(We need a better name for this event.)
Last year we had an unofficial event at Los Banos and it was fantastic. Typically the weather is pretty good at Banos in mid October, it's not smoking hot, and it shouldn't be wet either. Last year Los Banos welcomed us back with epic conditions on Sunday.
What is Los Banos? It is a reservoir just of the I-5 in about the middle of California. It doesn't look like much on a map, but this place can really pack a ton of lift and has huge air space to fly in and huge landing areas. Even better we can fly gas and electrics should the lift not want to play along. Traditionally there has been a number of large scale glider gatherings where they would aero-tow or slope fly depending on what the Reservoir wanted to give them.
This can be a Camp-N-Fly style event as you are allowed to camp at the glider site, but last I confirmed, you had to have a self contained rig, no tents. And you will be locked in at night. Many people take this option, but just a heads up, there is no water or facilities and the wind might shake the camper a bit. On the other side of the Reservoir is a more normal campground. Never been over there, but looks pretty decent.
A fair amount of folks take up residence in one of the hotels in town. It is maybe a 10 minute drive back to the hotels. Lots of choices and some good eats. A fair amount of hotel folks will meet up for meals before and after the flying. Good times.
Basic driving directions:
Coming off 5, take 152 east towards Los Banos, right on Volta, left on pioneer, right on Canyon.
From downtown Los Banos, left on Ortagalita, right on Sunset, left on Canyon. Turn right where it says pay fee. Pay fee. Come back up the hill, turn right, flying site is first gate on the left. Follow until you see the porta potty. park by the potty, remove plane from car, turn plane and radio on, check throws, toss plane off hill.
Map link:
goo.gl
When it comes to flying location, really depends on the lift that day. Don't be afraid to drive around to different faces, sometimes they are all flyable even though they face very different directions. Other times we may be bunched up as the lift is only hitting one direction.
Be warned that this is not a very fun place to recover a model from. Should the lift cut out, I strongly suggest you race to the nearest landing you can get. Don't be the guy that tries to wait for the lift to return, it does not end well at Banos. I have seen the lift go from booming to vacuum with no warning. But a typical day is outstanding.
OK some pics from last year:
The main flight line Saturday. Lots of sky and lots of room.
Some of the guys and cars. Think the ranger said we had about 40 vehicles?
Hope these photos give you an idea of the site and what can be flown there.. Basically everything.
So set the date in you calendar and start polishing up your planes!
More details to follow.
Last year we had an unofficial event at Los Banos and it was fantastic. Typically the weather is pretty good at Banos in mid October, it's not smoking hot, and it shouldn't be wet either. Last year Los Banos welcomed us back with epic conditions on Sunday.
What is Los Banos? It is a reservoir just of the I-5 in about the middle of California. It doesn't look like much on a map, but this place can really pack a ton of lift and has huge air space to fly in and huge landing areas. Even better we can fly gas and electrics should the lift not want to play along. Traditionally there has been a number of large scale glider gatherings where they would aero-tow or slope fly depending on what the Reservoir wanted to give them.
This can be a Camp-N-Fly style event as you are allowed to camp at the glider site, but last I confirmed, you had to have a self contained rig, no tents. And you will be locked in at night. Many people take this option, but just a heads up, there is no water or facilities and the wind might shake the camper a bit. On the other side of the Reservoir is a more normal campground. Never been over there, but looks pretty decent.
A fair amount of folks take up residence in one of the hotels in town. It is maybe a 10 minute drive back to the hotels. Lots of choices and some good eats. A fair amount of hotel folks will meet up for meals before and after the flying. Good times.
Basic driving directions:
Coming off 5, take 152 east towards Los Banos, right on Volta, left on pioneer, right on Canyon.
From downtown Los Banos, left on Ortagalita, right on Sunset, left on Canyon. Turn right where it says pay fee. Pay fee. Come back up the hill, turn right, flying site is first gate on the left. Follow until you see the porta potty. park by the potty, remove plane from car, turn plane and radio on, check throws, toss plane off hill.
Map link:
36°58'57.5"N 120°56'02.6"W
goo.gl
When it comes to flying location, really depends on the lift that day. Don't be afraid to drive around to different faces, sometimes they are all flyable even though they face very different directions. Other times we may be bunched up as the lift is only hitting one direction.
Be warned that this is not a very fun place to recover a model from. Should the lift cut out, I strongly suggest you race to the nearest landing you can get. Don't be the guy that tries to wait for the lift to return, it does not end well at Banos. I have seen the lift go from booming to vacuum with no warning. But a typical day is outstanding.
OK some pics from last year:
The main flight line Saturday. Lots of sky and lots of room.
Some of the guys and cars. Think the ranger said we had about 40 vehicles?
Hope these photos give you an idea of the site and what can be flown there.. Basically everything.
So set the date in you calendar and start polishing up your planes!
More details to follow.
When I stayed last time, in order to be able to stay 'on the hill, I had to make reservations first to the campground first and then tell them at the kiosk I'm staying at the slope..
