August 22: A good time was had by all. The crew at SKSS put on three fantastic days of soaring, a huge Saturday night BBQ and crab feast, and… one rainy Sunday. We’ll take it!
In addition to great soaring conditions in the core of each day, a number of sponsors turned out to offer products for the pilot’s raffle while a local full scale soaring club displayed two sleek sailplanes for the crowd to inspect, photograph and at least get some “seat” time. In addition to club tow planes, a number of pilots from PA, MD, CT and WV also did turns towing making for literally on-demand tows.
You’ll want to mark your calendar for the third weekend of August 2012 and keep an eye out here on RCAeroTowing.com for more information on next year’s event.
Check out the picture thread at RCAeroTowing.com Forums: http://www.rcaerotowing.com/forum/showthread.php?482-SKSS-Aerotow-Official-update-thread!&p=3555#post3555
A sample of the flying action over at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqmgtSHjsxo
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The premier annual RC scale aerotow weekend on the eastern seaboard of the United States has been scheduled for August 18-21, 2011.
Yes, four full days of soaring! Hosted by the Silent Knights Soaring Society (SKSS), this has become a must-attend event. The organizers feature a mix of powerful electric tow planes and fuel tow planes at the event. Together these tugs are able to get any sailplane from two meters to ten happily airborne. Best of all, waiting lines for a tow range from short to none at all.
In 2010, there was even a full scale sailplane delivered to the field, assembled and then left static for all to look over. 2011 promises to have additional surprises, a new scale plane to ogle, perhaps a flyover and other new features that the event directors are holding close to the vest. Three words — Fly High Girls on Saturday. You’ll just have to be there to see.
SKSS controls one of the nicest dedicated RC soaring sites in the country. With two manicured runways positioned to take advantage of any wind direction, the overall site is impressive in size and surrounded by a mix of wooded areas and open fields. The result is a clear set of lift patterns based upon wind direction. And, booming lift! The photo below shows the two main runways and the colors essentially indicate grass length — the runways are close cropped so never a worry about snagging a wingtip on tow, the next layer is taller like a residential lawn left for a week without mowing, finally the “rough” beyond is about a foot tall, but gentle on sailplanes that are landing out.
You thought we were kidding when set said this site is nice? It's not nice. It's incredible!
Beyond the physical beauty of the site nestled in the center of White Clay Creek State Park, SKSS has dedicated facilities known as the “birdhouse” with electricity for charging, workbenches, garage space, etc. Best of all, it’s air conditioned! There is even a porch glider out front for those who just want to sit and watch the action.
The club goes a step further by renting a large circus tent each year to provide ample shade at the center of the flight line. That tent is converted on Saturday night into a dining hall for the annual blue crab feast! Food, hot blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay, more food and a few beers snuck in for good measure. After a long day (or days) of flying it’s great to kick back with the crowd and enjoy good conversation and food. After dinner, the electric sailplanes and zippy toys come out while the tug pilots might even be coaxed into giving a few twilight tows. Seriously, we apologize for blowing your mind.
There is typically so much lift, don't be surprised if you get into a heated discussion with the tow pilot about which thermal to head toward
Registration for the event and hotel information is available here on RCAeroTowing.com by following this link: http://www.rcaerotowing.com/event-details-registration.php?id=60
Life is busy, weekends are filled with things to do, but missing the 2011 SKSS Aerotow is just one of those things that would be a big mistake. Don’t be saddled with guilt and regret — get to SKSS! We hope to see lots of folks in Newark, Delaware in August!
Finding the SKSS flying field…
We are in Newark, Delaware at the intersection of Paper Mill Road (Route 72) and Smith Mill Road in White Clay Creek State Park. Our coordinates are 39 deg 43′ 40.61″ N, 75 deg 43′ 59.00″ W.
From the Delaware Turnpike aka I-95 (either direction):
Turn West on Route 273 (Exit 3)
Take the “Red Mill Road”exit, and go North on Red Mill
Cross Route 2 (Kirkwood Hwy) – You are now on Polly Drummond
Go to top of hill
Turn left on Fox Den (opposite Polly Drummond Shopping Center)
Turn right on Paper Mill Road
Next left (about 1000 ft) is entrance road to White Clay Creek State Park
Our gate is opposite the second driveway to the Farm House
Ample parking for sailplane transport trailers and set-up area for shade tents, etc.
To learn more about the history of the event, visit the SKSS blog: http://www.skss.org/wordpress/tag/aerotow/
Steve Pasierb
