The TEHACHAPI HISTORY OF SOARING

The Tehachapi Mountain Valley Airport is located in a unique geographical location. It is near Los Angeles and the Southern California metropolitan areas. It was designed to accommodate both sailplanes and general aviation. Many sailplane pilots have had their first flights and training at Skylark North, the glider school of Mountain Valley Airport. It is also the training home for many Air Force and NASA pilots.

There is a remarkable story behind this airport. The tale began in 1961 when Fred Harris found that the Tehachapi area offered unique conditions for sailplanes. This discovery by itself was not enough. It took gumption, know-how and a pioneer spirit for Fred and Goldie Harris to develop a viable gliderport open to the general public... And, it took unique abilities for pilots Larry and Jane Barrett to continue and improve upon the efforts of the Harrises.

It is a story with glamour and humor, as well as blood, sweat and tears. It is a story that touches the heart of the sailplane sport.

Authors Evelyn Eccleston (an SSA member and well-known aviatrix in her own right) and John Sammis have combined to create a collection of news articles, photos, audio interviews and comments on CD-ROM. It is a collection to transition the generations. This CD can be played on Windows computers. It uses the same browser as is used by the Internet, but requires no Internet connection.(Internet Explorer V3.02 is furnished for those with Windows95 machines but without an installed browser.)

Draft versions of this CD-ROM can be ordered through Mountain Valley Airport, 805/822-5267. Or by e-mail. The price is $14.95 + tax (and mailing fee, if applicable). Versions are constantly changing as new information is added, so each copy of the history is currently custom-made. There are also circulating copies in the Tehachapi public library and the Edwards AFB library.

The purpose of offering draft copies is to provide examples of the work to sailplane enthusiasts, and to solicit photos, clippings, recorded comments, and other items of interest related to sailplaning at Tehachapi or the High Desert communities.

If you can help the authors with pertinent information, please contact them by phone, or click on their names to send e-mail.

Evelyn Eccleston 805/822-5337 --- John Sammis 805/822-6747

The Tehachapi History of Soaring Table of Contents:

The Tehachapi Wave

The Fred Harris Days (1961- 1972)

Records and Magnificent Flights

VIPs and Tehachapi

Mountain Valley Airport

General Information

Training and Simulated Flights

Safety

Art and Literature

Joining the Tehachapi Soaring Experience

Economic Considerations

Bibliography

Audio Files

Index (future)

Download (future)

Help (future)