Crestline Soaring Society

The CSS Board met this past weekend and we are excited about the development of the X-Country Ranch and the future of the CSS in this regard. Please see the minutes from the meeting at http://www.crestlinesoaring.org/2010_feb_special_meeting_minutes .

Many of you will recall that back in 2006, while the developer was pressing ahead with plans to develop the property to our east; the Ranch property to our north came up for sale. There were at least three bidders: the developer; a lady who wanted to plant an orchard; and pilots Len and Owen. Fortunately for us, Len and Owen were the successful purchasers. Our approach has been protected, our water supply increased, the fence between the properties and the 'paragliding eating tree' are gone, and now the Big O project is in mid-flight.

Crestline Soaring Society.

Special Meeting February 27, 2010

Minutes

In attendance:

Board Members: Alan Crouse, Megret Olewiler, Mike Blakely, Ken Howells, Dianne McKenzie, Mike Zeller.

Board Members on slate for upcoming election: Dan DeWeese, Kevin Williams

Members: Owen Morse, Len Szafaryn, Rob McKenzie, Ken Westfall, John Wright

C'mon out Saturday morning before flying for some fun times with some power tools. We'll be sawing logs (the wooden kind) in preparation for a CSS fund raising event.

Rumor has it that the new motorized hill climber for the Big O loop should show up too. Be among the first to see this mountain goat on wheels.

See you between 9 and 10.

- Alan

Farewell Haim Amir.

Hello! I'm a Midwesterner coming out to Palm Springs for week. Ill have maybe late Sunday (around 4:00pm) and all day Monday available to fly in the area. Couple quick questions.

1. Any early weather outlook for the area for Sunday/Monday?

2. Im a P2 and I typically like to pay for a quick site coaching session for any new area and to do a quick brush up on my skills. I fly a few times a year. Anyone available? (plus the site is P3 if alone as I understand it)

... some bad news, "I think Dennis only has a broken arm, 3 broken ribs and a very black eye". Glad it wasn't worse than it is. Does anyone have more to add?

We had a great turnout for the CSS Toy Drive 2009! It was windy from the north, but warm. Seemed like about 20 pilots came to hang out, eat pizza and drop off toys to add to the club-purchased pile. The Suburban was full of goodies for the tots. The local firefighters came out to have some pizza and socialize and then we delivered all the toys to the fire station.

"If ya can't lick 'em..."

Over the years it's been noticed that our PG community rarely uses the right-hand approach pattern that someone(s)chose as the pattern they should use.
I admit that I know nothing about the thinking that went into the choice of patterns for HG and PG. I hope to be enlightened soon, and I'm sure I will be.

Meanwhile, I'd like to suggest that maybe we should try switching the patterns for a trial period. At best, we might find a solution to what some believe is a problem. At worst, we learn something.

ready to go!

We're having our annual toy drive on Saturday December 19. We collect unwrapped toys for all ages and add them to the nearby fire station's toy gathering efforts. The firefighters bring a truck out to the LZ and we get to interact in a non-emergency situation. We haven't seen them much this year, which is a good thing!

Toys will be collected in the LZ on Saturday from Noon until 2 PM.

Found, Garmin GPS in back of the McShuttle on 10-25-09.

Left my Garmin 305 GPS at AJ Park, after flying October 17. I was on the last McShuttle,I took it off my wrist during glider break-down, and apparently walked away with out it. If found please call me at 7-one four-7 two six- 6-2-7-2.

Seems like i leave something behind after every flight. So far I am 100% at recovering lost or left items, I sure hope this shows up.

Thanks

Saturday morning at 9am I found the south storage container unlocked. Probably whoever flew on Friday that has a wing stored in that container forgot to lock it. I have heard this happens occasionally. PLEASE double check on your way out.

The San Manuel Band of the Mission Indians are holding their annual Pow Wow at Cal State San Bernardino this weekend and large crowds are expected. Usually the bulk of the visitors use the eastern entrance to the campus, across from the LDS temple. It may be better to take the Kendall Drive route to Hwy. 18 instead of Northpark.

the Pow Wow is open to all, so perhaps those with drivers and/or family members in tow could give them diversion by stopping in before or after or directing them to go there while the pilot flies.

I would like to invite someone who likes to throw parties to take my place as Activities Director.

I can't imagine a club full of nicer people, more fun to volunteer for, than the Crestline Soaring Society. We've got a great core of cornerstone members who really help, in official and unofficial capacities, the place run well.

Ken Howells has been handling the website and windtalker and Simba and other IT issues forever... the longest standing board member. Alan has put in many years, including this last very important one, as the calm and dignified President of our club. Mike Blakely, the ever-helpful Mike Zeller, Megret and Dianne are fantastic in their roles as Treasurer, VP, Secretary, and Site Coordinator, respectvely. I have really enjoyed being on the board and working with these great peeps.

Finally get to land on the Grass!

(tshirt stuff at bottom)

Thanks Dianne for setting up the tables, Lee Coe for covering while I flew, Dave A. for helping with the generator and a ton of other things, the Van Veldens for getting ice, Megret for sign ins and running the food serving and cleanup, Linda for setup help and sign ins, Mrs. Barth (lousy with names, forgot your first :( ) and Flakey's friend (see names) and one other (that names thing) for the help serving, Mike Harper for hauling trash, Owen and those who helped him with the slip 'n slide, Rob for the gator and generator help, Mike Z for cleanup help, Todd Snaza same, James for doing such a great job on the spot landing, all the guys who helped unload and get the drinks chilling, and everyone who helped that I can't think off the top of my head.

Please note the poll over there on the left margin.

Ok,

Having had the caca scared out of me by a visiting pilot who doesn't know sh** from shinola, the Fort Funston system of stickers sprang to mind.

http://www.flyfunston.org/sticker.php

You cannot fly there without one.

As it stands now, it's basically the honor system. For 3 months a year on weekends, we hire, at club expense, a site monitor to make sure that people have filled out paperwork and paid dues and have their certifications.

On Saturday evening, Sept. 5th, I saw my first mammatus clouds to the distant SE of AJX! a totally bitchin' formation! not smart enough to have photograped the spectacle...DID ANYONE ELSE? (they weren't nearly this pronounced, but were identifiable, nevertheless!)

http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/nebraska/june2004hastings-mammatus.html

a picture of Dimitri's venture into hang gliding. In the "Pilots" section of the Photo Galleries. Going for a MRI (with Dye yet) this afternoon, to get a more accurate prognosis on the shoulder. Keep the fingers crossed. Joel