If the Wright brothers had lived closer to New Mexico, Moriarty would certainly have been their choice of a windy site for their aviation experiments.  The first three days of the Women’s Soaring Seminar saw winds averaging 35 knots directly across the runway.   In spite of that, several hardy souls got an early start each day to get in a few flights before the strengthening wind shut down operations.  Thirty-three attendees enjoyed the weeklong seminar hosted by Kathy Taylor, the Albuquerque Soaring Club, and Sundance Aviation.  When the winds shut down the flying, attendees toured Santa Fe, Old Town Albuquerque, and nearby Indian ruins.  Anna Dobrin-Schippers traveled from Switzerland to join us and managed to fly almost every ship available.  By the end of the week, several notable accomplishments were on the books:  Lauren Reitz soloed the 1-26 for her first single-place ship, Connie Buenafe made the first flight in her Salto, Susan Johnson took her first glider lesson, Charlotte Taylor flew her first flight in wave, Patrick McKnight soloed the 2-33, and Kathy Fosha flew the Pegasus for the first time following up with a silver endurance flight on Wednesday and a 500 km flight led by Chip Garner on Friday.   Monique Weil fell in love with the Libelle on her first flight and went steady with it throughout the week; Karen Aiken completed a flight review after a four-year hiatus from flying. 

                Lucy Ann McKosky, winner of the Brieglieb scholarship, also won the limerick contest which has become an annual tradition.  Phyllis Wells conducted a comprehensive bronze badge clinic which allowed five attendees to pass the written test with flying colors at course end.  All five are well on their way to completing the badge requirements.  Five student pilots at the seminar kept instructors Jim Weir, Kathy Taylor, Jason Stephens, Rick Kohler, and Al Santilli quite busy.  Harriette Einolf was the hardest working pilot at the seminar and took the honors for most flights during the week with fifteen.

                On the educational side, Billy Hill offered words of wisdom on soaring meteorology and Chip Garner spoke to the group twice offering tips on cross-country flying and safety.  Wolf Elber and Phyllis Wells organized a ground rally to demonstrate the use of GPS in retrieving pilots who have landed out.  Evening meals and meetings were held at the Southwest Soaring Museum.  The last day of the seminar provided excellent soaring conditions and much calmer winds to leave everyone with a memorable flying day.   The last farewells were said over an impromptu gathering for dinner and drinks at a local restaurant on Friday evening; it was a fun evening to cap off another outstanding women’s seminar.  Many thanks to the team at Albuquerque Soaring Club and Sundance Aviation for all their help, hard work, and great hospitality!