Look Mom, no engine!

[Wayne Paul]

As a child I use to lie on my back and marvel as the hawks soared effortlessly overhead. I dreamed of joining them in the sky. However, my naval aviation career did not allow time or the location stability required to pursue this dream.

When I came to interview for a position at NNC I noticed a two place glider tied down at the Nampa airport. That glider became one of the many positive factors leading to my acceptance of NNC’s job offer.

To date I have owned three gliders. My current glider, a Schreder HP-14, is featured in the following pictures. In the first picture I am climbing on the face of Mt Borah (Idaho’s tallest mountain.) The next was taken in route between Arco, ID and the Craters of the Moon National Monument. In the last picture I am cruising at the highest altitude the FAA will allow without being on an Instrument Flight Plan. (17,900 feet above sea level.)

[Nelson Bradford]

Pictures!!

[Marilyn Lawson]

What a feeling.

I remember that feeling and miss it very much.

If you ever get the chance - post some more pics from the sky.

I always loved going up in the glider with my friends.

[Wayne Paul]

If you ever get the chance - post some more pics from the sky.

Marilyn,

OK, here are a few more pictures.

I’ll start off with the picture of me cruising above the Lost River Mountain Range. (Notice the smoke haze.) Second is some interesting geology a few miles south of Mt Borah. Then there is the little unnamed lake at the base of Borah. The last picture show the source of the smoke in the first picture.

[Ken Pell]

I am in awe.

Thanks for the pics.

[Wayne Paul]

I am in awe.

Thanks for the pics.

Ken, I have my glider equiped with a GPS driven flight recorder. Its' file can be converted into a format viewable in GoogleEarth.

Here is a link to a flight I flew last summer (http://www.soaridaho.com/Flights/GE/Gold_Distance.kmz). (Your computer must have GoogleEarth to view.)

[Marilyn Lawson]

Those are spectacular pics!!!

I didn't fly over mountains but the view was amazing.

Thank you so much!!

[Jim Franklin]

Thank you, Wayne, for backing up my reasons for bragging about Scenic Idaho.

[Wayne Paul]

Thank you, Wayne, for backing up my reasons for bragging about Scenic Idaho.

Jim,

This one is for you. It was taken at the Mackay, Idaho airport in 2006. I sent it to the Soaring Society of America. It is the September picture in their 2008 calendar.

The glider on the left has a 26.4 meter wing span!!

[Jim Franklin]

Thanks, Wayne. It is beautiful and displays that part of our state very well.