soga-2015

The Skydog Report

Thursday October 8, the forecast looked good so up to SOGA field I went and all I got was 24 and 23 minutes. Willie, Les, Dan and I struggled to stay in turbulent lift and the big sink got us in the end. Les had the longest flight, 30 minutes late in the day. Tim and Rick dropped in late in the day just to say hi. Steve did his best to get us into the lift but it was drifting a little to fast for us.

I Am Sneaking Up On Willie

The Gliders - Dan Comes Later

Willie Landing

Steve and Les Had a Good Day

The Skydog Report

Tuesday September 22, the forecast looked good so up to SOGA field I went and all I got was 25 and 19 minutes searching for thermals in a blue sky. It never really turned on. So far I can't remember the details of the day so you will need to use your imagination for now.

The Skydog Report

Tuesday September 15, the forecast looked good so up to SOGA field I went alone and James DeHart was to be our tow pilot today as Steve Younger had dreams of flying the cliffs on Lake Erie with Ken Kinzie. When I showed up Tim and Rick were there and Tim was already set up so I had enthusiasm that it would be a good day although the sky was clear blue. The wind was from the southwest and blowing near ten mph which is directly across the main runway. At 1 pm I was on the cart and Tim and Steve ran the cart to keep it straight and I had a good cross wind take off. At about 700 feet we hit major turbulence and then again around 1,500 feet more rough stuff but I worked though it and from there on up it was way to smooth so I expected no lift. Sure enough from a way up high nothing but smooth air with not a beep so a few wingees were in order. When I finally got down to 1,000 feet ato I was over a field that was being worked and an little beeping went on there but the wind speed prevented me from sticking with it so I guided my way down onto the sw runway and had a smooth landing. My flight time was 31 minutes. After seeing my attempt Tim and Rick Decided not to fly. Hoping for better luck next time.

Zebras Three Miles From SOGA Field

Tim DeChamps

James DeHart - Tug Pilot

Rick Hines

Dan Piche

The Skydog Report

Friday August 28 and Tuesday September 1st Patrick O'Donnell and I flew at SOGA field and on Friday I had one flight of 2 hours and 13 minutes and on Tuesday I had two flights one of 1 hour and 41 minutes and a second of 28 minutes. I topped out at 3,484 feet. Patrick got highest on Tuesday at 3,487 feet ato with a flight of one hour and fifteen minutes. Friday had nice cummies while Tuesday was a blue sky day. On Friday there were ten of us and Steve put us into some great thermals. On Tuesday only four pilots came out to play and it was a harder day to stay up but we all had a good time.

Photos Below

Patrick O'Donnell - Lets Fly

Patrick On Approach

Willie, Ken, Steve, Patrick, Armand, Kevin, Troy, Andrea, Andrew, Bob

Andrea and Andrew

Shawn

Patrick Takes Off and Steve Tows

Skydog

Andrea and Andrew

Patrick With Gliders Below

Patrick Landing

The Skydog Report

Friday July 24, 2014 the forecast looked great so away I went and arrived at SOGA Field around 11:30 am. The sky looked ok but some high clouds were shading the area. Rod Reiger took off first and stuck while we watched. Kenny and I had similar flights with mine being 40 minutes and Kenny 45 minutes and we only got up to 3,200 feet. Our landings were unacceptable in the wheat fields. Rod went XC for 23 miles and Les Tapol also flew. Dan Piche elected not to fly and helped me carry my glide back from the wheat field. Kenny gained a concussion drifting into the wheat next to the runway. Kenny had my GoPro onboard so we have some good video coming soon.

July 24, 2015 Video

Photos Below

Marta Tapol

Marta and Dad Les Tapol

Steve Younger

Rod Reiger Takes Off First

Dan Piche

Les Rolling Out - Dan Runs

After Rod Reiger is Airborne We Just Can't Decide If It Is Good Enough

Les's Glider

Steve Tugs

Bob Helps Kenny Take Off

Steve Younger

Les Sets Up

Kenny Takes Off

Steve

Steve checks Out The Dragonfly

Kenny Sets Up and Bob Installs a GoPro

Les Takes Off

Is it Les

Bob Takes Off

Bob

Les

The Skydog Report

Thursday July 2, 2014 and Patrick O'Donnell has a week off from his work so we head up to the SOGA field near Orangeville, Ontario and Patrick will camp out for a few days. Thursday turns out to be a great day and Patrick wins the day with a one hour and forty seven minute flight and up to 4,700 feet. We both had twenty minute flights first and then we went again with Patrick leading the way. Patrick was on top for all but two minutes and the highest that I got was 4,300 feet. Patrick was specking out the whole flight on his Sport 2. There were eight pilots and most had one hour flights. Lee Silver went XC on is new U-2. Willie came in late and had a great flight. My airtime was 23 minutes and 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Pilots Thursday were - Patrick O'Donnell, Skydog Bob, Mark Sanderson, Pete Wall, Willie Van Caulart, Lee Silver, Troy Whitmore and of coarse our wonderful tug pilot Steve Younger. Thanks Steve!!

Friday and I am at Cloud 9 Michigan for the July 4th weekend so check it out.

Video Here

Photos Below