About Us  -  Caracole Soaring
Caracole Soaring began operating at California City Airport in July 1990. The name Caracole comes from the Old French/Spanish word to indicate a spiral staircase, a climbing turn, and is used in equestrian movement to describe a pirouette or spin or pivot.  This is the movement we describe in climbing in thermals, and was Cindy's sentimental choice, over the practicality of a location name. A children's carousel spins around, and a snail or conch is covered by a carapace, for those who appreciate etiology.
Marty Martin Eiler

FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, Chief CFI, Towpilot, A&P Mechanic

Started flying on his family's home airport in Pennsylvania.  Rated first in airplanes, then played with these airtoys:  skydiving (D rated), hang gliding (Hang 4), trike flying USUA tandem instructor, then sailplanes. 
US Diamond Badge 768. World, US and State soaring record holder.  For other fun:  golf, motorcycling.
 

Cindy
Cindy is in the red hat

 Cindy Brickner

Glider CFI, Towpilot

Started soaring in 1974 at Pearblossom as a result of a part-time gliderport job. Rated in gliders first (for the fun of it), then CFIG when starting the school at Cal City, then airplanes for the practicality of towing, too.  She has to launch Marty for those records!
US Diamond 872, state and US record holder. Other fun:  tried hang gliding but prefers 3-axis controls, Quarter Horses, volleyball.
 
Derek Derek Lisoski

Towpilot, Comml Glider

Aerodynamics/control systems engineer, wireless broadband in hangar creator, electron commander, 1/3 Mooney 201, 1/4 Citabria 7ECA owner. He says he owns 7/12ths of a plane.
 
Steve Steve Ballard

Towpilot, Glider CFI,   (CFI AMI...)

ATP for a real job... which keeps him gone too much. Visits in his Aeronca Champ occasionally.

Mike Donnelly
Towpilot, glider student
Fireman (Retd.), Building Inspector, C-182 owner

John Shmoldas
Towpilot, Comml Glider
Consultant, guided bomb designer

Peter Zeman
Towpilot, Comml Glider
GEC Marconi, systems structures engineer, 182 part owner.

Mike Hartenstine
Towpilot, Comml Glider, (CFI-AMI....)
Lockheed flight test, 1-26 owner/restorer and Pitts S-2 owner.

Mark Grubb
Towpilot, Glider CFI
Chemistry/science teacher, geologist, 1000 km badge, AS-W 20 owner.

 

Line Crew Champions:

Justin Bell, glider student,  12 yrs - weekends and holidays

Jeremy Storey , glider solo student, 16 yrs, intermittently

one position available – part time – barter only. 10/05