Advanced Training
We provide multiple advanced training programs for SOSA pilots, each aimed at enhancing different skills & abilities post license.
Bronze Badge Program
The Bronze Badge training curriculum at SOSA is designed to help newly-licensed pilots pursue cross-country flying.
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Each winter, participants receive online training and begin preparations for completing the in-person exercises. Then, once the flying season begins, in-person training begins with lessons in rigging/de-rigging and the Junior, as well as glider trailer towing.
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Flying training with an instructor covers off-field landing selection, off-field landing at a local grass strip, speed to fly, final glide calculations and map reading.
Participant progress is tracked on their Cross-Country PTR Cards as they gather the necessary endorsements. Once completed the pilot is ready to try their first 50km flight.
Aerobatic Training
We offer Canada's largest and longest running glider aerobatic training program, where our team has been offering one-on-one glider aerobatic training to SOSA pilots for over 15 years.
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We have built a comprehensive curriculum to support a variety of pilot skills & goals:
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Improved piloting skills
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Unusual attitude recovery
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Aerobatic maneuver (dual or solo)
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Aerobatic competition flying
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Aerobatic Instructing
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Each lesson comes with focused ground briefings to maximize learning during the in-flight portion of your training.
Cross Country Clinic
SOSA provides an annual one-week training course aimed at enhancing your cross-country soaring abilities. The week long clinic comprises all aspects one needs to successfully and safely prepare, plan, and perform long flights in the southern Ontario task area.
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Assuming good flying weather, attendees should plan on spending the entire day at the field. A registration charge is required to cover expenses, with any surplus to be allocated to the Junior Jantar fund or contest participation.
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The clinic is open to non SOSA pilots, contact us for info.
Cross Country Mentors
Just as we have a well defined path for training ab-initio students to become licensed, we also aim to have a clear progression for newly licensed pilots to become accomplished XC pilots.
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Part of this program is the opportunity to be assigned a XC Mentor. The Mentor provides advice and coaching prior to and following each cross country task the novice attempts. Mentors are assigned by the CFI and we pair up Mentors with Novices based on their goals and skill level.
Instructor Training
SOSA's CFI team invests time each year to identify those SOSA pilots who may have potential to be capable and passionate gliding instructors.
Training is done one-on-one with an instructor mentor and using the online training provided by the Soaring Association of Canada.
