Parowan Safari

By George Powell

Six 1-26s and crews from the Warner Springs Skid Row Squadron drove to Parowan, Utah during the last week in June for their first Soaring Safari of the 2003 season. Present were:

Ser.#	Pilots	Crews
024	Garry Dickson	Jim Leary and Brian Dickson
029	George Powell	Greg Sperbeck
042	Doug Levy	Mike and Darla Longwell
050	Lane Decker / Steve Whiting	(Team)
187	Joedy Gregory	Kathleen Gregory
191	Mike Wills	Tom Hively

Each day we were able to log flights above 17K, with some braggards claiming the full monty: 17,999'. Here is a picture of Hawkeye's instrument panel to prove it.

We drove to Utah on Thursday, June 26, and flew north from Parowan on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each day cloud bases were between 17 and 20 K. Two By Four and Hangman took turnpoint pictures as far north as Mount Nebo (150 mi.) By the end of each day, 1-26s were scattered all over central Utah. Landings were made at airports and in farmer's fields at (or near) Nephi, Manti, Salina, Richfield, Junction, and Mt. Carmel. Occasionally, we returned to Parowan. Each day we were able to log flights above 17K, with some braggards claiming the full monty: 17,999'.

View of Delano Peak east of Beaver, Utah

Many Sweepstakes miles were logged, with most flights exceeding 100 miles. Several were over 200 miles.

Parowan is a great soaring site. Guenther Jacobs runs a user-friendly glider operation, and the Utah scenery is unbelievably beautiful. Even if you don't go soaring, Bryce and Zion National Parks are nearby, and the trout fishing is outstanding. I highly recommend it to pilots and crews alike. We had so much fun that we are planning a return safari in August.

Happy Thermals!
Hawkeye

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