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Last weekend was our 25th Anniversary event and the weather gods did not disappoint. Lynsel Miller (CD), with myself, Brian Chan and others helping have been doing this event for so many years its almost on autopilot. The State Parks crew did a nice job of mowing the parking and 3 runway areas, and provided daily trash and toilet cleaning service - quite a good deal for $25 plus $10/day/car ($20 for camping on site). We had temps in the 80's and good slope lift on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for the early arrivals. As usual on Saturday and Sunday the wind was only enough for small floaters, but that's why we aerotow!
We had two new aerotow pilots, one with an H-model Arcus (had been slope-flown the week before) and one a first-time Scale Sailplane flyer with (my former) Reichard Laminar (previous TD glider experience and scale WWI / WWII pilot) and they both had flawless experiences with plenty of instruction and coaching before during and after their flights. It is very rewarding to see new faces with Scale Sailplanes.
We had 24 registered pilots and several guests, our usual Pilot's Choice awards for Best Modern, Best Vintage and Best of Show. I won (first time!) for Best Vintage with my 1:3 Rosenthal ASK-13, Philippe Stampf won the other two awards with his Paritech 1:2.5 DG-1000 with SLS.
Towing duties were ably handled by Scott Marnoch (Bidule 170), Ken Kaye (Pegasus) and Steve Hurd (Pegasus).
Pilot's enjoyed a free raffle including a Horizon Parkzone Ka-8, TMRC Cherokee kit, Los Banos 2018 mugs, and lots of sailplane hardware. A paid raffle for more hardware, mugs and Los Banos event t-shirts followed. A big thank you to our Sponsors Hobby Club (www.hobbyclub.com) and OH Marketing LLC (aka Rosenthal Flugmodelle USA).
Thermal conditions were generally very good to hat-sucking, something Los Banos is well-known for with it's thousands of acres of mixed-use farmland surrounding the reservoir, and the "warm California" Central Valley sun - one hour plus flights are not uncommon.
If you are ever out in the San Francisco Bay Area the 3rd weekend of April, let us know in advance and we'll find something for you to fly.
Bruce DeVisser
We had two new aerotow pilots, one with an H-model Arcus (had been slope-flown the week before) and one a first-time Scale Sailplane flyer with (my former) Reichard Laminar (previous TD glider experience and scale WWI / WWII pilot) and they both had flawless experiences with plenty of instruction and coaching before during and after their flights. It is very rewarding to see new faces with Scale Sailplanes.
We had 24 registered pilots and several guests, our usual Pilot's Choice awards for Best Modern, Best Vintage and Best of Show. I won (first time!) for Best Vintage with my 1:3 Rosenthal ASK-13, Philippe Stampf won the other two awards with his Paritech 1:2.5 DG-1000 with SLS.
Towing duties were ably handled by Scott Marnoch (Bidule 170), Ken Kaye (Pegasus) and Steve Hurd (Pegasus).
Pilot's enjoyed a free raffle including a Horizon Parkzone Ka-8, TMRC Cherokee kit, Los Banos 2018 mugs, and lots of sailplane hardware. A paid raffle for more hardware, mugs and Los Banos event t-shirts followed. A big thank you to our Sponsors Hobby Club (www.hobbyclub.com) and OH Marketing LLC (aka Rosenthal Flugmodelle USA).
Thermal conditions were generally very good to hat-sucking, something Los Banos is well-known for with it's thousands of acres of mixed-use farmland surrounding the reservoir, and the "warm California" Central Valley sun - one hour plus flights are not uncommon.
If you are ever out in the San Francisco Bay Area the 3rd weekend of April, let us know in advance and we'll find something for you to fly.
Bruce DeVisser
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