Anyone  who has flown a contest knows that a few minutes’ separation in launching times can make the difference between making your time with ease, and sinking out like a rock, not to mention gusts blowing through the landing zone when you’re on final!  F3J removes that element from the equation:  pilots in each group launch at the same time, have identical tasks, fly in the same air, and, if they make it, land at the same time.

Sass put its first Wing Tips Clinic on May 8 at Old Carnation Farm. This was a 4 hour event that focused on helping pilots improve their fundamental soaring skills. We had a total of 7 students and 7 coaches and several people that showed up just to help the event run smoothly.  We could not have asked for better weather: mid 60's temp, sunny and the lift was incredible. Students worked on skills such as winch launching, thermaling techniques, landing approaches/patterns and plane setup.