CSA Awards

Charles Taylor

The Charles Taylor Award is the most prestigious award presented by CSA. It is awarded to the member who has quietly made a significant contribution to the club during the last year. Charles Taylor was actually a cat at CSA's previous home (Black Forrest Gliderport). This award was inspired by the actions of Hodd Taylor. Hodd was a "crusty ol' " CSA member who lived in a trailer at the gliderport. His flying exploits are a four beer story, if you can get George or Curt started. Anyway, Charles was mostly a stray who took up residence at Black Forrest. No one really knew how he survived until Hodd was spotted one evening at the grocery store, quietly examining cat food to figure out which was the most nutritious. The recipient for this award is determined by the current holder.

Owl Canyon Special Award

The Owl Canyon Special Award is presented to an individual who has been an ongoing, significant, contributor to the club. The recipient of this award is determined by the CSA Board of Directors.

President's Award

The President's award is presented to one or more individuals who have made a significant contribution to the club during the previous year. The recipient of this award is determined by the CSA President.

Duck Head

The Duck Head Award is presented to the member showing the most tenacity to just "duck their head" and go cross country. Originally, the award was presented to the individual who accumulated the most "official" miles soaring cross-country. ("Official" being validated badge attempts, records, contest soaring, etc.) But, after repetitively awarding it to Aland Adams and Jerry Kaufman, the scope was broadened to recognize the pilot best demonstrating the spirit of the Duck Head by ignoring all practical considerations and committing the folly of just doing it. The recipient of this award is determined by the CSA Board of Directors.

Mike Adams Winch Award

The Mike Adams Winch Award is presented to the member having the best flight off the winch. Originally, it was given to the person with the longest cross-country flight from a winch launch. But other achievements have also become notable, such as diamond altitudes and actually getting a 2-32 "up the wire". This award moved to CSA from the Northern Colorado Soaring Society as it disbanded in favor of supporting CSA's move to OCGP. It was named after the good samaritan who helped get it ready for the road trip to Coloraodo from California, while in the process of moving himself (something like it needed an axle...). The recipient of this award is determined by the CSA Board of Directors.

Rich Roberts Ballast, Bailing Wire and Bubble Gum Award

The RRBB&BG Award is presented to the member who has most successfully intimidated club equipment into a functioning state. It is awarded by the current holder and significant measurements are rumored to include the number of squawks squelched and sheer volume of cursing. The recipient of this award is determined by the CSA Board of Directors.

Lead "A"

The Lead "A" is awarded to the member who in a moment of ineptness, demonstrates poor judgement that is exceeded only by his or her luck in keeping the resulting damage to club equipment to a minimum. Lest yee be smug, remember the variants to the old saw: "There are those who have, and there are those who will...." The current holder of this award has the fun of "selecting" and presenting this award to the new recipient.

White Knuckle

The White Knuckle award is presented to the student who, in spite of all obstacles placed before him by the club, et al, actually managed to achieved some goals. The award is comprised of a stick from the Scout which, legend suggests, was pried from the grip of a towpilot after a rather adventurous tow with a student glider pilot. This is awarded by the CSA instructors (who have shown they consider everyone students, even themselves).

Contests

The Rocky Mountain Soaring Contest is an annual CSA affair and is mostly a fun contest so folks can get together, have a good time and learn a bit about contest soaring, without having all those serious go-getter contest types breathing down the novice's neck. This contest has been held regularly since..... well a long time ago. In the relatively recent past, the contest was expanded to two classes so that tasks of two sizes could be set to accommodate the large range of competing ships. Current tradition is that the winner of the Open Class gets to be Competition Director at the next year's contest.

After CSA became established at OCGP, we decided we needed to have a reason for a downwind, straight-out dash. As a small group of ex-CSA members had relocated to Omaha, we decided to see who could get there the fastest to visit. Hence the Omaha Race. It is over 400 miles to Omaha from OCGP and someday someone will make it all the way and claim they got there the fastest. In the meantime, we give this to whoever goes the furthest on the day we set for the "race".