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Slope at West Rock Park in West Haven Connecticut

Bill sent in another Connecticut slope. This one in West Haven.

I have another one that is unbelievable, and I am quite suprised that I seem to have “discovered” it. It is at West Rock in West Haven CT. West Rock is a delapidated park that nobody goes to. Most people go to East Rock to gawk at the city below. West Rock is a southwest facing cliff, over looking West Haven with a large open parking lot that has suprisingly smooth air to land. I had a combination of nice slope air and old fashioned lift from the city below, specked out easily. The cliff face has to be about 2 to 300 feet high, with little obstruction from trees. The day I flew I was able to drive my car right up to the top, but I hear that the park is suppose to be closed and cars are usually parked at the bottom when the gate is closed. I will look into that.

Looking at West Rock Park from the bottom
Launch area
The parking lot at the top

 

Slope Site Near Mohave Valley, Arizona

Tom Chant sent us this story about a slope soaring site near Mohave Valley, Arizona.

I live just south of Laughlin, Nevada in the fast growing area called Mohave Valley, AZ. we are about 115 miles southeast of Las Vegas, NV.

Since moving here in 2002 I have found many slope sites as the wind only blows twice a year in this area, 6 months from the north and 6 months from the south.

This spring I was at an inter-club fun fly at Kingman, AZ. We stopped flying the gassers for lunch and the Kingman group fed us burgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings and comforts of home. While sitting at lunch I happened to try to explain the fun of slope flying to some of my gasser buddies. They were somewhat interested and one of the wives spoke up and said that she had just the spot for that kind of thing!!! Well, I listened and she gave very precise directions to a Department of the Interior US Forest campground that had recently had a fine road built to give better public access.

I found the location that afternoon and it is spectacular!! to say the least, the hill is at 6700 ft. above sea level so it gives a cool spot for summer flying.

Stop it! How do you get there! Well first you have to dream, then you have to pray, and then be willing.

Take Hwy 93 north from Golden Valley of Kingman toward the Hoover Dam and Vegas, go past the turnoff to the town of Chloride about 1.5 miles to Big Wash Road, turn right 11 miles to Windy Point Recreation Area, the road continues onto Cherum peak. The road near the Windy Point has been great with the southwest wind of spring and summer and the campground is great with a north wind.

I am always available to fly. If you are in Vegas or on the river at Laughlin give me, Tom Chant, a call and put this location on the site locator.
Home 928-788-0335
Cell 928-542-5167

If you are in Vegas and are headed here take Boulder Hwy to Hoover Dam, cross the dam go about 70 miles to Big Wash Rd. turn left go 11 miles on the dirt road, the dirt road is well maintained and any two wheel drive car can make it without any problems.

One thing I missed is the campground has restrooms fire rings picnic tables area for tent camping and RV s have fun and call me if you come up.

I remember this story that the guy that sold me my home, he said that I was going to have all my toys and no one to play with, well I am having too much fun to worry about you guys but come, hang out, have fun and fly a great site in northwest AZ.

Kansas F3F – July 2005

We had a good day of racing in central Kansas on Saturday. 10 rounds of action at two different slopes made up the competition.

We started the day with a southwest wind and raced 4 rounds of thermal lottery at the German Caves. The Caves are a 200 plus foot limestone bluff facing southwest. Jeff had good air and a good plane in his Image for the light, thermally conditions and set the early pace. If the competition had ended there he’d have been the king.

Erik’s Banana at the Caves.


Merrel rounding Base B at the Caves.

About 2PM the wind had shifted enough southeast to go the main slope at Wilson Lake, site of the Midwest Slope Challenge, and resume the competition. We flew an additional 6 rounds there and for the final standings combined both venues into a single score. 10 rounds with one throw out. At the end of the day Greg narrowly edged out Jack with Mike third.

Kudos to Jack who was really competitive with a 60-inch MiniBlade. He was consistently flying the shortest course possible and wringing that little plane for all it was worth and if that weren’t enough for the MiniBlade, he proceeded to wrap it up fast in the DS groove at the dam after the event.

Merrel and Mike both broke into the 50’s with Mike having a fastest round.

Pat and Randy traded off with Randy’s Nemesis after Pat’s Tragi suffered a cracked tail boom while Pat also used his ODR Fun-1 for some good times.

Erik and Chance flew fast but a bit long on the course. With some practice they will be in the hunt.

All Jeff needs to be very competitive is a more capable plane. The Image shined in the light air but suffered when the wind at the lake came up and was crossing the slope at up to 30 degrees.

Me missed Mr.Clean at the Lake slope but he will be back for the next one!

In 10 rounds there were 5 guys who had fasted time for the round. Everyone had a blast and this was the largest turnout we’ve had for an F3F in Kansas with 12 registered and 10 actually racing. Several guys experienced their first event and showed marked improvement over the day. Here’s hoping for more participation in the future.

We are going to try to get in more racing on Sunday. We’ll see how it goes.

Scoring Results For: Kansas July F3f

10 Rounds Flown
1 Throw Out Allowed

Fastest Time: Greg Smith – 55.36

Overall Pilot Name Total
Rank Points
==============================================

1 Greg Smith 8518.74
2 Jack Cooper 8501.75
3 Mike Bailey 8242.41
4 Pat McCleave 7955.51
5 Jeff B 7914.71
6 Merrel Anderson 7830.27
7 Randy McCleave 7757.26
8 Erik Eaton 7530.07
9 Chance Cooper 6700.38
10 Bill Crane 3141.91 (4 rounds)

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