weather, "the art of staying up", cross-country soaring and navigation. VIDEO "Go For It" (introduction). Vitek Siroky was the instructor.
CASCADE SOARING March 1, 1999 Newsletter
Soaring season is here!!
This Saturday will be the kick off the 1999 soaring season. We will start off the morning at 9:00 AM with a safety briefing. This will include going over the flight operations during the construction on runway 30/12. Also we will go over any safety concerns that people might have from last year. This briefing will be mandatory for anyone wanting to fly a club glider,so plan to attend. If you can not make it please contact Dan Morasch and he will try to work something out to get you briefed.
We hope to see you Saturday. Don’t forget, glider tows will only be $10.00, weather permitting.
Think Safety
OTHER NEWS
Repairs on the Lark are almost complete. Painting is the only thing left to do, which should happen this week. Thanks to all the members that helped get this accomplished.
Alan has talked to Door-Tech about what it will take to get those wonderful hanger doors working properly. He should have information on Saturday.
We are still planning on getting a phone installed at the hanger this season. One of the hang-ups is trying to get it at a residential rate, over a commercial rate. The commercial rate is about $40.00 more a month. If any one has an idea let us know on Saturday.
If you haven't been out to the hanger in the last couple of months, you are in for a big surprise with all the new hangers to the east of ours. Dez and Joyce's hanger will be up in a month or two, which they are very excited about.
The Winter party was real successful and the skiing was great! We had 18 people attend the dinner. Awards were given to Bob Smet for getting his private pilot glider license. Great job Bob! Earl Berg was given an award for sticking with it and soloing. Way to go Earl! Steve Joy was giving an award for being a great tow pilot, and giving so much of his time to allow us (glider pilots) to have a great time soaring. Thanks Steve!!
If anyone has anything to put in the news letter, please let Alan Bokma know. Write up what ever you want in the letter, and drop in the mail to him or the Airport. We hope to put it out monthly.
If you have any ideas to make our club better, let Dan know. We are always open to new ideas.
Winter Dinner February 12, 1999.... and HOW MUCH DID WE FLY IN 1998?
The Cascade Soaring dinner is at the Westcoast Wenatchee Center Hotel at 6:30 PM on February 12,1999. Awards will be given to those deserving. Please call Dan Morasch at (509) 884-0761 if you plan on attending and how many so I can inform the restaurant on how many.
The snow on Mission Ridge is excellent for those interested!! If you are interested in going skiing the day of the dinner call Dan so you can set up a time to meet up there. No breaking your legs with the soaring season upon us.
SKI SAFE!!!
OTHER NEWS
Bank balance as of Dec. 31, 1998 was $ 10,490.00. We are off to a good start. Let's fly safely and get the tow plane paid for. Please read Alan's enclosed recap of number of flights in 1998 and let's try to improve on that for 1999.
As most of you know, the Lark received damage from one take off and two bad landings. The Lark was landed with the gear up and was nosed into the runway, damaging the belly and CG hook. Repairs are being made by Arnie, Steve and Bob and just about completed. A GEAR DOWN? sign will be made for the instrument panel.
Arnie is working on new operating procedures for gliders and power aircraft to make life easier for us all during this summer construction of runway 30-12. This could impact us a lot when the wind is out of the south.
New Officers
President: Dan Morasch
Board Members: Dan Morasch, John Roskos, Arnie Clarke, Tim Moomaw, Alan Bokma and Bill Schmidt.
New Member:
Kelly Wollenhaupt.
Welcome Kelly to Cascade Soaring!
The opening of the 1999 soaring season will be March 6th &7th. We will clean out the hanger and put the gliders together. We will have our safety meeting on the 6th. This will be real important this year with all the construction being done on the runways. We will also have currency tows for $10.00 per tow. So come out and have a good time.
HOW MUCH DID WE FLY IN 1998?
In total 389 tows were flown, and the three gliders flew altogether 217.7 hours. Of the hours total, about 33% was flown in the single-place 1-26, 26% in the two place Bergfalke, and 41% in the two-place Lark. A slightly different was the numbers of take-offs, 29% in the 1-26, 27% in the Bergfalke, and 44% in the Lark.
Of the 22 members who flew in 1998, four were flying also non-club gliders. Counting also the take-offs in the non-club gliders, 3 members flew 30 flights or more, 3 members flew 20 to 29 flights, 7 members flew 10 to 19 flights, and 9 members less than 10 (private) flights. However, the last category included 3 instructors who flew more - non-private - flights, with students.
Counting flight time in the club gliders only, 2 members flew more than 20 hours, 2 members flew between 15 and 20 hours, 3 members between 10 and 15 hours, 6 members between 5 to 10 hours, and 9 members less than 5 hours. However, the last category included 3 instructors who flew more - non-private - flights, with students.
The average flight duration in the 1-26 was 0.78 hours, in the Bergfalke 0.64 hours, and in the Lark 0.65 hours.
DECEMBER 1998 REPORT - ELECTIONS RESULT AND OTHER NEWS
At the time of this writing (Dec.
14), a beautiful wave cloud is spreading over the Wenatchee
valley, shining brilliantly red as it is illuminated by the
rising sun. In the afternoon this writer snaps the following
pictures:
The Cascade Soaring Society had its fall elections. The new officers are Dan Morasch, president, and Arnie Clarke, Tim Moomah, John Roskos and Bill Schmidt are the board members.
Wenatchee airport will be open for the Spring 1999 Wave Camp. Procedures will be slightly modified to coordinate the traffic operating from runway 05/27 while the 12/30 will be repaved. Rather than taking off from the intersection of the two runways as in the past, the assembly, staging and take-offs will be from the Wenatchee glider club hangar area which is at the east end of runway 05/27. The grass runway will continue to be used for landings. Gliders will have to clear the grass runway after landing so as not to interfere with the adjacent taxiway and concrete runway.
In summary of the 1998 club operations, the new Lark has been a welcome addition to the fleet. During the winter maintenance season a few dings will be taken out. It is stored in a heated hangar allowing working on it without getting frost bite. The Bergfalke is still for sale and is being used and maintained.
On the east side of the glider club hangar, new hangars are being erected. One is completed and two are under construction as of December. Three others are to be built, including one for the Vivat motorglider.
A ground school is planned for February, to be given to Wenatchee area junior and high school students. Vitek Siroky is setting this up. Earlier in the fall he brought his glider to one of the schools where some one hundred kids and half a dozen teachers including the school's principal got to sample the glider and hear about soaring (see the report and photos below). The demo was a part of the school's science class, and was a big success. It is hoped that the teenagers will start coming to the gliderport in larger numbers, and join the club. Also several local area power pilots are expected to join the glider club in the spring.
End of the Soaring Season Fest October 1998.
Cascade Soaring Society at Wenatchee held its "End of the Soaring Season Fest" the last day of October when the glider hangar was stuffed with assorted boats, RVs and dissassembled gliders on trailers and loose. Earl Berg fed everyone contributing tons of fine food as a token of appreciation to the club helping him this season accomplishing to solo. Bob Smet was on cloud nine after he passed the flying test the same day administered by Carl Niedermeyer, becoming a private-rated soaring pilot. For the next four months the members of the club will gather from time to time to do glider maintenance before the club resumes flying operations on March 1, 1999. That same day the main runway 12/30 at Pangborn will be closed for repaving for the following four months until July. All the power trafic will shift for the interim to runway 07/25, adjacent to the glider club hangar. New hangars are being erected to the east of the Cascade Soaring hangar along the new taxiway, ending the period when the glider club's hangar was the only structure there, with plenty of space around it and unobstructed views in all directions.... (nostalgia kicks in here). The club has attracted quite a few new members this season, enabled heavier-weight newcomers to fly in a two-place glider (Lark) which was not possible before (in Bergfalke), and the club's finances showed a marked improvement. At the time of this writing (Nov. 10), the ballot is out for election of the club's new officers. The final selection choices were Tim Moomah or Dan Morasch for the president, and for board members four out of John Roskos, Bill Schmidt, Tim Moomah, Dan Morasch, Arnie Clarke, Greg Brizendine and Alan Bokma.
Introducing the next generation of Pilots at Eastmont Jr. High School in East Wenatchee in September 1998 (click on the underlined text above for the article and photos). Cascade Soaring instructor Vitek Siroky took his glider to the school and some 100 students, three science teachers and the school's principal had a chance to sample what soaring can be like during this half-day demonstration. This is part of the young generation recruitment effort. A follow up winter ground school is planned to be held for the 13-14 year olds at their school.
CASCADE SOARING SOCIETY NEWS - August 1998
The weather in Wenatchee has been in the 90s and for one week hovered above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A major forest fire near Lake Chelan has brought smoke to the area which stayed mostly to the north. Soaring conditions continued to be excellent. Club members took advantage of the mid-week towing possibilities and flew on most days. The new used Lark has been very busy, and the towplane got a nice cleanup job.
The second Saturday in August the club organized a Fun Fly meet with a BBQ afterwards. About half of the members came along with their spouses, kids, and friends and enjoyed a beautiful summer evening under the starry skies. Earlier in the day all the club gliders were in the air. At one time five gliders formed a gaggle in one large thermal near the gliderport providing a spectacle for viewers from the ground and a thorough enjoyment for the pilots in the gliders.
The club board members met and approved the following changes: To help promote training in take-offs and landings, the tow fee was lowered to $10 for low and pattern flights not over 600 feet. Also, the hourly usage fee for the Lark has been set at $10 per hour. To promote club members to work on their soaring badges, the usage fee structure on the 1-26 and Bergfalke has been modified. The first hour is $10, the second $7.50 and each subsequent usage hour $5. The club board also has determined that pilots who are not CSS members are not allowed to fly CSS gliders. They will have to become at least an associate member. Full club members with at least a private license can take passengers for orientation rides. To obtain a glider licence at CSS the pilot has to pay the initiation fee and become a full club member.
The club has sold the Laister LP-46 to a private syndicate consisting of John Roskos and Bill Schmidt and son. The glider remains at Pangborn in Wenatchee.
AUGUST SOARING CONTEST AND BARBECUE
Thought it would be fun to have a local soaring contest on Saturday, August 8th. Several people have shown interest in having another club contest as we did several years ago. The day will be concluded with a barbecue at the clubhouse.
We will have barbecues available for cooking so just bring your own meat. Bring your own plates, utensils and drink. Please bring a salad or desert to share.
Plan to show up at the hanger by 10:30 am. The format will be a task will be called out in the morning, coinciding with the days weather conditions. It will be a short task so we can get most of the members that want to fly, in the air. Please let Arnie know if you are interested in flying in the contest so we can assign gliders. Even student pilots are encouraged to join in but you need to coordinate with an instructor to fly with you. This will be a fun day for all! We need people around to help get people off and ..retrieve the unlucky pilot that lands out.
Other Club News
Several student pilots and new members have soloed and/or are getting checked out in the new LARK:
Michael Henderson, Earl Berg, Tony Puglisi, Bill Schmidt, Ron Ries, and others. Bob Smet is working, on his private glider rating and hopes to be done this fall. Allen Bokma just completed getting his power rating. Congratulations to all!
Many of you have seen our new used LARK glider. If you want to be checked out in the LARK you need to review to manual and then take a short written exam. You will also need to fly the Lark with an instructor and get signed off.
When soaring from Pangborn be sure to use the new guidelines sent out by the airport manager.
Notify the local UNICOM operator that glider activity is in the process at the time you plan to take off. Make sure to make the appropriate radio calls and fly the proper pattern.
It’s great soaring weather so be sure and get up as much as you can!!!!!
CASCADE SOARING SOCIETY UPDATE - June/July 1998
Cascade Soaring Society, operating from Pangborn airport at Wenatchee WA, is growing steadily. The club has recently welcomed two new student members, Dan Jungers, a teenager from Royal City, and Mike Henderson from Bothell. Other club members continued to receive their check-outs in the two-place Lark which the club put on line in May 1998. Dan Morasch took the Lark to Mt. Stewart and came back with a big grin on his face. Frank Curtis landed out on his first solo flight just off Grant Road near the airport; the glider was back on the flight line within an hour. After a couple of dual flights he went off solo again, and this time made it back fine. Earl Berg continues flying solo and enjoys every minute of it. Alan Bokma finished his power private license on which he had been working since December and can now concentrate more on soaring again. The club's one-place Laister LP-46 is now owned by a three-member partnership from within the club, and stays at Pangborn. Steve Joy, the club's tow pilot, has been refreshing his soaring skills with instructor John Roskos. Vitek Siroky, another of the club's four instructors, took part in the 7-day long SSA Region 8 contest at Ephrata in an L33 Solo and proceeded to win in the Sports Class. A telephone cable has been extended to the club's hangar now, and the club is awaiting a hookup. Since June 20th there have been 23 consecutive days with soarable weather, most of them offering great cross-country soaring opportunities.
The biggest club news in May is the arrival of the advanced Romanian two-place sailplane, metal higher performance trainer Lark IS-28B2. John Roskos and George Dez Falvy picked it up from its former owner James Dingess in Las Vegas area in Nevada, and trailered it on the trailer loaned from the Evergreen club behind Dez's motorhome to Wenatchee. The Lark has been annualled, and after a few small adjustments (tailwheel replacement, etc.) it will enter service at its new home any day now..
On Mothers' day fourteen mothers were taken to the skies by the club's crew consisting of towpilots Patty Moore and Steve Joy, ground greeters and handlers Greg Brizendine, Keith Wiggins, and Bob Smet, and the Bergfalke pilot Vitek Siroky. All of the mothers enjoyed the rides tremendously. The one who had most fun was the one brought by her family all the way from her home to the glider blindfolded and only after she felt the body of the glider, her blindfold was removed. After shrieking, "oh my God!...", she allowed herself to be strapped in. After the flight said she thoroughly enjoyed the soaring flight. We may see some of the mothers come back and perhaps even join the club.
Bergfalke is going to be put up for sale and so will LP-46 (the first right of refusal goes to Bill Schmidt, who has a serious eye on this glider). Arnie Clarke will make his Libelle available on a leaseback basis to club members who will qualify.
Dan Morasch had some great flights in May in his Skylark - most lasted over four hours. The weather in May has been rather changeable and cool after the first week' hot start (when temperatures were in the 80s). On Saturday 5/23 Dan went up in the 1-26 and found that after reaching cloudbases at 6,200' he could actually climb the upwind sides of the clouds and slope soar the clouds to 6,700'. That was quite a thrill, especially in the 1-26. On Sunday 5/24 Vitek Siroky passed his bi-annual review and instructor's renewal flight test with the FAA Designee Carl Niedermeyer from Seattle; managing to squeeze in the flight just before a major rain downpour.
Arnie Clarke reported that we're going to have a club house phone along with an answering machine hooked up to it, where messages can be left or outgoing message recorded. That will be a great improvement which it is hoped will bring more members to the field on days when one doubts if anyone is out there flying, plus also perhaps also pilots from out of town. Another improvement already in place is the shining new door handle on the clubhouse-to-hangar door.
Baer Selen, two-time World, Soaring Champion from the Netherlands, visited Cascade Soaring Society in March 1998 and gave a slide presentation about the World Soaring Championship in New Zealand. The presentation was a highlight of the club's Spring Picnic on March 28 which was attended by club members and participants of the Wave Camp. Baer also flew at Wenatchee on consequent weekends in a variety of gliders including 1-26, G-102, ASW20, and LS4, scouting the potential year 2003 world soaring championship arena. On one of the flights, on Saturday 4/11, he got to 18,000' in the wave near Mission Ridge.
The club has been looking for a glider with a greater carrying capacity than the Bergfalke to accomodate heavier pilots. It located within its budget a used two-place Lark IS 28-B2 in Nevada. The club hopes to bring it to Wenatchee soon.
Several club members have gained new ratings. Dan Morasch received an endorsement to tow gliders, and John Highley got his private license. John went up in booming conditions in a 1-26 and quickly climbed to 10,000' on Wednesday 4/15. He soon found out he took off unprepared (in shorts and a t-shirt) when temperature at top of Mission Ridge (6,850') was 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Lift was so strong that on tow the vario in the towplane indicated 1,200 fpm up, and it was at 800' before the end of the runway. Keith Wiggins also flew on this mid-week day. Also visiting was Jerzy Plaszowiecki in his ASH26. Vitek Siroky has been giving demonstration rides in the new L13AC Blanik to interested pilots. The Bergfalke has been annualed.
The Club's Board has voted recently to acquire an advanced two-place metal higher performance trainer Lark IS-28B2 which is to enter service in the spring of 1998.
NEWS FROM CASCADE SOARING SOCIETY,
WENATCHEE (Contribution to Towline - March 1998)
For those of you early birds who want to go for that Wave
Diamond, the towplane is available at Wenatchee as early as
February 17. For tow appointment contact Arnie Clarke, airport
manager, (509) 884-2494. Make sure that the Wenatchee Wave Window
agreement with the Seattle Center had been reactivated (suggest
contact SGC's Norm Ellison at 425-747-7879 on that).
The Cascade Soaring Society (CSS) resumes its operation on March
7, 1998 with its thirty members among whom are four instructors,
six towpilots, and four student members; with three sailplanes -
Bergfalke II, SGS 1-26, and LP-46, and with its Cessna 150/150
towplane. CSS is based at Pangborn Memorial Airport in Wenatchee.
CSS stores gliders and towplane in its own hangar at the east end
of runway 07/25 where there is also a nice clubhouse with a
kitchen, bathroom, shower, and a workshop. For those of you who
like to browse the net, more information and photos can be found
on the CSS's website at:
http://www.nwinternet.com/~blanikam/css/default.htm
The website shows the airport layout, scenes from the club's
operation, club's gliders, photos from the surrounding soaring
scenery, and it includes the club's membership roster. For those
of you from "out of town", the important information
contained in the roster are the names and phone numbers of the
available towpilots with whom you may make a tow appointment not
only on a weekend, but also mid-week. Note that Wenatchee is in
the (509) telephone area code. Also included is the information
on what it takes to join the club (there are a number of
Washington's "Wet" side pilots who are CSS's members).
CSS welcomes pilots from Columbia Basin Soaring Club, Evergreen
Club, Boeing Club, Puget Sound Soaring Association, Seattle
Glider Council, and others for the 1998 Wave Camp which
traditionally spans the two last weekends of March and the first
two in April. Later in the Spring the CSS organizes a two-day Fun
Contest which is open to any participants.
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