From Friday, October 14th through Sunday, October 16th, Chilhowee Gliderport hosted its 38th consecutive Octoberfest.
Chilhowee was founded in 1972 by Mike Reisman and has become one of the largest and most active commercial gliderports in the southeastern United States. The first Octoberfest was held in 1974 as a weekend event for sailplane pilots and their families—a time to enjoy soaring along the beautiful Chilhowee ridge and—on the ground—good music, good food, and great company. Many things have changed since the first Octoberfest, but the experience itself remains very much the same. Octoberfest has become the traditional final fling of the soaring season (which never really ends for those of us who love ridge-running!) in this part of the country.
Sarah Kelley Arnold has owned and operated the gliderport for about 10 years. She and her husband Jason maintain a first-class operation and offer rides and training three to four days a week depending on the season and weather. Under Sarah’s management, Chilhowee has thrived. I’m sure Mike Reisman would be very proud.
Friday brought moderate NW winds, which made for great ridge soaring. The weather in general was beautiful with mostly blue skies and the occasional cumulus. The gorgeous fall weather attracted a large crowd of pilots, families, and hangers-on. Ninety-six people showed up to enjoy a scrumptious dinner in the Chilhowee barn on Friday evening. After dinner, awards were presented to winners of the 2011 Georgia-Tennessee-Alabama (GTA) Race Series, pilots who earned Tennessee state soaring records during the year, and Chilhowee Service Awards for Tow Pilot of the Year, Golden Wrench, and Spirit of Reisman. Pilots who had soloed, earned ratings, or completed badge legs at Chilhowee in 2011 were also recognized.
Saturday brought milder winds but the skies were filled with even more sailplanes. The west side of the runway was packed with trailers from one end to the other. Late Saturday afternoon, just before landing my LS-8, I counted 35 trailers and non-trailered gliders from the air. The operation logged 44 tows on Friday, 69 on Saturday, and 23 on Sunday.
On Saturday evening, 131 attendees were served another delicious dinner in The Barn. The air was chilly but spirits were high. Long-time competition pilot, musician, and composer Larry Goddard provided musical entertainment during the meal, which was followed by the evening’s main event, a tribute to Robert E. “Bob” Gaines. Bob started soaring in 1959 as a young Air Force officer. Over the decades, he became a major figure in the Soaring Society of America and a driving force behind the Vintage Sailplane Association and the U.S. National Soaring Museum. He served as SSA Vice-President and on the SSA Board as Director for Region 5 (Southeastern U.S.). He served as Chair of SSA’s Publications Board, SSA Safety Chairman, and Co-Chair of the 1989 and 2004 SSA conventions in Atlanta. Bob was President of the Vintage Sailplane Association and restored many beautiful classic and vintage sailplanes. He served as President of the National Soaring Museum in 2004 and 2005 and as a Trustee for 14 years. Bob and his wife Alice were U.S. dealers for DG Sailplanes for many years.
After Mike Reisman’s death in the late 1990s, Bob and a group of other soaring enthusiasts organized the Chilhowee Soaring Association (CSA) to continue soaring operations at Chilhowee. They provided a great deal of personal capital, equipment, and elbow grease over several years to keep the operation afloat until it was transferred to Sarah.
Saturday’s program included a slideshow highlighting Bob’s contributions to the sport of soaring and tributes to Bob by his son Paul, Mike’s son Will Reisman, and fellow CSA founder Gilly Smith. Several members of Bob’s family were present, including Paul and his family and Bob’s wife Alice.
In November, Bob was nominated for induction into the SSA’s Soaring Hall of Fame.
