Glider Storage Facility

A group of CSS members, led by the indomitable Owen Morse, are going to acquire, install and donate a secure container for HGs and PGs at the AJ Airpark.

Owen's original post, where much of the discussion took place, is linked below; excerpts of the lively discussion are here. Planners can add to this page or add additional pages below this one detailing work planning, container use agreements, lists of who's part of the project, etc.

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The Idea:
"...at the moment, I think a shared storage facility makes sense. Sylmar has created two beautiful storage units with individual locker doors, and each glider slides into a 14 inch diameter pvc tube. Very nice indeed, but pretty expensive. I'd like to keep costs down. I think we could build shelves inside a shipping container fairly inexpensively, and give each glider owner a key to the lock. For folks who are uncomfortable with this level of security (or lack thereof) Rob McKenzie offers the perfect solution with his personal storage unit. I'd like to see this become a way that the CSS can bring in funds, but I also would like it to be affordable for all CSS members. under $200 a year is what I'm thinking."

1. How about a lump sum buy-in to defray the initial costs and an annual maintenance fee which will cover new paint and kick css some cash too. - RebarDan
2. I would like to extend the coverage to both HG & PG equipment. - Kim Floyd
3. I believe there may be a fairly simple and inexpensive method of individually locking a glider to the shelves or walls of the container for those who would like a little extra security. - Mike Zeller
4. The offer would be available to CSS members only. We do a one time buy-in fee of $250.00 per pilot. That gets you a key to the container, and one year of storage. Then, it's $100 a year after that. The container will easily hold 54 hang gliders, and 26 paragliders. I propose that each pilot is allowed up to two wings of their choice in the container for the storage fee. - Owen
5. I envision a system where participating members are given ... two stickers that have a number (1 through 80) on them. You put a sticker on your glider bag(s), and you are good for the year. The next year, the color of the stickers change - Owen
6. Just a note to let you know what a deal this price is for glider storage. The price at Torrey went to
   $600.00 a year for one wing. - Brad Hall
7. The board has green-lighted the whole glider storage project.
8. There has been a decision to put the container just south of the port-a-potty, for traffic considerations.

Who's In:
It would be great to get 16 pilots to commit now. If we could do that, then all the upfront costs are covered, and all the money from that point forward goes to the club.

Right now, I believe I have a commitment for $250 from the following pilots:

Alan Crouse
Dan DeWeese
Kim Floyd
Pete Johanson
Owen Morse
Bob Pobocik
John Wright
Mike Zeller
Dusty Rhodes
Mike Blakely
Alan Coffield
George Zelenz
Tom Swanson

Storage Container Located:

With initial phone calls first made by Rebar Dan and Gary Glibbery, I set out to physically look at a few more insulated (reefer) containers today.

California Containers in Long Beach had three 40 foot containers for sale. After inspection, I determined two of the three were unacceptable. The third, although beautiful on the inside, had had a substantial encounter with another container (or similar) earlier in it's life, and the back corner, a small section of the roof, and the entire refrigerator unit were damaged. I chatted a bit with the owner of the company, and long story short, got him to agree to repair the container, weld aluminum plate over the entire back, and put a fresh coat of paint on the whole container... for no additional charge.

I will head back on Wednesday to view all the repair work before paint goes on Thursday or Friday. Delivery will be scheduled sometime the week of May 14th, 2007.

Here are all participating members, their glider number, and their current status.

Updated July 31, 2008

1 Dan DeWeese (paid)
2 Mike Zeller (paid)
3 Alan Crouse (paid)
4 Alan Coffield (paid)
5 Kim Floyd (paid)
6 Owen Morse (paid)
7 Conrad Orr (paid)
8 George Zelenz (paid)
9 Dusty Rhodes (paid)
10 Tom Swanson (paid)
11 Gary Glibbery (paid)
12 John Wright (paid)
13 Len Szafaryn (not paid)
14 ( lost tags )
15 Scott Walker (not paid)
16 Bob Pobocik (paid)
17 Gene Embree (paid)
18 Mike Blakely (paid)
19 David Aldrich (paid)
20 Dave Davenport (paid)
21 Steve Watkins (paid)
22 Todd Snaza (paid)
23 Gwen and Rod Clark (not paid)
24 Donald Green (paid)
25 Joel Rempfer (paid)
26 Chris Hall (paid)
27 Jan Molten (paid)

98 Fusion 141 (community wing)
100 Moyes Xtralite 163 (community wing)

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