Originally Posted by No Step

Can't do that,...

This is kinda cool. Saturday night there will be a full moon and it's orbit will be closest to earth thus appearing it's largest,... called a super moon. http://www.king5.com/news/local/Supe...149947055.html

this will preclude any good stargazing. working at alpental on saturday too so will need to load ski gear (altho dont know if knee will be able to take it). will leave telescope at home.

On the road O-Dark-thirty in the morning heading east.

Boomin thermals, truly hat suckers made it great day

The Yakima Aerotow was one of the best I've been to. The thermals Gene promised came through the valley both Saturday and Sunday and many got hour long flights. Most of us tested the limits of our eye sight and at times the entire sky was a hat sucker. Most had to land due to stiff neck syndrome.

Thanks Gene

Ditto what Dave said-- oodles of good lift on both weekend days. The highlight for me was the boomer session on Saturday afternoon, with six or seven of us almost losing sight of our gliders under some huge cumulus clouds, spoilers wide open and still climbing, and us laughing our arses off. What a place!

I spent a very good and informative weekend with the guys at Yakima. As a total "noob" to aerotowing, I'd like to thank all the guys, Nigel, Gene, Don and the rest, for setting me straight in the art of towing. It's a bit of a learning curve.

I was able to pull up about 5 or 6 willing glider guys, but then the big purple Stik decided it was time to develop a carb malfuntion, so I watched and learned, retrieved tow lines and generally got in the way for the rest of the weekend.

The maiden flight of my Minimoa was done by Nigel, thank you my friend, and a bit of work is required....ail. differential, putting the spoilers on the throttle stick etc.

All in all, a very good weekend in spite of the cold wind, met a lot of really nice people, did the maiden voyage on my new travel trailer....lots of fun.

Thanks, guys.
Cheers,
Dave.

Just wanted to say it was great to see some old friends and meet some new ones. I know I have been away for a while, but it is great to be back pulling you guys to the clouds! Wish I could have been there for the whole weekend....I am sure Sunday was incredible!!!!!!!!

Dan Borg

Likewise for me, it was nice to meet up with the usual suspects as well as some new faces.
We missed Fred China. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him at the next event.

I was pleased to tow with the new tug and discover it's strengths and weaknesses. A little fine tuning and it'll be a keeper.

The "Thank You" list:

Gene & Greg for doing all the grunt work running the event
George Glessner for allowing us to fly & camp on his beautiful property, as well as letting us store models overnight in his hangar!
Dave C. for putting up with my snoring in the trailer

Other points of interest:

The escaped horse that ran across the middle of the intersecting runways, leaving us with some serious potholes to fill!
Shortly after a discussion as to whether anyone had ever hit the windsock pole with a model, Frank W put an end to the conjecture with his Minimoa. Glad it's repairable, Frank.


Cheers, Nigel

Dan, I knew you couldn't resist the tug sticks for long. Besides you make my good landings look horrible.
I would also like to thank all the tug pilots for taking most of the tug duty off me.
My neck is felling better now after the long soaring flights this weekend.
Thanks Greg, Dave and others that shucked the tow lines. It's a rather thankless task, but appreciated by all.
Next year the event will move to the first part of June where lift conditions, as Don has put it, will suck the rust off a Buick.

There were 21 registered pilots, a good turnout for early May.
Thanks all,

Gene

Gene, Jus wanted to thank you for the Yakima exprience. The night fire backed up to the full moon made the campers w/e. I'm very sorry for your loss as I know first hand how you feel. Have assest Da~Hooker and will be flying in no time. It was great to see everyone.
Bob Beardsley.

Been going to Yak since 2004.

Always a great time, Thank again Gene.

BTW the trailer rental worked out OK.
We used the place in Ellensburg and everything was Great.


Hey Dave ? did I do ok ?
not a single "!" :-)

Bob

What a wonderful event!
Yakima Aerotow had a more than 20 pilots registered for the event with many of these pilots bringing 2,3,4,5 models with them.
Thanks to:
2012 Yakima Aerotow event official planner and organizer Gene & Ida Cope,
more than decade sponsored by Glessner Air strip(2000 ft. plus long runway) owner George & Irene Glessner and field crew Greg.
I have been attending this event for the past 11years and I always keep coming back.
6 tug pilots and Yakima team (Gene, Ida, Greg)were kept busy all weekend long towing sailplane throughout the days.
*Gene Cope's 1/3 super Cup, workhorse Yakima Bull, DLE-170 super powered
Pegasus(This will be more than enough to handle 50% sailplane)
*Dan Borg flew the DLE-170 Pegasus
*Bob Beardsley's DA-Hooker
*Sanders Chai's Super Decathlon with DLE-56
*Nigel Tarvin's Brison 6.4 pilfered Pegasus(V tail design by himself)
*Dave Collie's Big Purple Stic

It was wonderful event!

Dave Kim

...more photos...

...few more pics...

Perfect! Bob!

Dave!

...and thanks for the wonderful pictures, Dave Kim!!!!