Where do SASS members hang out on the web?
Where does SASS fly? Thermals? Slope?
Who can I ask questions about this website?
Where can I ask questions about R/C Sailplanes?
Who can I contact about beginner sailplanes?
Who can I ask questions about Hand Launch Gliders?
How do I become an active member?
I'm new to SASS and Carnation Farm, what do I need to know?
I'm new to SASS and 60-Acres, what do I need to know?
Where are some Hobby Shops around Seattle?
What is a Hand Launch Glider (HLG)?
SASS stands for the Seattle Area Soaring Society. We're a group of radio controlled sailplane modeling enthusiasts with interests in all forms of radio controlled soaring. We have two fields for soaring that we maintain and we also host slope soaring trips all around the state of Washington.
Open Membership in SASS is $50 for new members and $100 each year after that (other rates are available for out-of-towners and youth, and lifetime members, see link below). This membership gives you access to flying at Carnation Farm as well as access to the club equipment and other great benefits! Click here for more information about becoming a SASS member.
The Seattle Area Soaring Society meets monthly in the Fall, Winter and Spring. Check the calendar for dates (usually the 1st Thursday of the month). We meet at the Kirkland Middle School in Kirkland (click here for more information)
Where do SASS members hang out on the web?
Google Groups: SASS_Club Google Groups is a SASS members only information exchange group. In order to join the SASS_Club group, you need to join SASS. Click here for membership information. Once you become a member, you will automatically be added to SASS_Club Google group. If you are an SASS member please contact the SASS board to be added to the list.
Yahoo Groups: SASS_Club (Yahoo) This Yahoo group is for the general public who is interested in what is going on at SASS, but who are not SASS members. This group only receives messages from SASS and group members are not able to post to Yahoo Groups. This is SASS' public announcement for Contests and Meetings and other public information that SASS wants everyone to know about. If you want to know what's going on with SASS, but aren't up for SASS membership (such as people who live outside of the Seattle area) just log on and sign up!
RC Groups: You may already be familiar with RC Groups But if you aren't, its a wonderful source for modeler to modeler information in the form of forums. SASS has its own RCGroups forum:
http://www.rcgroups.com/seattle-area-soaring-society-701/
Also, many of the SASS members hang out there and make posts. Some of our favorite forums are:
Sailplane
Talk
Thermal
Slope
Hand
Launch Gliders
and lots of others!
Full Club info here Contact them here: SASS_Board@*SPAM*googlegroups.comremember to remove *SPAM*
Where does SASS fly? Thermals? Slope?
Most of SASS's flying sites are listed HERE.
Thermal
SASS has 2 primary sites for Thermal fllying:
Slope
There are lots of slope sites around Seattle and throughout Washington. Check out SASS' Yahoo Group SASS_Club for group slope trips.
Many of the most popular slopes we fly at can be found HERE.
Who can I ask questions about this website?
Your 2 primary contacts for this website are:
Where can I ask questions about R/C Sailplanes?
Anyone on the SASS board would be happy to field your questions about getting into R/C Sailplanes (Click here)
You may find a number of answers on the web too, RC Groups is a great place to start.
Who can I contact about beginner sailplanes?
The SASS board is a great resource for information on getting started in R/C Sailplanes (Click Here)
Other club members who can help you get going in the fascinating world of sailpanes:
SASS offers training night evrey Wednesday evening in the summer (starting about 4pm) at 60-Acres. Contact Paul Measel for details.
Who can I ask questions about Hand Launch Gliders?
Seattle has been a hot bed of hand launch glider activity for more than 2 decades... and it still is!
For more information about this exciting aspect of R/C Sailpanes and what's going on here in Seattle, contact:
How do I become an active member?
Once you join SASS you are automatically assigned provisional member status. As a provisional member, you need to fly with an active member at all times at Carnation Farm. To become an active member you need to meet with at least one member of the Safety Committee. The 2010 Safety Committee is:
Seth Arlow - Head
Adam Weston - HLG
Read more about the Carnation Farm flying rules in full detail here (Section 5.f. covers provisional and active status):
http://www.seattleareasoaringsociety.com/documents/rules.pdf
I'm new to SASS and Carnation Farm, what do I need to know?
How do I become a member?
Becoming a member requires some paperwork. The paperwork is located at (link) Please read that page, which has the paperwork, fill it out and send it in. Please keep in mind that this is a volunteer organization and processing it may take several weeks.
Why is a background check required? The background check is a requirement of our lease. Carnation Farm is private property that contains a summer camp for challenged kids. Because we share the property, a background check is important for their safety.
Why do I need to join the AMA?
The AMA provides amazing insurance coverage for its members, it is a requirement of our lease agreement and required by the SASS flying site rules.
When are the club meetings?
Club meetings are the first Thursday of each month. Monthly meetings are suspended June through August so we can fly instead. The meeting location may change, so visit (link) for the latest club meeting information.
The club meeting include a raffle. The raffle has included airplanes, receivers, servos and in the future some bind and fly indoor aircraft.
After the club meeting, the group moves onto a diner/pub for socializing.
How do I get involved?
Getting involved is easy. Check out the list of SIGs (Special Interest Groups) and contact the person in charge
Is there a way to check what is going on at the field before I leave my house?
Yes, there are two ways. First is to click here (link) to check the calendar for scheduled field use.
The second is to click here (link) to the Carnation Farms web cam to visually see the weather and what is happening.
What are the Site flying rules?
The Carnation Farm flying site rules can be found here (link) These rules are more than what we would like to have, but SASS's relationship with the landlord and neighboring property owners makes it necessary. Reading the rules is a requirement of membership.
What is frequency control?
Many aircraft are controlled with transmitters on 72 mhz on one of 60 channels. Two aircraft sharing a frequency usually results in the destruction of both aircraft. SASS provides a way to track frequency usage by posting your AMA card on a board.
If you are flying with one of the newer 2.4 radios, frequency control is not necessary.
There is a gate at the field entry. How do I get a gate code?
Once a member, your email will be provided a gate code by email. The gate code changes from time to time so check your email.
The gate code may not be given to a non-member.
Can I bring a friend to the field?
Certainly. Remember, that they are a guest and they must leave when you do.
Can I park on the grass?
No.
How do I get my planes out onto the field?
You may drive on the grass to drop off planes and equipment, but you must park your car in a designated area. Areas where you can drive on the grass are limited. Please verify those limited areas with another club member before you drive on the grass. Often, the grass area can be very wet and may not support your car. Please check the field before you drive on it.
The club also owns a Polaris that seats 6 adults. It is often used as a taxi to move planes and equipment to and from the parking area.
If unsure, you must walk.
Can I sport fly when there is a contest?
It depends on the contest. There is a lot of room at Carnation Farms. Typically, sport flying and contests can occur at the same time. However the contest has priority over sport flying concerning location and use of radio frequencies.
How do I get checked out on the equipment and shown around?
Contact the SASS Board to set up a mutually convent time. Please try to provide some advance notice.
What club equipment is available for personal use at the field?
Much of the club equipment is available for all club members at the field. Please do not try to set it up on your own until you have had a chance to see others set it up, had a chance to operate it under their supervision and have been checked out on it. There is some equipment that has restricted use. Please make sure you know what is restricted before you use it.
The club equipment used the most are high starts, winches, retrievers, batteries, BBQ, generators, sound system, the Polaris and the mower.
Can I borrow SASS equipment for use at a different flying site?
No.
Are there any portions of the field that I cannot use or drive on?
Yes there are. Please review the map located at (link) closely. Vehicles can only drive on the access road to the center of the field and back. The Polaris is restricted to the 35 acres leased by SASS. Aircraft retrieval outside of the 35 acres must be done on foot.
What is provisional status?
SASS membership, like every RC club, has a two step process. Provisional status (first step) is a limited form of membership. Until graduated by the safety committee, a provisional pilot may only fly under the supervision of an active pilot and over a limited patch of ground. See the site rules for more information. (link)
How do I graduate to Active Pilot?
A provisional pilot wishing to graduate to an Active Pilot (second step) must first requests a time and date for the safety committee to meet and review the pilots skills and decision making abilities. This can be started by contacting the chair of the safety committee (link). The safety committee, in nearly all cases will meet immediately afterwords to make a determination. Graduation is not guaranteed. It is also possible to graduate but with restrictions. If the provisional pilot does not graduate, the safety committee will prepare a written response stating the reasons why and provide a list of things to work on in an effort to help graduate.
I'm new to SASS and 60-Acres, what do I need to know?
Do I need to be a member of SASS to fly at 60 Acres?
No
You do need to have AMA insurance to fly at 60-Acres.
What are the field use rules?
King County requires that you have an AMA card.
As a club we do not fly over 60-AcresNorth while soccer is being played.
Is flying sailplanes restricted at 60 Acres?
Yes, it is restricted.
The field is owned by King County and leased to Lake Washington Youth Soccer. SASS has entered into a long term user agreement with both King County and LWYSA.
60 acres is open to all throughout the wet season when the goal posts are stored off to the side of the field. This use is unrestricted except when another organization has reserved the field.
SASS has unrestricted use of 60 Acres South on Wednesdays and on three weekends during the soccer season.
SASS has a storage room at 60 Acres South for equipment and a BBQ.
SASS pays for site insurance for its members flying at 60 Acres.
What happens on Wednesday nights?
SASS is always looking for new members. Wednesdays at 60 Acres is seen as an outreach program to invite those interested in the hobby to try it out and a chance to setup new aircraft.
Is there a way to check what is going on at the field before I leave my house?
Can I sport fly when there is a contest?
It depends on the contest. There is a lot of room at 60 Acres. Typically, sport flying and contests can occur at the same time. However the contest has priority over sport flying concerning location and use of radio frequencies.
What club equipment is available for personal use at the field?
Typically there is none. A limited amount of equipment is stored at 60 Acres and is only available to a few with keys to the storage area.
When available, the club equipment stored here are high starts, winches, batteries and a BBQ.
Where are some Hobby Shops around Seattle?
Here are a list of local Hobby Shops that help send folks interested in R/C Sailplanes in SASS's direction. Thanks!
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RC Aerodyne/Trade Associates, Inc |
What is a Hand Launch Glider (HLG)?
A hand launch glider is a Radio Controlled sailplane that is launched using only your hand, arm, and body. Hand launch gliders were started as a subset of Winch/bungee launched gliders years ago and have grown into their own distinct category of R/C Sailplanes and even have an international designation: F3K.
In the last 10 years hand launch gliders that were traditionally launched with an overhand/javelin throw have been taken over by a discus launch where the pilot holds onto the wing tip and spins around more like a discus throw. This throwing technique was first developed by a SASS member named Dick Barker in 2000 or so. Planes launched with this style of throw are called Discus Launch Gliders (DLG's).
Check out the HLG SIG page
Questions? Email: red@tgworks.com