May, 2004

Regional News: South Okanagan Soaring Assoc.
By Pete Ehlers, V.P. South Okanagan Soaring Association

The South Okanagan has always been a difficult area to maintain flying sites, due to landowner and access issues, and pilots here are now faced with our biggest challenge to date. There has been a proposal to establish a National Park in the South Okanagan, and the study area for this proposed park encompasses virtually every site we have left, as well as closed sites we had hoped to reopen. Sites threatened by this proposed park include Kobau, Cawston, Ripley, Anarchist, Wolf Creek, Parker Mtn, and even Covert Ridge, as they are all contained within Parks Canada's study area. In reality, it is apparent that what Parks Canada really wants is the Kobau range from the US border up through White Lake, which would shut down flying at Kobau, Cawston, Ripley, and Parker Mtn.

Our small group of local pilots have been working in opposition to the establishment of this National Park, joining and attending the meetings of a coalition of user groups who are trying to put the word out about what people stand to lose, as well as attending the one public meeting there has been with a Parks Canada representative present. This proposed park seems to be quite a political thing and much has happened behind the scenes that the public has not been made aware of, and there has been no public input to date. It has been difficult to get much information, but we will let pilots know what they can do to help in the near future.

With that said, flying activities are continuing in the South Okanagan.

Anarchist remains open, though there is no designated LZ at present. The old LZ is being developed into a golf course. We ask visiting pilots to please not land there, it has happened once already this season with a PG pilot landing on a freshly seeded green. This unfortunate incident was seen by the native landowners/developers and may undermine our efforts to have them allow pilots to land in the area. The best option for landing at present is the beaches on Osoyoos Lake, as the water is low and the beaches aren't full of people yet. Our preferences would be for pilots to go XC if they can.

Kobau upper launches are open but not yet vehicle accessible due to snow (other than the hike in launches, the upper parking lot is accessible but no further). Kobau lower launch is accessible and open but there are new No Trespassing signs in the corral LZ so go XC if possible.

Cawston remains closed to the public, though limited flying is possible there. Do NOT fly there without a local present as a guide. This is VERY serious, local guided XC's only, as well only advanced or high airtime intermediate pilots.

Ripley is open to any pilot who wishes to fly there, no changes to report. This is a great site for
novices.

Covert Ridge is open, top landings preferred but beware of severe mechanical turbulence in soarable conditions.

There have been reports of a new site pioneered near Hedley but it is unclear if this is the old site just off the Nickelplate mine road, which is not flown much. Pilots wanting to fly that site are on their
own, no established LZ and usually extremely strong afternoon winds in the area.

Local pilots are planning to continue exploring the highway 33, Rock Creek to Beaverdell/Carmi valley, where some potential sites have been flown but no sites have yet been established. There is a
possibility of a fly-in occurring this summer in theChristian Valley, in conjunction with a RC fly-in.
Word is the landowner who holds the RC fly-in is very interested in having HG/PG pilots come out and fly there, with a possibly suitable launch nearby.

The South Okanagan Soaring Association would like to welcome HG pilots Richard Terry and Don Hill back, both have not flown in several years but are getting back into it. Unfortunately, Don bought himself a glider, flew a few times, then promptly moved to Saskatchewan for family reasons, but we think he won't last out there and will be back. As well, with great reluctance we say goodbye to HG pilot Keith McKinnon, who has left the sport. Keith is a very good pilot and friend, and his energy, exuberance, wit, and great attitude he showed for the past 11 years will be missed. Hopefully he'll drive for us on occasion, and personally I will always have a harness beer or two for him, just in case...

Pete Ehlers, V.P. South Okanagan Soaring Association