Welcome to the SSSA
The Steamboat Springs Soaring Association (SSSA) is based at the Eagle Soaring airfield just west of Steamboat Springs, in the mountainous state of Colorado. A non-profit chapter # 525031 of SSA, we started operations in May 2014. We provide economical access to gliders, winching, training and great soaring opportunities to our growing membership. Some members own their own ships and are seasoned veterans of the sport, others are students in the process of learning it.
Just imagine the possibilities: Soaring high above Mt. Werner, you hook into a cloud street and cruise up and down the Park range, flying into Wyoming and down south, past Kremmling, Silverthorne and back again. Our soaring association has enabled local pilots to achieve equivalent spectacular flights for minimal costs. It also provides a crucial educational and social venue that fosters learning opportunities for all aspects of our sport.
Just imagine the possibilities: Soaring high above Mt. Werner, you hook into a cloud street and cruise up and down the Park range, flying into Wyoming and down south, past Kremmling, Silverthorne and back again. Our soaring association has enabled local pilots to achieve equivalent spectacular flights for minimal costs. It also provides a crucial educational and social venue that fosters learning opportunities for all aspects of our sport.
Calendar for Blanik L-23 reservations
SuperBlanik L-23 is here !!
Shown above is SSSA's latest addition to its fleet, a two-place sailplane, the LET L-23 Super Blanik. This rugged trainer enables our association to offer complete flight instruction right here in the Yampa Valley. Pilot students and instructors will benefit from the outstanding ground launch handling, comfort and the docile thermalling characteristics of the ship.
The associations pilots can now enjoy sharing the excitement of soaring with friends and family as passengers.
The associations pilots can now enjoy sharing the excitement of soaring with friends and family as passengers.
New "Introductory Day Membership" category offered
The association is pleased to offer $100 "Introductory Day Memberships" to the general public. A day member is entitled to operate and receive instruction in our two place sailplane with one of our clubs Certified Flight Instructors as a PIC. An individual can now experience first hand the thrill of a winch launch and contemplate the exceptional scenery of the Yampa Valley during a soaring flight with a qualified instructor. Includes up to 1 hour instruction flight with up to three launches and landings in the two place SuperBlanik.
No money, No problem
You can become a winch operator member and accrue flight time credits towards one of our clubs ships. Our club policy enables winch operators to accrue one hour of flight time for every four hours they spend performing field operations, including winching, shagging, aircraft staging and retrieval. This membership is perfect for individuals with budgetary constraints that own a vehicle and enjoy a surplus of time on their hands. Check out Nialls video below to find out what is involved in operating the winch.
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Newsletter archives
All Weather Covers for the Gob 102's
Thanks to the generosity of our member Sam Z. we now have excellent all weather covers for both our Grob 102's. The covers are double layered providing outstanding protection for our ships.
Also, many thanks are due to our aspiring pilot and volunteer Dan Bruce. He generously helped me rig 147SS and shake out about a Lb and half of seeds and mice debris out of its vertical stabilator. The deer mouse eventually had enough of our shaking and was seen jumping out of the elevator junction.
Our club now boasts two newly minted commercial pilots: Tom W and Roberto F. Once the club signs the lease agreement for the two place Peregrine sailplane, we will be offering scenic rides to the public. Other clubs or pilots can now bring their own ships to our field and we will be delighted to launch them for you.
Thanks to the generosity of our member Sam Z. we now have excellent all weather covers for both our Grob 102's. The covers are double layered providing outstanding protection for our ships.
Also, many thanks are due to our aspiring pilot and volunteer Dan Bruce. He generously helped me rig 147SS and shake out about a Lb and half of seeds and mice debris out of its vertical stabilator. The deer mouse eventually had enough of our shaking and was seen jumping out of the elevator junction.
Our club now boasts two newly minted commercial pilots: Tom W and Roberto F. Once the club signs the lease agreement for the two place Peregrine sailplane, we will be offering scenic rides to the public. Other clubs or pilots can now bring their own ships to our field and we will be delighted to launch them for you.
Our first Grob 102 is in Steamboat Springs
Thanks to Steve Lewis, the clubs Grob102 N147SS is in town and ready to fly. Battling New Mexico's downpours, reverse hypoxia (too much oxygen in the blood due to very low elevation) and sleep deprivation, Steve was able to retrieve single handed 147SS and its trailer from Moriarty. As shown above, we quickly pulled it out of the trailer and set it up in front of Sleeping Giant. This provided the club with plenty of educational opportunities, as we all learned that the wings don't assemble properly unless you release the rotating knuckle locks. We also learned that the set of wing covers that came with it, fit the Grob 102 just like a new pair of gloves.
We discussed a couple high tech mods to the trailer to reduce the workload and potential damage. One such high tech mod involved throwing down a 2x8 in front of the hinged rail ramp, so that the fuselage main wheel has something to rest on when extended. Another high tech mod, involved the judicious placement of a bungee cord between the trailer door and the trailer body. This prevents the wind from swinging the door into the gliders canopy. Thus saving the club thousands of dollars in repair bills. Remember, bungee the trailer door and keep the canopy closed.
The club also learned some important facts about 147SS trailer. The upper front curved sections of it are made of extremely fragile plastic. It cracks real easy and will need some extensive repair. Also, we learned that if the trailer is transported without locking the front hatch, the wind will blow it open and tear it to pieces. Below is a picture of the front hatch undergoing some fiberglass repair.
Overall, the club is quite happy with the trailer. It is spacious, dry and efficient. The one addition to consider is the use of a tail wheel ramp, so that the ship can be rolled in and out, instead of having to heaved it into place.
Roberto , June 2014
Thanks to Steve Lewis, the clubs Grob102 N147SS is in town and ready to fly. Battling New Mexico's downpours, reverse hypoxia (too much oxygen in the blood due to very low elevation) and sleep deprivation, Steve was able to retrieve single handed 147SS and its trailer from Moriarty. As shown above, we quickly pulled it out of the trailer and set it up in front of Sleeping Giant. This provided the club with plenty of educational opportunities, as we all learned that the wings don't assemble properly unless you release the rotating knuckle locks. We also learned that the set of wing covers that came with it, fit the Grob 102 just like a new pair of gloves.
We discussed a couple high tech mods to the trailer to reduce the workload and potential damage. One such high tech mod involved throwing down a 2x8 in front of the hinged rail ramp, so that the fuselage main wheel has something to rest on when extended. Another high tech mod, involved the judicious placement of a bungee cord between the trailer door and the trailer body. This prevents the wind from swinging the door into the gliders canopy. Thus saving the club thousands of dollars in repair bills. Remember, bungee the trailer door and keep the canopy closed.
The club also learned some important facts about 147SS trailer. The upper front curved sections of it are made of extremely fragile plastic. It cracks real easy and will need some extensive repair. Also, we learned that if the trailer is transported without locking the front hatch, the wind will blow it open and tear it to pieces. Below is a picture of the front hatch undergoing some fiberglass repair.
Overall, the club is quite happy with the trailer. It is spacious, dry and efficient. The one addition to consider is the use of a tail wheel ramp, so that the ship can be rolled in and out, instead of having to heaved it into place.
Roberto , June 2014
Upgrades to the winch
The winch has recently been upgraded with a re-built carburetor. In addition we plan on replacing the original tow rope with six-thousand feet of brand new Amsteel blue rope. Bearings on the sheaves and payout rollers have been replaced. Also the roller surfaces have been re-finished. Plans are set to install drum brakes on the winch trailer, both to help stabilize the winch during pulls and to have it comply with Colorado vehicle and transportation laws.
The winch has recently been upgraded with a re-built carburetor. In addition we plan on replacing the original tow rope with six-thousand feet of brand new Amsteel blue rope. Bearings on the sheaves and payout rollers have been replaced. Also the roller surfaces have been re-finished. Plans are set to install drum brakes on the winch trailer, both to help stabilize the winch during pulls and to have it comply with Colorado vehicle and transportation laws.
Soaring from Eagle Soaring Airfield
On June 21 club members put Eagle Soaring Airfield into service, with some launches and a lot of tinkering. We did a lot of short flight reps over the next few days, training members as winch operators, with end of day flights over Mt. Werner and Buffalo Pass. But everyone was thinking about where we always planned to go - cloud base at 18,000 ft. Over the 4th of July holidays club members had our best flights, spending several hours between 12- 18,000 ft MSL.
We are winching from our home Eagle Soaring airfield and loving our progress! Its been a long time coming.
On June 21 club members put Eagle Soaring Airfield into service, with some launches and a lot of tinkering. We did a lot of short flight reps over the next few days, training members as winch operators, with end of day flights over Mt. Werner and Buffalo Pass. But everyone was thinking about where we always planned to go - cloud base at 18,000 ft. Over the 4th of July holidays club members had our best flights, spending several hours between 12- 18,000 ft MSL.
We are winching from our home Eagle Soaring airfield and loving our progress! Its been a long time coming.
SSSA's Grob N143SS
Several SSSA members were recently in Texas as Permian Soaring Association donated their Grob 102's and winch to our club. Thank you PSA!! Craig Freeman of PSA (and builder of the winch) put many hours into a seamless transition. The winch is top notch and now parked in Steamboat Springs. The 2 Grobs are with aviation mechanic Robert Mudd in Moriarty, New Mexico, getting new harnesses, new tow hooks and wing spar upgrades.
SSSA's N147SS spar work being done
Texas Trip, April 5-8, 2014
Newsletter, March 26, 2014
Development of our Steamboat Springs Soaring Association (SSSA) is moving by leaps and bounds. We are optimistic that our club will be flying out of the Yampa Valley this year, in large part due to generous gifts from the Permian Soaring Society based in Midland Texas, and made possible by the recent sale of their club hangar.
SSSA is chapter # 525031 of the Soaring Society of America, a Colorado non-profit corporation, and in November applied for 501.C3 status with the IRS. This allows us legal standing to receive the proceeds and remaining assets of this dissolving Texas Club. The assets transfer will inject our ten member club with significant funds as well as a large winch, three sail-planes : two Grob 102's and a Phoebus B, corresponding trailers in addition to miscellaneous rigging and flying equipment.
We are organizing a convoy of three vehicles to retrieve the assets from Midland Texas between April 5 and April 11th. The trip has a stop in Moriarty to drop off the Grob 102's for maintenance. Since the trucks will be empty on the way down, it would be a great opportunity for anyone in Colorado needing gliders taken to Moriarty for repairs and would help us defray some of our transportation costs. If you or anyone you know has a sailplane or parts in Colorado needing transport to Moriarty, please let us know.
The winch is heavy and we will use a ¾ ton truck to haul it home. If you have a ¾ ton truck we might use for future winch missions around Colorado, that would be greatly appreciated.
After retrieval of the Texas assets, the next significant tasks for SSSA are to arrange adequate storage for the clubs assets and obtain membership training in winching operations. As mentioned on our web site: http://soarsteamboat.org/eagle-soaring-airfield.html our operations will be based out of Ray Selbe's Eagle Soaring Airfield. Thanks Ray!
We are looking for members. Please contact us with guidance, suggestions or questions at: soarsteamboat@gmail.com
Wishing you all a great upcoming soaring season,
Tom, Roberto, Steve and Brian
Steamboat Springs Soaring Association
Development of our Steamboat Springs Soaring Association (SSSA) is moving by leaps and bounds. We are optimistic that our club will be flying out of the Yampa Valley this year, in large part due to generous gifts from the Permian Soaring Society based in Midland Texas, and made possible by the recent sale of their club hangar.
SSSA is chapter # 525031 of the Soaring Society of America, a Colorado non-profit corporation, and in November applied for 501.C3 status with the IRS. This allows us legal standing to receive the proceeds and remaining assets of this dissolving Texas Club. The assets transfer will inject our ten member club with significant funds as well as a large winch, three sail-planes : two Grob 102's and a Phoebus B, corresponding trailers in addition to miscellaneous rigging and flying equipment.
We are organizing a convoy of three vehicles to retrieve the assets from Midland Texas between April 5 and April 11th. The trip has a stop in Moriarty to drop off the Grob 102's for maintenance. Since the trucks will be empty on the way down, it would be a great opportunity for anyone in Colorado needing gliders taken to Moriarty for repairs and would help us defray some of our transportation costs. If you or anyone you know has a sailplane or parts in Colorado needing transport to Moriarty, please let us know.
The winch is heavy and we will use a ¾ ton truck to haul it home. If you have a ¾ ton truck we might use for future winch missions around Colorado, that would be greatly appreciated.
After retrieval of the Texas assets, the next significant tasks for SSSA are to arrange adequate storage for the clubs assets and obtain membership training in winching operations. As mentioned on our web site: http://soarsteamboat.org/eagle-soaring-airfield.html our operations will be based out of Ray Selbe's Eagle Soaring Airfield. Thanks Ray!
We are looking for members. Please contact us with guidance, suggestions or questions at: soarsteamboat@gmail.com
Wishing you all a great upcoming soaring season,
Tom, Roberto, Steve and Brian
Steamboat Springs Soaring Association
