First-time Soaring experience at Torrey Pines
Randall Plate
r-p18@juno.com
Randall Plate, an AMA member for 10 years, had the experience of a lifetime when he was finally able to visit Torrey Pines Glider Port in La Jolla, California. He wrote:
“The photo is of me flying a Ka-8 at Torrey Pines Glider Port in La Jolla, California, with Ian Cummings of the Torrey Pines Gulls flying club. My girlfriend, Brittney, and I had gone one afternoon to just observe both the full-scale and RC gliders, but after introducing myself, striking up a conversation, and finding out that I knew how to fly RC planes, Ian offered to put me on a buddy box and gave me my first opportunity to try Slope Soaring with his glider.
“I learned to fly RC planes during my senior year at Cedarville University in [Cedarville] Ohio from my music professor and string quartet coach, Dr. Curlette. I had never flown before, so he took me out to the flying field on Friday afternoons after classes were done for the week and taught me the basics and then some aerobatic maneuvers.
“He gave me my first plane, a Sig Four-Star 40, when I graduated to ensure that I would continue flying after I left. It worked.
“I picked up an electric T-28 Trojan when I moved on to grad school at the University of Minnesota, which I could fly at a smaller park nearby. I also expanded my collection with a PBY Catalina that was a birthday present from my parents when they purchased a lake-front cabin in Augusta, Maine. I saw the lake as a perfect flying site for a seaplane.
“I moved to San Diego for work in 2009 after graduating with my master’s in electrical engineering. Dr. Curlette, with whom I kept in touch, mentioned to me that Slope Soaring is popular out here [because of] the ideal conditions on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and recommended that I check it out.
“Other hobbies and life events took priority over flying, but eventually I did make it to the Glider Port (seven years later) to watch the Slope Soaring. [I] was thrilled to unexpectedly get a chance to try it!
“Ian was kind enough to follow up with a listing on the RCGroups forum of someone [who was] clearing out some old planes and offered me a Windfree that was, fittingly, free. I now have my own glider. I am currently in the process of adding some missing radio gear and eagerly anticipate taking it out to fly soon.
“I am grateful for the friendly and sharing spirit of others in this hobby [who] have helped me get started, keep up with it, and branch out to new facets of flying.”
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