Introducing the New People

This year we have a new set of officers, including a new president.  For the few who haven’t met me yet I’ll give just a few details:  I have been flying about twelve years, taking lessons with Chandelle in Marin County.  I fly the mountain sites within a few hours drive from the Bay Area:  Potato Hill, Slide, Tollhouse, and Dunlap.  I fly races but am not competitive.  I have poor launching and landing skills.  I believe the key to better piloting is the accumulation of the most expensive equipment available and replacing it often.  Dealers love me.


High above San Marcos in Mexico - photo by Tom Bair

Looking Forward to the Year

In charge of activities this year is Ann and Brent, who will be filling the
calendar with parties, fly-in’s, clinics, and meeting presentations.  Stay
tuned for announcements for clinics on thermalling;  cross-country flying; 
PLF’s;  reserve packing;  and basic first aid.  And don’t forget the Jody
Lucas picnic and its hike & huck event. 

Meanwhile, Jugdeep is setting up another year of the XC League events. 
These races are a unique opportunity for anyone to fly in an environment
close to that of sanctioned events, but without the costs, deadly competition,
and assault to the ego that comes with the real thing.  If you think thermalling
is fun and cross-country flying is exciting, you haven’t seen anything yet. 
Come to the races and make all your flying and GPS mistakes in friendly
and supportive environment.

Flying Sites

Taking over for me as Site Administrator is Chip Sheppard.

It was not so long ago that the only consistent mountain site within a reasonable drive was Potato Hill.  But like last year, Dunlap is open and available all the time, and Tollhouse is available by arrangement with the land owner.  Dunlap even has a cabin resort next to launch.  Both these sites are suitable for pilots new to thermal flying, and are also frequent venues for the XL League. 

Meanwhile, there is work afoot to create a flying site at Mt. Unumhum, between Saratoga and Santa Cruz.  The county is taking comments in anticipation of a use plan.

New Meeting Schedule

The club officers decided to go to a bi-monthly meeting schedule, divided evenly between south bay and peninsula venues.  This should provide the meetings better entertainment overall, and give people better reasons to attend. 

Don’t Forget to Renew!

By the time you get this the deadline will have passed for renewing your membership.  But in case you let the deadline pass (and somehow are reading the Ridge Dancer anyway!), please consider this another reminder.

The Worlds

As I write this the worlds are in full swing.  This will likely change quickly – it often does – but today Josh Cohn and Tom McCune are both in the top ten.  The internet has turned into a trash-talking sports bar but hey, it beats being attacked by wedgies or sitting in a harness full of hailstones.

That’s it for now

See you in the air, at Ed or Mission or Diablo or wherever.