ABOUT US
Reach us by phone at (661) 944-9449,
Great Western Soaring School
by Fred Robinson Diamond badge #80
When it was first founded, there were many soaring sites and clubs. Not only does the school teach, it rents sailplanes and provides services to pilots that own their sailplane.
The Crystalaire Country Club airport is the home of the soaring school. It is located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains on the north side, joining the Mojave Desert at an elevation of 3,420 ft above sea level. It is the only soaring site in Los Angeles County. The coordinates are: 34.5 degrees North and 117.8 degrees West.
The airport has been a soaring site since 1965 when Fred Robinson opened the original Great Western Soaring School. Fred sold the business in 1975 and flew at A.C. Williams Southwest Soaring. Fred reopened the current business 1n 1998 under the old name. The business is growing steadily.
The site has unique soaring conditions. Literally every form of lift (and some found no where else) can be used for soaring year round. Since it is an arid location, few days of soaring are lost to weather.
Two Piper Pawnees (260 hp) provide quick and safe tows to any release altitude. They are equipped with reels to wind in the towline after release. The tow pilots provide a very stable tow for the glider pilots.
The instructors are: Fred Robinson and Dale Masters.
Yvonne Robinson takes visitors up flying for the Introductory Flights.
The soaring school employs a line crew to keep the flights going smoothly.
The airport surface is mostly unpaved desert soil but greatly improved. There is a 2,500 ft asphalt runway and a diagonal asphalt taxi strip. There are tie-downs aplenty but no glider hangars yet. The airport is a mile long with power lines at the west end.
The airport has restrooms and a shower as well as a tree-shaded park. There is plenty of parking space available. Water and a few power outlets are near each end of the field. Business begins at 9 AM and ends at 5 PM. Checks, cash and most credit cards are accepted. During Daylight Savings Time, the school is open every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. Special events can find us open every day.
The Crystalaire Country Club has lodges for rent and offers complimentary guest cards to use the club facilities, including a grand golf course, a heated pool and a club dining room and bar. The lodges are near the airport. There are good restaurants nearby.
Visit us at www.greatwesternsoaring.com or write to us at soaring@qnet.com.
All of the people who provide service at this soaring site are friendly and competent. I am very proud of them.
Fred Robinson
