So you think you would like to do some slope flying, but
are afraid or intimidated of Torrey? Well I've got the ticket for you. It's called the
Poway slope. Torrey can be very rough on the nerves with all that water down there. Heck
one mistake and wow, I just lost an airplane, or damn I just hit the cliff and now what do
I do? Also it seems that all the hot pilots fly there and, well I'm just starting out and
I feel a little funny about asking for help at such an intimidating site. And let's not
forget having to dodge all those hang gliders & paragliders. Well if this sounds like
you, or you would just like a change of scenery from the same old flying site wherever
that might be, than come on down to Poway slope for a change of pace.
The beauty of flying slope versus flatland thermal flying
in my opinion is this; you can stay up as long as you want to and not get a sore neck
doing it. At least that's one good point. Some others are learning aerobatics without
having to re-launch a few hundred times, and the part I personally like is being able to
enjoy watching my model flying close up. I love that part the most. Actually now that I
think of it, the slope might be the best place to learn to fly in the least amount of
time. A beginner can see his or her mistakes right away, at least on light days, and on
windy days can get gobs of airtime in without having to land and endanger the aircraft
over and over. Of course you gotta learn that part sooner or later, but why not later ?
OK, sooner might be better than later, but that's what George Joy is for, right George?
One nice advantage Poway slope has over Torrey Pines ridge
is just that. Poway is a slope, and a misjudgment in flying can be retrieved easily. You
might get some weeds in your socks, but that's it. Plus the bushes aren't too bad on a
hard landing either. All kinds of airplanes can be flown there, from 120 inch thermal
planes to the Oly 650 to 60 inch slope racers to handlaunch gliders to combat ships.
Oh by the way, that difficult walk up the slope has been
eliminated now that there is a street that takes you to the top of the ridge on the south
side, Just turn onto Springhurst and drive on up to Mountain Pass. Turn left, and take it
up to the top of the ridge. Park out of the way of the model homes and walk on out to the
ridge. No more huffing and puffing, no more excuses. I hope to see you at the Poway slope
soon.
