Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!Gobbel.pa@PARC-MAXC.ARPA From: Gobbel.pa@PARC-MAXC.ARPA Newsgroups: net.aviation Subject: Re: lesson costs Message-ID: <14331@sri-arpa.UUCP> Date: Mon, 5-Dec-83 19:22:30 EST Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.14331 Posted: Mon Dec 5 19:22:30 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 9-Dec-83 08:34:21 EST Lines: 27 From: Randy Gobbel I had my first sailplane ride at Ridge Soaring, and sure enough it's wonderful - the place is immaculate, the equipment is among the best you'll find, and Tom Knauff and Doris Grove are really great hosts as well as great soaring pilots. Among other places, especially if you're going to be renting, I think the hands-down winner in this country must be Minden, Nevada. Summer thermals will frequently take you right up to 17,999', often from only a 1500' tow, and winter and spring wave (and high-altitude window) is right over the field, with numerous Diamond altitude climbs every year. The rental fleets (there are three FBO's on the field) include: 2-33, 1-26, Standard Cirrus, Open Cirrus, LS3, Ventus B/Turbo, DG-400, Lark, Janus, Twin Astir, Pilatus, Club Libelle, Mini-Nimbus, Kestrel 17, Nimbus 2, and the world's only rental Nimbus 3. I'm currently working my way up to the Nimbus 3, starting with the Mini-Nimbus. This is not a complete list, and most of the others are also high-performance glass ships. Their experience requirements are surprisingly lenient. Rates for the glass ships are higher than you'd expect for a 1-26, but 25% more money for 95% more performance seems like a good deal to me. Another place I like a lot is Tehachapi, California, with excellent conditions, well-maintained Schweizer equipment, and the cheapest rates I've seen. I think they also have some glass for rent now as well. -Randy