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| Volume 3, Issue 6 |
July, 2004 |
Each year women from all over the world meet for a few days of soaring during the annual Women Soaring Pilots Association's seminar. Since 1985, when the WSPA was founded, they have met in many different locations. Sugarbush, Texas Soaring, Hemmet, CA, Black Forest in Colorado, Caesar Creek in Ohio, Mid-Atlantic Soaring in Frederick, MD, Hobbs, and Albuquerque Soaring in Moriarity, NM, are among them. This year's was held at Harris Hill near Elmira, NY. The women who attend get to fly at new locations, fly different aircraft, and experience the varying operations and conditions across the country. There are also daily sessions with topics pertinent to soaring presented by local gurus as well as by some of the women pilots. Scholarships are offered by the organization to encourage women to improve their soaring skills or to attend the seminar. This year, there were two Duo-Discuses available to fly as well as 2-33's, ASK-21's and a 1-26. Some women bring their own ships. Cheryl Beckage and Marty Hudson both took advantage of the opportunity to fly in the Duos. One was owned by the Harris Hill club and co-piloted by Tim Wells and Roy McMasters. The other was brought to the seminar and flown by none other than Karl Striedeck of the "Fine Week of Soaring" video (as well as World Team fame). Cheryl and Marty took the opportunity to visit the National Soaring Museum and to hear Virginia Schweizer speak. Some visited the M and H shop near the field on a rain day. Others chose to tour nearby Corning, NY and the very impressive Corning Museum of Glass. We also heard Karl Striedeck give his presentation on falconry. For most of us, the best part of the seminar is the chance to meet other women soaring pilots. Most soaring operations are similar to CISS in that there are few women members. We offer support, share "battle stories" and are able to talk with other women who don't consider us "weird" for being interested in soaring. Pages: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 BACK ISSUES | ||
