Soar Minnesota



Minnesota Soaring Waypoints, Airspace and Tasks


Waypoint data files are now easy to create using SeeYou and StrePla software.  Files can be generated that are compatible with a wide variety of soaring flight computers, soaring flight software programs, and flight recorders.  Let me know if you want a file created for your device.

I have also created airspace files in several formats.   They were generated on March 17, 2006 by importing DAFIF data into StrePla and exporting airspace data in the Tim Newport-Peace and Open-Air formats.  I then added coordinates for the outline of the state of Minnesota to the Tim Newport-Peace file.  The files were generated after the change in the Class B airspace in Minneapolis. 


Tasks

Below are links to collections of soaring tasks originating from airports in or near Minnesota.   The collection was created using SeeYou and StrePla.  They make it easy to create and edit tasks on a PC.  I used them to find the tasks and to print the task data below.  The original SeeYou and StrePla waypoint and task files are included.  If you use SeeYou or StrePla you can open the files on your PC to see details on the tasks or modify them.  The PDF files are great for printing and bringing to the airport.

Disclaimer
The tasks found below were created on a computer while viewing maps of the region.  The tasks are designed to meet distance requirements and other considerations.  Some of the tasks may look good on paper but may not be great to fly.  For example, some of the tasks extend into Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.  There are many forested areas in those regions, and few airports.  Plan your flights carefully.  I cannot be held responsible for flights into regions with few landing options.  Also, many private airports are used as waypoints.  Many private airports are great for landing gliders, others are not.  The database used includes all public and private airports in the USA as of April 2006.

 
Task Files
Faribault, Airport, MN - Home of Cross Country Soaring
File Format Description
  Faribault and Entire USA.cup SeeYou Waypoint & Task File Includes dozens of soaring tasks originating from Faribault.  It is a large file because it includes every public and private airport in the USA.  You may want to remove some of the distant waypoints from the file.
  Faribault and Entire USA.st2 StrePla Waypoint & Task File Includes dozens of soaring tasks originating from Faribault.  It is a large file because it includes every public and private airport in the USA.  You may want to remove some of the distant waypoints from the file.
  Faribault-Short-Task.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics on the Faribault Short Task (FST).  This is a new task designed to promote cross-country soaring.  The task includes 3 turnpoints which are all less than 6.5 miles from Faribault.  The total distance around all 3 turnpoints and back to Faribault is 34.1 miles (54.9 km).  It is a great way to practice cross-country soaring and speed tasks without ever getting to far from home.   Time yourself to see how fast you can fly the task. Then do it again and try to improve your speed.

Task Rules
  • Start Below 5000 feet AGL
  • Fly around every turnpoint in order.  You must fly to far side of the turnpoint - through the FAI "photo sector".
  • Finish Above 1000 feet AGL
  Faribault-Triple-Crown.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics on the Triple Crown task.  To be awarded the Triple Crown you must fly a sailplane over the 3 soaring sites in (or near) MN including Faribault, Stanton and L O Simenstad Airport in Osceola, WI.  The total task distance is about 97 miles.
  Faribault-FAI-Triangles.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics of many FAI triangles from Faribault.  Great for printing and bringing to the airport.
  Faribault-Out-and-Returns.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics of many out & return tasks from Faribault.  Great for printing and bringing to the airport.
  Faribault-Straight-Distance.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics of many straight distance tasks from Faribault.  Great for printing and bringing to the airport.
L. O. Simenstad Airport, Osceola, WI - Home of the Red Wing Soaring Association
  File Format Description
  Osceola and Entire US.cup SeeYou Waypoint & Task File Includes dozens of soaring tasks originating from Simenstad Airport.  It is a large file because it includes every public and private airport in the USA.  You may want to remove some of the distant waypoints from the file.
  Osceola-Short-Task.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics on the Osceola Short Task (OST).  This is a new task designed to promote cross-country soaring.  The task includes 3 turnpoints which are all less than 9.5 miles from Osceola.  The total distance around all 3 turnpoints and back to Faribault is 54.5 km.  It is a great way to practice cross-country soaring and speed tasks without ever getting to far from home. Time yourself to see how fast you can fly the task. Then do it again and try to improve your speed.

Task Rules

  • Start Below 5000 feet AGL
  • Fly around every turnpoint in order.  You must fly to far side of the turnpoint - through the FAI "photo sector".
  • Finish Above 1000 feet AGL
  Osceola-Delbert.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphic of the Delbert Trophy
  Osceola-Triple-Crown.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics on the Triple Crown task.  To be awarded the Triple Crown you must fly a sailplane over the 3 soaring sites in (or near) MN including Faribault, Stanton and L O Simenstad Airport in Osceola, WI.  The total task distance is about 97 miles.
  Osceola-FAI-Triangles.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics of many FAI triangles from Osceola.  Great for printing and bringing to the airport.
  Osceola-Out-and-Returns.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics of many out & return tasks from Osceola.  Great for printing and bringing to the airport.
  Osceola-Straight-Distance.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics of many straight distance tasks from Osceola.  Great for printing and bringing to the airport.
Stanton Airfield - Home of the Minnesota Soaring Club
  File Format Description
  Stanton and Entire USA-2008.cup SeeYou Waypoint & Task File Includes dozens of soaring tasks originating from Stanton Airfield.  It is a large file because it includes every public and private airport in the USA.  You may want to remove some of the distant waypoints from the file.
  Stanton and Entire USA.st2 StrePla Waypoint & Task File Includes dozens of soaring tasks originating from Stanton Airfield.  It is a large file because it includes every public and private airport in the USA.  You may want to remove some of the distant waypoints from the file.
  Stanton-Short-Task.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphic of the Stanton Short Task.  This has been a very popular first cross-country soaring task at Stanton.  It is designed to promote cross-country soaring.  The task includes 4 turnpoints which are all less than 7.1 miles from Stanton.  The total distance around all 3 turnpoints and back to Faribault is 34.7 miles.  It is a great way to practice cross-country soaring and speed tasks without ever getting to far from home. Time yourself to see how fast you can fly the task. Then do it again and try to improve your speed.

Task Rules
  • Start Below 5000 feet AGL
  • Fly around every turnpoint in order.  You must fly to far side of the turnpoint - through the FAI "photo sector".
  • Finish Above 1000 feet AGL
  Stanton-Delbert.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphic of the Delbert Trophy
  Stanton-FAI-Triangles.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics of many FAI triangles from Stanton.  Great for printing and bringing to the airport.
  Stanton-Out-and-Returns.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics of many out & return tasks from Stanton.  Great for printing and bringing to the airport.
  Stanton-Straight-Distance.pdf Adobe Acrobat PDF Details and graphics of many straight distance tasks from Stanton.  Great for printing and bringing to the airport.


Airports

New Airport Database Files for the entire USA
I did some digging at the FAA and found a free source for electronic versions of the FAA airport database.  I relayed the data to John Leibacher who created waypoint files which include all the public and private airports in the USA.  They are saved in files that are formatted for SeeYou and StrePla.  The files are available here:
http://soaring.aerobatics.ws/TP/FAA

Glide Navigator II and Cambridge 302 Waypoints
Below are new waypoints file for MN and surrounding states for use in Glide Navigator II. The new files use a new FAA database that includes all public and private airports as of March 2006.  Also included are non-airport turnpoints such as cities that are used for soaring tasks. 
Note: These files are sized to also fit into a Cambridge 302 or 302A.
Faribault-Sm-2008.dat
Faribault-Lg-2008.dat
Osceola-2006b.dat
Stanton-Sm-2008.dat
Stanton-Lg-2008.dat

ILEC SN10 Waypoint and Airspace Database
MN-2006c_s10.ndb - format: ILEC SN10, This file includes the new MN airspace and waypoints in southern MN, northern IA, and western WI.
Note: The "c" version of this file uses a newer waypoint database and I also changed the attributes of all the airports to "L" for landable so that they will appear on the alternates page in the SN10.

Non-Airport Waypoints for Minnesota
The files below contain non-airport waypoints that I use in Minnesota.  They include cities and other landmarks that have been used for soaring tasks such as the Stanton Short Task and common badge and record triangles.  What I do is open the large USA airport databases listed above in SeeYou or StrePla and then open or import the appropriate file below.
MN Non-Apt Waypoints.cup - format: SeeYou waypoint file
MN Non-Apt Waypoints.st2 - format: StrePla waypoint file
 


Airspace

Minnesota and Surrounding States
MN-Airspace-2008.sua - format: Tim Newport-Peace, Compatible with Glide Navigator II, includes outline of Minnesota
MN-Airspace-2008.txt - format: Open-Air, Compatible with WinPilot and SeeYou

Entire USA
Entire USA Airspace 2008.sua - format: Tim Newport-Peace, Compatible with Glide Navigator II

Entire USA Airspace 2008.txt - format: Open-Air, Compatible with SeeYou and WinPilot


web page by:
Paul E. Remde
homepage
e-mail

Last Update:
April 21, 2010