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, playing with Val.
 

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!
Other fun: tried hang gliding but prefers 3-axis controls, Quarter Horses, volleyball.
 
Derek Derek Lisoski

Towpilot, Comml Glider

Aerodynamics/control systems engineer for “Helios”, highest-altitude solar driven aircraft. Wireless broadband in hangar creator, electron commander, 1/3 Mooney 201, 1/4 Citabria 7ECA, half a DUO owner. He says he owns 13/12ths of a plane. Just married Jerilyn, July of 2009. Congratulations!
 
Steve Steve Ballard

Towpilot, Glider CFI,   (CFI AMI...)

ATP for a real job... Glider pilot for some real fun. Occasionally visits in his Aeronca Champ.

John Shmoldas
Towpilot, Comml Glider
Consultant, guided bomb designer, partner in Discus B.

Mark Grubb
Towpilot, Glider CFI
Chemistry/science teacher, geologist, 1000 km badge, AS-W 20 owner. Keeper of Dad's Super Cub.

Line Crew Champions:
Ryan Oakes, beginner for 2008, Aug '10 solo?
Jerilyn Quesnel, pre-solo student for 2008.

These youngsters work/barter for their flight lessons at Caracole.