Soaring – August 2019

http://www.ssa.org • August 2019 • Soaring 21

Alaska may present the biggest opportunity for big flights,
but the logistics are daunting. Oregon is weakest relative to
its neighbors and offers a number of record opportunities.
Wyoming and Idaho are both large and under-flown; and
both could be launch points for speed and distance tasks
extending into adjoining UT, NV, and CO. Out & Return
(O&R) Speed is an under-flown task in this and all the
other regions.

The great northern plains are flat and largely under-
flown. Convective conditions rule everywhere. Agricultural
areas are landout friendly and airfields are more plentiful
than further west. Temperate northern summer weather is
delightful but high cloud bases don’t occur as frequently as
further south.

You too could be the master soarer of the high plains!
You might get credit just for rigging in South Dakota or
Kentucky. Someone should establish Illinois’ altitude re-

cord already. MN and OH make the most of conditions

and show the other states how to do it.

Substantial mountains create world-class wave condi-

tions. Marine weather along the coast can make soar-

ing there a challenge. Much of the terrain is rugged and

wooded, especially down east. There’s more elbowroom and

friendlier terrain in NY.

RI and DE compete with CT for weakest conditions, but

records await the bold. ME has untapped soaring potential

if carefully planned for safety. NY could set national dis-

tance records if connected with PA to the south.

Linear ridge systems run continuously 500 miles from

PA to TN, making this a distance and speed mecca when

the wind blows from the northwest. In peak conditions,

soaring flights of over 1,000 miles are possible. *