Some of you will have noticed a link to SPOT on our web site.  We call it the SPOT spot.   Haha.

The SPOT system uses satellite tracking technology to broadcast your coordinates as you move around.  You can authorize as many or as few people as your would like.  The bright orange SPOT unit has become popular with hikers, sea-kayakers, and other adventurers who are venturing out of cell phone range.  

Soaring pilots started using it about a year ago so their loved ones could keep track of them while they were attempting that 100Km triangle. When the SPOT unit is correctly activated, people you authorize can see your location every ten minutes. This is particularly important if you should stop moving for any reason -- like landing out in a dry lake bed far from cell phone towers, for example. The SPOT unit even allows the user to send a HELP message (that essentially says I've landed out but am safe) or a 911 message. The 911 message essentially says "I need help" and would trigger a search and rescue operation. 

Even if you are unable for any reason to push the 911 button, the track of "breadcrumbs" your unit leaves every 10 minutes would make it possible for searchers to narrow their search dramatically. Think back to any search operation you have read about and imagine if all those searchers could have concentrated on a circle within ten minutes of the last known location, and it becomes readily apparent that this is a valuable technology.

So how do you get such a unit? They are commercially available from many outlets, including online.  If you visit them on-line at FindMeSpot.com, you will discover an offer (ending on 8/3) for a free Spot unit when you sign up for a two year tracking package.  They are also sold at major sports retailers such as Cabela's and REI.  

Because we equip our cross country gliders with them, we encourage you to consider carrying your own personal unit when you're flying out of Minden. We want to make it easier for us and others to follow your progress.

Once you have your SPOT unit up and running, send us a link to your shared page, and we will list it on our website (Coaching available....).  Then we can follow your progress from the comfort of our hangar.  Speaking of the hangar, SoaringNV makes it a practice to stay around at the end of the day to make sure everyone makes it home.  When you have final glide, give us a call so we can lock up and head home to our families.  

Safe soaring!

Fred