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About Crazy Creek
History Of Crazy Creek Soaring
In 1968, Jim Indrebo founded the Calistoga Soaring Center, located in the Napa Valley. For 21 years Jim, his family, and a staff of soaring enthusiasts operated one of the largest and safest full-service gliderports in the country.
In the fall of 1990, work began on the new gliderport, just north of Middletown in beautiful Lake County, and on the 4th of July, 1991, the old Calistoga Soaring Center was reborn as Crazy Creek Soaring.
LOCATION
Crazy Creek Soaring lies east of Middletown, CA off Highway 29 nestled in the eastern foothills of the Mayacamus Mountains, the inland most part of the Northern California Coastal Range. The elevation of the gliderport is 970 feet above sea level, there are 4000 foot mountains within ten miles of the airport and 7000 foot mountains 30 miles to the north.
This is Lake County, a mostly rural, agricultural region that boasts of the cleanest air of any county in California. Here the sun shines bright, and the morning low clouds and fog often associated with coastal northern California are not a concern.
The gliderport lies in the center of a 600 acre privately owned ranch, and has a 4000×150 foot grass runway. A large grass glider staging area is located at mid field allowing for centralized operations. The surrounding area is dotted with small landing strips, making for relatively easy “first” cross country flights. Rustic camping is encouraged and RV access is readily available.
At Crazy Creek you can also enjoy our picnic area, hiking and off-road biking in the hills surrounding the airfield.
Soaring conditions are superb, with thermal soaring just about every day and winter wave soaring right overhead the gliderport. Ample space is available for privately owned gliders to be based on the field and you are welcome to fly your own powered aircraft in to visit. Unicom is 123.3.
“Lake County gets A for air quality”
The American Lung Association (ALA) on May 1, 2003 released a follow up study that related to many areas of the nation for ozone air pollution. The study compared measured ozone concentrations with the federal air quality standard to determine a grade. Many areas, especially within California were given an “F” (failing grade).
Lake County received an “A” grade and was identified as on e of the counties with the lowest ozone air pollution in the nation. To receive an “A” grade, no measured exceed of ozone standard could occur for the three years as determined by continuous air monitoring dates.
Bob Reynolds, the Lake County AQMD’s Air Pollution Control Officer, stated that, “It is good to have Lake County positively in the national report on clean air achievements.” Lake County is also the only basin to comply with the most stringent California standards for the past 13 years.
Getting to Crazy Creek from Middletown
From Middletown, turn right three miles North of Middletown onto Grange Road. Continue 6/10 of a mile and turn right at the “Glider Rides” sign. Reservations are Recommended For All Flights.