Congratulations are in order for Mason Banys! Mason received his private glider certificate on June 18, 2026, shortly before his 17th birthday, at CCSA’s field in Avenal, California.
His examiner was Dan Gudgel (pictured here on left) and his recommending instructor was Kevin Shaw. Mason is the third glider pilot in his family – joining his father, Chris (also his tow pilot today) and his sister, Piper, a glider instructor at the US Air Force Academy.
CCSA Avenal 46th
Annual Spring Contest
What happens when you mix 22 sailplane pilots with crew, great weather conditions, friendly competition, top level contest instruction with 5 days of delicious food? You get the Central California Soaring Association’s 46th Annual Spring Soaring Contest (with a Competition Camp) held May 16-24, 2026.
This May saw a lot of activity at the CCSA glider port. Preparing the runways and facilities required much pre-contest airport work with many members putting in days of prep work. Starting the weekend immediately before the contest, Peter D conducted a Junior Competition Coaching Camp. Four morning classes covered topics of advanced soaring and contest preparation. Every afternoon, Morgan H’s Duo Discus became a flying classroom demonstrating the decision making and techniques required for safe, successful contest flying.
At the Wednesday start of the contest, twenty-two sailplanes lined the runway perimeter. This number would vary, with some contestants arriving during the week or teaming with Zach Y in the Duo Discus (the ship was getting a real workout after supporting the cross-country camp!).
CCSA’s glider port is located on the west edge of the city of Avenal CA, with the Temblor Range and Diablo ranges about 5 miles further west. The Temblors run south to the city of Taft, and the Diablos range runs north up to the Hollister area. The cool air masses from the Pacific Ocean on the west and the hot San Juaquin valley to the east tend to meet at these ranges creating convergence lift. The usual routes for cross country and competition tasks run along these features. This convergence line will vary in strength and location throughout the day, creating a challenge for both pilots and task callers.
Wednesday, May 20th officially started the contest period with a practice task running north to Release Ranch, south to Twisselman N, back up the Center Peak, then down to the 30 Final steering turn point and on to a cylinder finish at Avenal. This provided a good warm up for visitor pilots that had not flown out of Avenal for a while and allowed the launch crew an opportunity to gel.
Friday, May 22 saw a repeat of this north – south run with an important exception: the last point before the finish was a “valley run” to Hanford in the San Juaquin valley. Weather predictions had this final leg facing a west wind. Nature had other ideas with an east wind appearing later in the day. Five lucky contestants landed out, and there was an insufficient number of finishers for this task to be scored. Burgers, beans, and salad were served into the late evening at the airport for the returning pilots and the land outs.
Saturday May 23 saw a north – south racing task and forecast that brought out the creativity in some contestants. Risks were taken and there were a few land outs. The club used this night to serve a full tri-tip dinner with a major selection of desserts, with lots of conversation on the days race and tomorrow’s forecast.
Sunday, May 24 finished the contest with a task making use of the lift on the area north of the field and short enough for contestants to have time to break down for travel. A local Taco Truck from Avenal was on hand to serve the returning flyers and allow quick homeward departures.
CCSA tow pilots Jim R, Iceman and Dan G flew in a combination of Cessna, Citabria and Pawnee towplanes. The ground crew consisted of Gabe, Herold, Phoenix, and Peter. Others recorded launches and moved ships after landings. All launch operations were accomplished on a timely basis without incident or injury.
Breakfast and lunch were served each day by Katrina Deane. Her service also included running the start gate, recording the returning pilots and coordinating the retrieve desk. We are truly lucky to have her! The City of Avenal engaged Hupi the Master BBQ man and provided a Porta-potty. Darrell E coordinated the various food vendors.
At the close of the contest on Sunday, final scores revealed that two heads were better than one as Zach Y finished first with the Duo Discus (teaming with Jenna and Alessandro), Morgan H second in his JS-3 and Wyll S third flying his Discus B.
The sound of a trumpet playing “Taps” marked the
close.
A half-dozen club members were out on Saturday for flying and winter chores.
It was a nice day for both - mid-60's temperature; light winds; mostly blue skies and ground dry enough to operate without worrying about getting stuck or leaving ruts. We made about a dozen tows and every landing I saw was respectable!
The winter storms have finished the seasonal palm tree "wind-pruning" and we've got a trailer-full ready to head to the landfill.
Come out and fly or work - either one will be good for you and the club.
As we were finishing putting everything away for the day, the ground fog started to slowly form in the valleys, ditches & creeks. A fine end to a fine day.
