Monthly SGC GM Meeting for  April, 2026.

Agenda: Trailer lottery, opening weekend news, Region 8 club happenings...

Use this link to join:

Click this link to join the meeting

Reminder: we have switched from Zoom to MS Teams for our meetings. If you have never used MS Teams, here is a detailed list of steps on how to join using any web-browser on a Mac or PC:

1. Click the link above, and a new webpage will open up.
2. If MS Teams is installed on your computer, you may see a pop-up saying "This site is trying to open Microsoft Teams". If you do not use MS Teams regularly, click the "Cancel" button!
3. The website should say "How do you want to join your Teams Meeting?" - choose the option that says "Continue on this Browser"
4. Your web-browser may prompt you to allow use of the Camera and Microphone. Click "Allow"
5. A preview of your meeting/camera will show up on your screen. Find the area in the middle of the window to type in your name. You may use the buttons to toggle the camera and microphone off.
6. Click the "Join Now" button to the right of your name, and you're good to go!

You may also join the Teams meeting using a Smartphone or Tablet; but you will need to go to the app store and install the Microsoft Teams app first, then click on the meeting link listed above.

Additional information:

Meeting ID: 217 761 541 036
Passcode: nkDid2

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 312-593-1554,,374694593# United States, Chicago

Find a local number | Reset PIN

Learn More | Meeting options

Volunteers needed - sign up HERE.

Bathhouse closed until May 1 to protect against possible late season freeze.

Monthly SGC GM Meeting for  May, 2026.

Agenda: Region 8 club happenings and more.

Use this link to join:

Click this link to join the meeting

Reminder: we have switched from Zoom to MS Teams for our meetings. If you have never used MS Teams, here is a detailed list of steps on how to join using any web-browser on a Mac or PC:

1. Click the link above, and a new webpage will open up.
2. If MS Teams is installed on your computer, you may see a pop-up saying "This site is trying to open Microsoft Teams". If you do not use MS Teams regularly, click the "Cancel" button!
3. The website should say "How do you want to join your Teams Meeting?" - choose the option that says "Continue on this Browser"
4. Your web-browser may prompt you to allow use of the Camera and Microphone. Click "Allow"
5. A preview of your meeting/camera will show up on your screen. Find the area in the middle of the window to type in your name. You may use the buttons to toggle the camera and microphone off.
6. Click the "Join Now" button to the right of your name, and you're good to go!

You may also join the Teams meeting using a Smartphone or Tablet; but you will need to go to the app store and install the Microsoft Teams app first, then click on the meeting link listed above.

Additional information:

Meeting ID: 217 761 541 036
Passcode: nkDid2

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 312-593-1554,,374694593# United States, Chicago

Find a local number | Reset PIN

Learn More | Meeting options

The annual Ephrata Dust-Up event will be held on the Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-25, 2026. Come and enjoy the special soaring that Ephrata offers, along with the excellent facilities! More details coming.

Check the Evergreen Soaring website for details.

The New York folks are in town!

FAST (Fly A Sailplane Today)!

As many of you are aware the Methow is possibly the best venue in our state combining fabulous geography, soaring, and great alternative activities for those who prefer remaining on the ground.  Surrounded by beautiful mountains & Canada to the north, our ‘Northern Alps’ to the west, and plains to the south and east makes for an exceptional week.  So, with the support of our local soaring clubs and the Seattle Glider Council, the 2026 “Soaring the Methow” is planned for Saturday, June 6 through Saturday, June 13 (8 days). For more information contact bpattisonmd@gmail.com.

Contact, Tim Culligan WVSC Vice President, tim_c@comcast.net

The Alvord Safari dates this year are from Saturday, June 20th through Saturday, June 27th. Our club has done this trip for years during the 3rd week in July but we are trying an earlier date this year. A few of us will likely arrive the day before on Friday, June 19th to start setting up camp. At the end of the trip, we’ll pack up camp on Sunday morning, June 28th and drive back to Portland. It’s an all-day drive. The camp takes a community effort to run. Everyone is also expected to take turns driving or spotting in the tow vehicle and running wing during launches.

To fly with us, you will need to be checked out on the “wire” for launch with our CFIG. It may take as few as 3 tows to get checked out but that depends on the discretion of the CFIG. Checkout will occur using one of WVSC’s two place ships. We’ll have either a Blanik L23 or a Grob 103. A $60 WVSC Temporary Membership would be required in addition to the Alvord fee of $220 and a renter’s insurance policy in the amount of $50K. A membership in SGC is also required. Skywatch.ai is the company many of our club members use for renter’s insurance. The Alvord is BLM land and we are required to obtain a permit and pay the BLM fee based on the number of people attending the event. Deadline for commitment to the trip will be at the end of May.

We use an unusual launch method utilizing an auto and a 4000’ long wire. The Alvord playa is a huge dry lake bed that extends about 11 miles north to south and about 7 miles east to west. The playa elevation is at 4000’MSL and the release height from the wire is typically 6000’ MSL. Wind conditions can be very turbulent. It can get dicey in the Alvord and severe weather can move through rapidly. In addition to the two-place ship, the club typically brings 1 or 2 single place ships including an SZD-51 Junior and possibly the HpH304. To fly these ships, you would need to be checked out by our CFIG.

Are you planning to camp and if so, what with? You would need to be prepared for sudden, very high winds. If not camping, there is a small motel about 20 miles to the south in Fields Station, OR that only has 4 units or at the Alvord Hot Springs nearby that has metal “bunk houses”. I’m not recommending these places either way, just mentioning them. Ten miles of the trip between Fields Station and the camp is on a gravel road.

Since we are camping, you have the option to purchase the meal plan for $250 which provides three meals each day but does not include personal water, soda or other beverages. Breakfast and dinner are typically communal activities in camp. The morning briefing / safety meeting happens after breakfast at 9am. We go over events of the previous day including a review of safety related items, the weather forecast, nearby MOA activity, etc.

Oregon Field Guide did a segment about us one year that gives an idea of the type of flying and camaraderie we share. https://video.wttw.com/video/alvord-desert-gliders-z23lvz/
Camping in the desert is an adventure. Let me know what other questions you have.

Registration is OPEN! Details are on the SSA's website competition web page.

Use THIS link and log in with your SSA account.

For more information check out the Hood River Soaring website

and the March 2026 issue of the TOWLINE newsletter.

Contact for more info is Stuart Larimore +1 (208) 724-0587

For this year we are planning to have most evening meals at the airport in a tent we are bringing. More folks will be staying at the airport and fewer will be staying at Moose Crossing RV park.

Monthly SGC GM meeting for September, 2026.

Agenda: TBD

Use this link to join:

Click this link to join the meeting

Reminder: we have switched from Zoom to MS Teams for our meetings. If you have never used MS Teams, here is a detailed list of steps on how to join using any web-browser on a Mac or PC:

1. Click the link above, and a new webpage will open up.
2. If MS Teams is installed on your computer, you may see a pop-up saying "This site is trying to open Microsoft Teams". If you do not use MS Teams regularly, click the "Cancel" button!
3. The website should say "How do you want to join your Teams Meeting?" - choose the option that says "Continue on this Browser"
4. Your web-browser may prompt you to allow use of the Camera and Microphone. Click "Allow"
5. A preview of your meeting/camera will show up on your screen. Find the area in the middle of the window to type in your name. You may use the buttons to toggle the camera and microphone off.
6. Click the "Join Now" button to the right of your name, and you're good to go!

You may also join the Teams meeting using a Smartphone or Tablet; but you will need to go to the app store and install the Microsoft Teams app first, then click on the meeting link listed above.

Additional information:

Meeting ID: 217 761 541 036
Passcode: nkDid2

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 312-593-1554,,374694593# United States, Chicago

Find a local number | Reset PIN

Learn More | Meeting options

Need to clear facility for possible snow removal operations.

Date and location TBD.

Monthly SGC GM meeting for December, 2026.

Agenda: TBD

Use this link to join:

Click this link to join the meeting

Reminder: we have switched from Zoom to MS Teams for our meetings. If you have never used MS Teams, here is a detailed list of steps on how to join using any web-browser on a Mac or PC:

1. Click the link above, and a new webpage will open up.
2. If MS Teams is installed on your computer, you may see a pop-up saying "This site is trying to open Microsoft Teams". If you do not use MS Teams regularly, click the "Cancel" button!
3. The website should say "How do you want to join your Teams Meeting?" - choose the option that says "Continue on this Browser"
4. Your web-browser may prompt you to allow use of the Camera and Microphone. Click "Allow"
5. A preview of your meeting/camera will show up on your screen. Find the area in the middle of the window to type in your name. You may use the buttons to toggle the camera and microphone off.
6. Click the "Join Now" button to the right of your name, and you're good to go!

You may also join the Teams meeting using a Smartphone or Tablet; but you will need to go to the app store and install the Microsoft Teams app first, then click on the meeting link listed above.

Additional information:

Meeting ID: 217 761 541 036
Passcode: nkDid2

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 312-593-1554,,374694593# United States, Chicago

Find a local number | Reset PIN

Learn More | Meeting options