From: mam@gvgspd.gvg.tek.com (Mark A. Matthews)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.soaring
Subject: Re: Where in the Bay Area is there an Aerodome?
Date: 6 Oct 92 18:22:23 GMT
Article-I.D.: blottobo.mam-061092111623
Followup-To: rec.aviation.soaring
Organization: Grass Valley Group

The Ames Soaring Club (ASC) currently operates out of Byron Airpark in the
San Joaquin Valley.  The Ames Club was founded in 1948 and is one of the
oldest glider clubs in the Bay Area, and is the only area club that offers
basic instruction as well as encouraging cross-country soaring flight.  A
student pilot who flies regularly may achieve his or her private
certificate for half the cost of most commerical operators.  All Ames Club
members must also join the Northern California Soaring Association (NCSA),
which provides the tow service.  The operation is open on weekends only. 
The Ames Soaring Club provides gliders for rental as well as basic and
advanced instruction.  Included in the ASC memberhsip fees below is
membership in the Soaring Society of America (SSA) and the Pacific Area
Soaring Council (PASCO).  A membership application must be approved by the
elected Board of Directors of both ASC and NCSA after an evaluation flight
with a club instructor.

Ames membership is currently $30/month.  NCSA is $125/6 months

Flight charges are as follows:

        	Blanik L-13:     $2/flight (2 gliders available, basic
instruction)
        	Schweizer 1-26:  $2/flight
        	Pilatus B4:      $4/flight (rated pilots)
        	Grob G-103:      $5/flight (rated pilots)
        	Instruction:     $15/hour  (currently 4 instructors in club)

Each glider is equipped with radio, parachutes and trailer.  The Grob,
1-26, Pilatus and one of the Blaniks are equipped with oxygen for high
altitude flight.

NCSA Tow Charges:  $12 for first 10 minutes (minimum, usally to 3000 feet)
        	       	  $1/minute after
        	       	  $6 Pattern Tow

Who to contact and how to get there

Phone # at Ames/NCSA: 510-516-1745.  Answering machine most of the time. 
Someone likely to pick it up on weekends.

People to contact:
Richard Pearl (Prez) - 916-933-5145
Steve McRobert (VP, Membership chairman) - 408-296-6938
Rolf Peterson (instructor) - 510-447-5620
Mike &+ Julie Scheinder - 510-426-1412
Mark Matthews - 916-272-6461

Most of these folks you'll have to leave a message with.  


To get to Byron, several options.  Most important for all of them is to
locate Byron on a map.

1)  I-80 east from SF, then State Route 4 east through Anitoch and
Brentwood.
Follow signs leading to Byron and Tracy on County Road J-4.  Go through
town of Byron, continue on towards Tracy.  About a mile out of Byron there
will be a sign indicating airport (accross from the Byron Inn).  Turn onto
Byron Hot Springs Road, cross over railroad tracks, then right on
Armstrong.  Airport is on your left, office will be in hangar closest to
road.

2)  I-80 east from SF, then State Route 24 east through Walnut Creek.  Exit
SR24 at Treat Blvd.  Go right on Treat.  Continue for serveral miles and
turn right onto Clayton Road.  Continue for (about) 25 miles, follow signs
to Byron.  Cross railroad tracks and turn right on County Road J-4.  About
a mile out of Byron there will be a sign indicating airport (accross from
the Byron Inn).  Turn onto Byron Hot Springs Road, cross over railroad
tracks, then right on Armstrong.  Airport is on your left, office will be
in hangar closest to road.

3)  I-80 east from SF, then I-580 east through San Leandro, Dublin,
Livermore and over the Altamont Pass.  Continue several more miles to Tracy
exit, County Road J-4.  (J-4 sign is a small blue sign, easy to miss if
you're not looking for it.)  Go left under freeway and back towards hills
several miles to Byron Inn.  Go left on Byron Hot Springs Road, cross over
railroad tracks, then right on Armstrong.  Airport is on your left, office
will be in hangar closest to road.

Option 1) is longest, 2) is prettiest, 3) is fastest.  Expect 1-2 hours
depending on route and traffic (and back-tracking).  Locate a map covering
Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.  Good Luck!