Omaha NE Area Soaring?

[AC5FF]

I've been looking to move to sailplanes; but having a rough time deciding which way to go... HLG/DLG or larger 2M/scale sailplanes.

I had hoped to hook up with someone local to watch, ask questions, etc; but Im having a hard time locating anyone local to Omaha NE. Is this just a 'dead' area for soaring???

[Bryan Quick]

Check out www.swiftsoaring.com where we have the schedule up.

I went to fly yesterday out at the COBRA field, but it was a little too cold so I went home. I'll probably be fly next weekend.

Bryan

[lincoln]

Anyone ever slope soar the hills just east of 29? Some of them look pretty impressive on Google Earth.

[Bryan Quick]

There's problems with them. Namely, the prevailing winds run parallel to the face. Also, anyh you find that present themselves to a southerly wind usually have lot's of trees or cedars on them. Believe me, I'm looking.

However, if anyone has a spot they soar and would like some help clearing it, I'd be more than happy to help. ;) I'd love to have a spot closer than Wilson, KS. The dams on the local reservoirs usually don't provide enough lift for anthing more than a boomerang or EZG.

I have one prosepct that may pan out. If so, our club may pitch in to clear the ridge. It may even present itself for contest opportunities.

[AC5FF]

Bryan
Thanks for the link! I'll have to do some reading.. :) :) As soon as I get moved back to Omaha I'll have to give ya all a shout! I'm gonna be in town next month (12th) and hopefully the weather will be nice enough to catch a few guys out at the field. :)

I'm curious what you are looking at for a site to clear!? It's been a while for me, but I was thinking around that lake off 96th and 370... not sure about the hill size there....

[Bryan Quick]

Wehrspan Lake/Chalco hills does have a hill, but it's not that big and it isn't oriented to take advantage of the prevailing winds.

Maybe I'm spoiled because I'm from California. Them's some big hills out there. ;)

[AC5FF]

I was thinking Walnut Creek Lake, The west side has a 'small' hill as well as a nice path up to the top, grassy land to all sides, etc...
Never flying slope or anyting else along those lines i wouldn't have a clue if this would be large enough or not..

[Bryan Quick]

I live within walking distance. The west side hill would be great in an east wind if there wasn't the accompanying terrain masking it on the east side of the lake. The only hill with the pitch to support a bump is on the west side of the dam. I've flown it with the boomerang, it's sporty due to the turbulence and rain associated with an east wind. The dam is kind of interesting in a south wind, but Chalco Hills is a taller dam in the same wind. Only problem is all of the people using the trail on top of the dam.