About the Event
The Virginia Soaring Association, representing all the soaring clubs in Virginia, recognizes the need for advanced training and development of cross-country soaring skills. The idea to hold a 'camp' was born at the VASA 2016 Winter Summit. The goal is to bring experienced cross-country pilots, contest pilots, and flight instructors together with motivated glider pilots for an immersive experience in cross country soaring.
Location and dates were selected as desirable for beginning cross-country soaring. The airfield, KEMV (Emporia, VA), is located within a 3.5 hours drive or less from seven soaring clubs. When conditions are good, cloud bases are 5,000 to 6,000 ft. Flights of over 300K have been flown in southern Virginia in May. This is a time when local farmers plow fields, and that means strong convection and numerous land-out options. The terrain is friendly and there are several airports nearby. The camp will be conducted in six days over two extended weekends to accommodate those who may not be able to devote a full week of vacation for soaring activities. The first weekend will focus on development of thermaling skills. There will be lectures and discussions along with mentored instruction by experienced instructors in dual place sailplanes. After the flights of the day are completed, flight logs will be the basis for analysis and critique. The second weekend will see more two seat instruction with a focus on cross-country flying. Flying of single seat gliders will be added. Emphasis will be on selection of FAI Badge and OLC type tasks using the many airports in the surrounding area as safety turnpoints. Mentoring through team and lead-follow flying may be used to give more single seat experience. End of day analysis and critiquing of flight logs will allow pilots to review, analyze, and discuss their decisions and accomplishments. See the Camp Schedule below and the Daily Schedule for more details. |
Camp Schedule
Dates |
Events |
Weekend #1 (May 6-8, 2016) Thermal Camp and Ad Hoc Soaring |
Thermal Camp: Mentored Flight Sessions in Dual-Place Sailplanes Limit: 10 Ad Hoc Soaring: Towing of mentored groups takes priority over ad hoc flying Pilots can self-organize but should NOT enter gaggles with the mentored groups Limit: 10 There is limited assembly space on the field |
Weekday Soaring (May 9 - 12, 2016) Ad Hoc Soaring |
Ad Hoc Soaring: Weekday towing will be based on interest, weather, and availability of tow pilots / ops crew Limit: 20 We can be flexible - Let the event coordinators know which days you plan to fly |
Weekend #2 (May 13-15, 2016) XC/OLC Camp and Ad Hoc Soaring |
Beginning XC / OLC Camp: Mentored Task Flying in Dual-Place Sailplanes and Lead / Follow Sessions Limit: 15 10 for mentoring in dual place sailplanes and 5 additional slots for pilots who will participate in lead follow task flying solely in the their own ships Ad Hoc Soaring: Towing of mentored groups takes priority over ad hoc flying. Pilots can self-organize but should NOT engage in lead/follow with the mentored groups Limit: 10 as there is limited assembly space on the field |
Prerequisites
You must be a certificated glider pilot. We are not accepting student pilots.
You will need to supply your Pilot's Certificate (copy of both sides) and proof of your SSA membership (copy of membership card).
For participation in Weekend #2, if you are flying your own ship in lead and follow task flying, then you must have earned at least an SSA Bronze Badge prior to attending the camp. If you don't have an SSA Bronze Badge, you will need to fly in a dual-place sailplane with a mentor.
If you are planning to bring your own glider, please make sure all required glider documentation is current and in the glider. You will need proof of aircraft insurance. Bring a copy of main policy page, showing coverage and dates. Your ship should have a good radio, a data logger, and a strong battery (power for 5 hours).
Use of parachutes is not mandatory. If you bring one, though, ensure that it has a current repack.
A Word About Safety:
Participants will be expected to help each other stay safe in the air and on the ground. They are also expected to help the ops crew run a safe and efficient operation. There will be a mandatory safety brief on every day of the event.
You will need to supply your Pilot's Certificate (copy of both sides) and proof of your SSA membership (copy of membership card).
For participation in Weekend #2, if you are flying your own ship in lead and follow task flying, then you must have earned at least an SSA Bronze Badge prior to attending the camp. If you don't have an SSA Bronze Badge, you will need to fly in a dual-place sailplane with a mentor.
If you are planning to bring your own glider, please make sure all required glider documentation is current and in the glider. You will need proof of aircraft insurance. Bring a copy of main policy page, showing coverage and dates. Your ship should have a good radio, a data logger, and a strong battery (power for 5 hours).
Use of parachutes is not mandatory. If you bring one, though, ensure that it has a current repack.
A Word About Safety:
Participants will be expected to help each other stay safe in the air and on the ground. They are also expected to help the ops crew run a safe and efficient operation. There will be a mandatory safety brief on every day of the event.
Costs
Camp Participants
We want to encourage committed participation. The cost to participate in the camp which includes lectures and mentoring sessions is $200 per weekend. This cost includes your membership in the sponsoring clubs (required), lectures and ground instruction from experienced mentors, two (2) mentored flight sessions in a dual place sailplane or two (2) tows, and catered dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings. Additional tows (more than 2 in one weekend) for mentored flight sessions (dual) or for lead/follow task flights (re-light or additional flying) will be at the established rate of $50/tow (limit 3,000 ft).
Ad Hoc Soaring
You must register to participate. We will not accommodate 'walk-ups'. Cost to participate in ad hoc flying is a one time fee of $50. This includes your membership in the sponsoring clubs which is required and is not subject to negotiation. All tows of private ships registered for ad hoc flying will be at the established rate of $50/tow (limit 3,000 ft).
We want to encourage committed participation. The cost to participate in the camp which includes lectures and mentoring sessions is $200 per weekend. This cost includes your membership in the sponsoring clubs (required), lectures and ground instruction from experienced mentors, two (2) mentored flight sessions in a dual place sailplane or two (2) tows, and catered dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings. Additional tows (more than 2 in one weekend) for mentored flight sessions (dual) or for lead/follow task flights (re-light or additional flying) will be at the established rate of $50/tow (limit 3,000 ft).
Ad Hoc Soaring
You must register to participate. We will not accommodate 'walk-ups'. Cost to participate in ad hoc flying is a one time fee of $50. This includes your membership in the sponsoring clubs which is required and is not subject to negotiation. All tows of private ships registered for ad hoc flying will be at the established rate of $50/tow (limit 3,000 ft).
Location
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The City of Emporia (pop. 5,700) is the southern gateway to Virginia. Just 8 miles from the North Carolina line, it is the first municipality on I-95 heading into Virginia.
KEMV
Emporia - Greensville Regional Airport (KEMV)
139 Airport Dr. Emporia, VA 23847 The Emporia airport is well suited for glider operations because of its 5000 X 100 ft asphalt runway paralleled by a taxi strip and grassy areas suitable for readying sailplanes for takeoff and receiving them after landing. The entire airport is spacious with ample room for parking of trailers and for glider assembly. |
Sailplanes & Tows
Modern sailplanes will be available for mentored flight sessions:
During the second weekend (May 13-15, 2016) participants may choose to fly their own sailplanes for lead/follow task flights. Tows will be provided by Merlin Soaring Association using a Cessna 150/180 and Tidewater Soaring Society using a Bellanca 7GCAA Citabria (150 HP). The tow fee for ad hoc soaring will be $50/tow for any release altitude up to 3,000 ft AGL. |
Retrieves
In the unlikely event that you find yourself in a farmer's field, we WILL come get you, whether or not you have a formal crew. Of course, it is your responsibility to have a charged cellphone with coverage (Verizon seems to have good coverage throughout our area), and to know our retrieve phone number. It will also be your responsibility to have your crew car and trailer in order.
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Lectures & Group Discussions
Each day of the camp, some of the best pilots in SSA Region 4 will deliver lectures on a variety of topics including cross-country decision making, soaring weather, earning your badges, navigation, medical factors, and safety. These lectures and discussions, as well as daily weather and task briefings, will be held in the climate controlled conference room onsite at the KEMV terminal building.
Meals
Because of the aggressive lecture/activities schedule, there will be little or no time to go into town for meals. Both lunch and dinner time lectures and group discussions are planned.
Participants are expected to bring lunches and snacks with them to the airport. Refrigerators and ice chests will be available on site for storing food and drinks. We plan to have catered dinners available at the airport conference room every evening, but do not expect gourmet meals. If you have special dietary restrictions, let the coordinators know well in advance.
ALL pilots are expected to bring water and snacks in appropriate containers for in-flight use. It is important to stay hydrated and alert during all flight activities.
Participants are expected to bring lunches and snacks with them to the airport. Refrigerators and ice chests will be available on site for storing food and drinks. We plan to have catered dinners available at the airport conference room every evening, but do not expect gourmet meals. If you have special dietary restrictions, let the coordinators know well in advance.
ALL pilots are expected to bring water and snacks in appropriate containers for in-flight use. It is important to stay hydrated and alert during all flight activities.
Camping / Lodging
There are several national hotel chains located within a 10 minute drive of the airport, including:
Lodging is your responsibility. Reserve a room well in advance!
For those with RVs, there will be limited space to park on site at the airport. Electrical hookups will not be available. Please notify the event coordinators if you are planning to park you RV at KEMV. The facilities at KEMV are not suitable for tent or truck camping.
A family campground with tent sites and with sites having RV electricity, water, and sewer hookups is located within a 30 minute drive of the airport:
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park
2940 Sussex Drive
Emporia, VA 23847
Lodging is your responsibility. Reserve a room well in advance!
For those with RVs, there will be limited space to park on site at the airport. Electrical hookups will not be available. Please notify the event coordinators if you are planning to park you RV at KEMV. The facilities at KEMV are not suitable for tent or truck camping.
A family campground with tent sites and with sites having RV electricity, water, and sewer hookups is located within a 30 minute drive of the airport:
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park
2940 Sussex Drive
Emporia, VA 23847
Trailer Parking
We plan to have surveyor flags up at preferred parking spots on grassy areas around the airport, and we also hope to have guides available at the terminal building on Friday morning of both weekends. You are expected to have proper tie-downs to secure your trailer!!
Detailed maps, diagrams, directions, and instructions will be provided to participants prior to the event.
Detailed maps, diagrams, directions, and instructions will be provided to participants prior to the event.
Turnpoint Database
Here are links to turnpoint files in SeeYou and CAI formats:
garner06.dat garner06.cup Here are new files with coordinates added to support Weekend #2: garner16.cup garner16.dat This file contains local area tasks: emporia.cup |