My first flight had to be preceded by a mandatory area checkout by a CFI in Super Blanik. We were towed up to 3,500ft AGL, and the instructor explained names of near mountains and thermal spots, and showed me how to enter the pattern. The cost of this area checkout was $85 including the tow and the use of aircraft. To fly your glider at Val Air, you also need to pay $10 per day club fee (or $50 per year) in addition to the tow price ($40 for 2,000ft tow) and another $10 per day glider tie-down fee. Parking RV is $15 per day, and camping is $5 per day. Bathroom is open 24 hours, but there is no shower facility. There is no food service at Val Air airport, but downtown Durango is only 3-mile driving. There are lots of nice restaurants and other shops in downtown Durango.
My first flying in my LS8 went pretty well. With help of lots of Cu's, I quickly went up to 18,000 ft. Firstly, I went to Telluride, because I know they fly glider there when the airport is open. Right now, it is under remodeling, and there is no glider activities, though. Then, I turned south, and followed clouds as south as I could. I turned a dirt airfield called Ghost over Abiquiu reservoir. The flight was 5 hours 35 minutes, and the distance was 524km. Except for frequent glider rides, I was the only pilot who went for cross country.
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Nice grass runway
Val Air airport and Animas river seen in Animas Valley
Abiquiu reservoir
Flew 524km
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