Possible new Camp-N-Fly event at Los Banos

[Wayne]

We have been asked by several folks to see if we can get another event on the calendar out at Los Banos. This thread is for discussion and orgnization of such an event.

First off I'm not locked into it being at Los Banos, if there is another site we should consider, please speak up.

A bit about Los Banos, the good stuff:
Can have BIG Air.
Lift extends far out and a bit of everywhere.
Can fly power planes if the lift is no good.
Large area that can have a LOT of pilots in the air at the sametime.
Told we can camp right at the flying slope, but need to confirm.
Could probably have a MOM race off to one side, and non-racers will still be able to fly.
Been used for Aerotow in the past. (I have no experience with this..)
We should be able to use a winch also.
Landing is very easy.
Camping, hotels and restaurants in the area.

The bad stuff:
Can get HOT.
There is no shade or structures or trees.
Landing down slope is not good. It can be difficult or impossible to recover a plane.
May want to have someone with a boat, or make friends with a boater should a glider hit the water.
Lift can cut off very quickly, if it does LAND without delay.
Higher risk of having no lift compared to Sunset.
Not really a good site for combat due to the issues with plane recovery.

I'm not sure of wind patterns during the year, but think we SHOULD target a colder month for the event. thinking we do like Sunset and target a Friday-Sunday sort of time table.

 

[Diceman]

There are not too many places that can hold this size of an event in Norcal, most of the other sites are non camping areas.
The only other place I can think of is Goat Rock area near the Russian river, but this would add another 3-4 hours of drive time for the SoCal group.

 

[Red]

Sweet. I’m all for it. I’d love to do some MOM racing!

Red

 

[Steve C]

Me too!

 

[Doc James Hammond]

Yes yes yes,

Doc.

 

[Lee B]

I don't know the area. But, would definitely be interested in going to an event there.

 

[Doc James Hammond]

I don't know the area. But, would definitely be interested in going to an event there.

Autumn this year?

Doc.

 

[Lee B]

Autumn this year?

Doc.

Yes, I would be up for that.

 

[Wayne]

Tom (Trisme) from So Cal is a long time Banos fan and he shares this:

We used to attend the scale aerotow in the spring, and felt we needed another trip later in the year as well. We started going on the third weekend of October for a couple of years. We never got skunked, but the Spring was usually better.

I'm liking the October time frame as there are already a lot of events and holidays in the spring that could cause a lot of conflicts for folks.

I can think of a few other possible spots we could do a Camp-N-Fly, but most have limitations on group size, are much further away, and or have less lift.

I like that Banos offers a very different experience than Sunset . Seems you all agree.

Sunset is AMAZING, and looking forward to Banos Camp-N-Fly being amazing also.

 

[Doc James Hammond]

Hey Guys:

Covid has devastated a lot of people's plans one way or another in the last couple of years, but even before that, I think its safe to say that the once super strong USA slope scene has been fading. Even the ISR, once THE premier slope racing event on the planet has fallen into decline.

It would be a great to have another event with free fun flying, maybe even a real MOM race AND a place where you could see, handle, and even try those things, gadgets, parts, even model yearnings that you have been trying to hide from the 'missus for a while. Of course there is the "Apres Fly" - sitting around, having a good time scoffing a few burgers etc, Catching up, making new friends and telling a few lies - which most people love just as much as the flying bit.

Though I have never been, I can see just by a little internet research that Los Banos is HUGE. I'm sure you could hold several 'events' there simultaneously (or even at the same time) and if the walking distance from the campsite or car park could be short for old pharts like me, then WOW!

It would be nice to have the two events as the real "must go to's" - especially as if by some unlucky circimstance you mssed one - there is always the other to shoot for. But would'nt it be nice to have BOTH.

To show my support, I'm going to be talking to Wayne to see how - if it can be made to happen - my little outfit, Aeroic could get involved and try to make this possibility a reality. We don't have the great Aloft army to deploy, and we are a heck of a long way away, but I'm sure some interesting collaboration could result.

All those in favour say I (say I)

Cheers,

Doc.

 

[Diceman]

Banos is definitely the spot for a big event for sure. It would be fantastic if we could get all different vendors to come out with there latests and greatest gear, but only if this becomes a huge event getting huge attention.
I am down to help for sure. I will definitely help out. Let me know whoever picks the dates and sets it up.

 

[jure]

definitely in favor of an event at LB. I am running out of excuses for not having been there (grin)

 

[Wayne]

All sounds good to me.

@Diceman - Did you have a contact person at Los Banos? The next step will be seeing what they allow and what they require.

 

[gp49]

All sounds good to me.

@Diceman - Did you have a contact person at Los Banos? The next step will be seeing what they allow and what they require.

@Wayne someone at SBSS must know who to contact at Banos, since they were the ones running the aero tow. Maybe @SailHigh knows who that person is at SBSS.

How about asking them (SBSS) if they are interested in bringing a couple of tow planes just in-case as well ?

 

[Wayne]

Heck yeah! Happy to team up with them any way they like. I'd love to see this cover as many different aspects of gliders as possible. I do think this site can accommodate a lot of different aspects of the glider hobbies.

 

[gp49]

Here is a short vid from @SailHigh tossing a little glider out for Rick. Maybe that will wet more appetites.

Here is the landing zone:

 

[Diceman]

All sounds good to me.

@Diceman - Did you have a contact person at Los Banos? The next step will be seeing what they allow and what they require.

Nope. I do not. Whoever wants to start the event/gathering, I assume would just call Banos Reservoir and find out prices, dates, etc. I am not looking to run another event, I want to be able to enjoy the time and relax on this one. LOL. Once a year is plenty for me.
Wayne, maybe you should make it the Aloft Hobbies fun fly!

 

[RafaelAvila]

im in!

 

[Wayne]

Yep - will start making the phone calls, etc. Been reaching out to folks that have attended Banos in the past to pick their brains.

 

[2MUCH2DO]

It may be easier to make it too than sunset.