TRIP REPORT
The 2021 Experimental Soaring Association Western Workshop marked a return to "in person" meetings after last year's COVID-19-mandated cancellation. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces again and meet up to talk soaring, homebuilding, and vintage aircraft.
This year's event was shorter than normal, with only four "formal" presentations (we normally have presentations all day both Saturday and Sunday), but this was, again, an artifact of COVID. Next year should mark a return to the regular format.
This year's in-person presentations focused on soaring heritage:
- History and types of the Bowlus Sailplane Company
- Restoration project for the Robinson "Robin" JR-IV
- Restoration project for the SGS 2-8
We also had an excellent teleconference presentation call by our own Boku, Bob Kuykendall, on the latest developments with the HP-24, HP-26, his company, and some new materials he's been exploring.
I have raw video of the last two presentations thanks to the ESA's dedicated in-house videographer, and I'll get those posted to the
ESA YouTube channel as soon as I get the chance. I have quite a few more presentations from the 2019 event and, now that things are getting a little less crazy in my personal life, I'm hoping to get those edited and posted as well.
Throw in a couple of BBQs, some great weather, and a great bunch of people, and we've had a wonderful time. Several HBA members showed up, including myself, Victor Bravo, addicted2climbing, Map, mm4440, and Peter Hudson. If any others of you were there and I missed you, my deepest apologies.
I have a photo album of pictures from the event posted here:
ESA Western Workshop 2021
I had a wonderful time, as always. I know several of you are thinking of making it out for next year - I really hope you can make it. Should be a great event!