Our introductory orientation flights are for people of all ages who want to experience the Joy of Soaring, to fly without an engine - like a hawk. We often follow them - because they're always in the best lift! You'll be accompanied by one of our FAA Commercially Rated Pilots and you'll be able to spend your time enjoying what every glider pilot lives for!

The "Cleveland Forest Magic Flight": $123.00
We'll go to 6,500 feet on the San Juan Capistrano side of the Ortega Mountains. With clear weather, we'll see Catalina and San Clemente Islands to the West. Sometimes, we'll be floating far above a magic carpet of coastal clouds. To the East, we have the 10,000 foot plus peaks of Baldy, San Gorgonio and San Jacinto. Should you want to, we'll share the flight controls and show you how to do simple maneuvers by yourself. You can even experience the thrill of feeling "light as a feather". (Approximately 40-45 minutes.)

The "Santiago Peak ": $163.00
This option takes you still further up to 8,500 feet - a half mile above Saddleback Mountain. Early in the day, it's usually so calm that the glider nearly flies by itself. And the view from one and half miles above sea level is truly spectacular. Looking South, we see Carlsbad, Camp Pendleton, San Clemente and Catalina Islands, Newport Beach, Long Beach Harbor, the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains. The white dot of the Mt. Palomar Observatory completes the 360 degree panorama. (Approximately 60 minutes.)

What's New at LESC

LESC's 2-32 takes flight!

By Mike Havener, Saturday, January 28, 2012

It's been a long and winding road, but after a lot of work and effort, the 2-32 took to the air from Skylark airport today.

What a day! After my checkout by Richard Ensign, I spent the rest of the day in the plane. First thing, Rick Lloyd and Jeff Winkler both received checkouts. After that, Ted Johnson got a well-deserved flight for all the work he put into getting the glider flying. I took Mike Shear up for a dual flight then gave the first LESC O-Flight in the glider.

I've got to say, it was well worth the wait! The ship flies great, very predictable with no unexpected flight characteristics.

Jeff towed the glider behind all 3 of the tow planes to document what the tow pilots could expect when towing the 2-32. He then brief Ted Ripp, who made the rest of the tows.

This is a momentous occasion for LESC and I want to thank everybody who had a hand in it. Of course, every one of us need to give Ted a great big thank you for all the work he's put into this project over the last year, on top of keeping the rest of the gliders flying! I made a comment today (half joking, but serious none the less) that Ted's not going to know what to do with himself when he comes out to the airport. I guess he's just going to have to be satisfied with flying his own glider every now and again (I know how that goes ;-) ).

Eric Strzelczyk forwarded a couple of pictures he shot today and I've post them in the Photo Gallery.

Once again, a lot of people had a hand in this and all deserve a hardy Thank You, but none more than Ted Johnson.

Thanks one and all.

Very BIG O-Flight Day

By Rick Lloyd, Saturday, January 28, 2012

Mark your calendars!

March 17^th is going to be a VERY BIG RIDE DAY for LESC.

BSA Troop 358 out of San Marino (aka: Pasadena area) is going to be spending the weekend camped on the lake in Elsinore. As part of their camping outing 36 of them are planning to discover the Joy of Soaring with LESC. We will have all three tow planes in the air. Hopefully we will have 4 sailplanes in the air! We need all the Ride Pilots we can get that day, even if you don’t normally fly on Saturdays. 36 rides is a lot of takeoffs and landings. We need plenty of ride pilots to make sure that no one gets overworked.

Please let me know that you will be available to take some of the rides that day. To my recollection this is the biggest group ride we have ever attempted. Your help in making this a success will be hugely appreciated.

Jan and I will be providing lunch for the volunteers after the last flight is retrieved. We thank you in advance for your help and participation.

Rick Lloyd
LESC Chief Ride Pilot