Glider over Mt. Nebo

By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent

There will be a significant amount of glider activity at the Nephi Municipal Airport over the next few weeks.
There will be a group of 10 to 20 gliders from out of state who will be launching from our airport," said Randy McKnight, city administrator.
They came in June 22. They were not part of an organized event but used the airport during the week prior to Saturday, June 27.
From Saturday, June 27 through Sunday, July 5, there will be an organized glider event held at the airport.
"It will include 70 gliders, with their pilots and support staff, and several tow planes and pilots to launch the gliders," said McKnight.
The event is called the Nephi OLC/Cross-Country Camp and is sponsored by the Utah Soaring Association.
Association member Bruno Vassel is the event organizer.
"They will hold their group events and safety meetings in the northernmost building at the airport," he said. "They will launch the gliders mid-morning, and the gliders return to the airport in the late afternoon to early evening."
"We will be posting a Notice to Airmen showing the runway closed during the times the runway is heavily used for staging, launching, and retrieving gliders (approximately 10 a.m. through at least 4 p.m. on the days of the event).
"We will also post a notice about intensive glider activity around the airport," he said.
The runway closure NOTAM only applies to the June 27 - July 5 time period (9 days).
"Even during those 9 days, we will accommodate any local traffic needs, getting in or out," said McKnight. "For about two hours each morning on those days, the 70 gliders will be staged at the north end of the runway for launching." Even during that two hours each day, local traffic can be accommodated but with a shorter effective runway.
There will be an on-site event coordinator on the field at all times.
McKnight said he will forward his contact information to local airport users before the event, so that any local traffic needs can be communicated and coordinated.
"We hope the events will have a positive impact on the motels, restaurants, and stores in the community," McKnight said.