Glider and Towplane Fleet

SOSA has the largest and most modern glider training fleet in Canada, with 10 gliders of varying types, enabling you to progress from your first lesson through to high-performance solo cross-country soaring and competition flying.

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Basic Training

The backbone of every club is a reliable fleet of training aircraft. With three Alexander Schleicher ASK-21s, SOSA is well-equipped to train large numbers of beginner students. With its docile flight characteristics and easy handling, the ASK-21 is a true favourite among students and instructors.

Schleicher ASK-21
Registration: C-GXPY
Common Name: "Papa Yankee"
Wingspan: 17m
Max Glide Ratio: 34:1
Primary Use: Basic glider training

Schleicher ASK-21b
Registration: C-GDXX
Common name: "X-ray X-ray"
Wingspan: 17m
Max Glide Ratio: 34:1
Primary Use: Basic glider training

Schleicher ASK-21b
Registration: C-GDYJ
Common Name: "Yankee Juliet" 
Wingspan: 17m
Max Glide Ratio: 34:1
Primary Use: Basic glider training

Advanced Training and Aerobatics

SOSA provides a number of comprehensive advanced training programs designed to take you well beyond license standard and a full fleet of advanced 2-seat gliders to make it happen.

Duo Discus XL
Registration: C-FRNV
Common Name: "The Duo"
Wingspan: 20m
Max Glide Ratio: 46:1
Primary Use: Advanced cross-country training  

Coming Soon!
​DG-1001 Club Neo 
Wingspan: 18m (20m with tips)
Max Glide Ratio: 40:1 (46:1)
Primary Use: Advanced cross-country training and aerobatics

Single Seat Gliders

The single-seat SZD 51-1 is designed for newer glider pilots and is recognized around the world as solid, safe and nice to fly. This is the plane for your first solo cross-country milestone, the Bronze Badge.

PZL Junior SZD 51-1
Registration: C-GZCA
Common Name: "ZCA"
Wingspan: 15m
Max Glide Ratio: 35:1
Primary Use: Initial cross country flying

PZL Junior SZD 51-1
Registration: C-GPNN
Common Name: "PNN"
Wingspan: 15m
Max Glide Ratio: 35:1
Primary Use: Initial cross country flying

PZL Junior SZD 51-1
Registration: C-FSXN
Common Name: "SXN"
Wingspan: 15m
Max Glide Ratio: 35:1
Primary Use: Initial cross country flying

Advanced Single Seat Gliders

SOSA's Discus 2b's are available to all qualified members for cross country soaring and competitions.

Schempp-Hirth Discus 2b
Registration: C-FCDD
Contest ID: "Delta Delta"
Wingspan: 15m
Max Glide Ratio: 45:1
Primary Use: Cross country and competition flying

Schempp-Hirth Discus 2b
Registration: C-GYOH
Contest ID: "Bravo Papa"
Wingspan: 15m
Max Glide Ratio: 45:1
Primary Use: Cross country and competition flying

Towplanes

Our primary method for launching gliders throughout the soaring season is aerotowing behind two powerful Piper Pawnees and a Bellanca Citabria; the latter also serves as our tow pilot training aircraft.

Piper Pawnee PA-25-260
Registration: C-GBWY
Horsepower: 260
Commonly name: "Bee Wee"
Primary Use: Towing

Piper Pawnee PA-25-235
Registration: C-GXWI
Horsepower: 250
Common name: "Whiskey India"
Primary Use: Towing

Bellanca Citabria 7GCBC
Registration: C-GKXJ
Horsepower: 180
Common Name: "X-Ray Juliet"
Primary Use: Towing and tow pilot training

Winch Launch

Our winch, powered by a 350-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette engine, is used regularly throughout the season for cost-effective student and pilot training and is our primary launch method during the winter.