Gliding FAQs
Frequently asked questions about gliding, gliding clubs, cross country soaring and more.
Introductory Flights
Everything you need to know about our introductory flights and how to prepare
Where is SOSA Gliding Club?
SOSA Gliding Club operates out of Rockton Aerodrome located at 1144 Cooper Road which is off Highway 8, between Cambridge & Rockton.
Where should I park?
Please follow the signs for visitor parking to the large gravel parking lot next to our clubhouse. There are flag poles and signs indicating it is SOSA Gliding Club and there will likely already be some cars parked. Do not park in any other areas of the gliding club.
What should I wear for the flight?
Dress for the weather; the layered approach is best. Even on nice days SOSA can be cool and windy. We recommend bringing one more layer than you think you need. Other items you may want: a small brimmed hat, sunglasses and some sunscreen. You will also want to bring plenty of water for yourself, and potentially some snacks.
When should I arrive?
At least 15 minutes before your scheduled flight time.
How long is the flight?
The flight will last 25 – 30 minutes.
What are the age limits for a flight?
There are no real age restrictions for taking an Intro Flight. Young people should be mature enough to accept instruction (generally 12 and up) and tall enough (4.5ft) to see out of the glider. For older people, if you can get in and out of a bathtub unaided you should be able to get in and out of a glider. All passengers are required to complete an information and release form before any flight. Persons under 18 years of age require the signature of a parent or legal guardian. Please contact us if you have any further questions or concerns.
Will I fit into a glider?
Any pilot will tell you it is important to reach the rudder pedals. Generally speaking if you are taller than 4.5 ft you should be able to reach. However, if you are taller than 6.5 ft you may not fit inside the canopy. Also worth considering is your weight. Ballast can usually be added for people who weigh less than 154lbs (70kg), but you will not be able to fly if you weigh more than 230lbs (104kg). Aerobatic intro flights have a weight limit of 210lbs (95kg). Please contact us if you have any further questions or concerns.
What if I feel sick?
Your pilot will brief you on what to do if you start to feel unwell during your flight. We carry sick bags in the glider, should you need to use one and the flight can be cut short if that is best. Generally, we can continue the flight after opening the air vents for some more fresh air and with the pilot flying as gently as possible.
Can I fly if I have a physical disability?
We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements before booking.
What happens if we have bad weather the day of my flight?
We do not typically fly introductory flights if there is very low cloud, high winds, heavy rain, or thunderstorms. However, there are many days we can fly that include some cloud, winds, or rain in the forecast. We will contact you in advance if the weather forecast is very bad and reschedule your flight. If in doubt, email us the morning of your flight for an update.
Does the gift certificate expire?
Gift certificates are valid for two years from the day we issue them.
Will I be able to control the glider?
All our gliders have dual controls in the front and back seats. This means that you will be able to see everything your pilot is doing as they control the glider throughout your flight. If the pilot feels it is safe, they may allow you to experience flying the glider by either following their inputs on the controls or by completely controlling the glider yourself. The pilot will always be watching closely and will be ready to retake control immediately should they need to.
Isn't flying a glider expensive?
It's not free, but gliding is certainly good value for money! Once you're qualified, renting a glider costs about $60 per hour plus about $45 for towing the glider to altitude. Renting a single-engine aircraft could cost 2 times this. Check out our prices and compare them to the costs of powered flying - you'll be pleasantly surprised. Many people learn to fly first in gliders and then use these skills to shorten their powered-flight training time. Most new members spend about $3000 in their first year at SOSA.
How safe is gliding?
Safety is integral to everything we do at SOSA. Gliding is very safe. Gliders are very strongly built and there is no engine to fail. However like any adventure sport (skiing, scuba diving, skydiving, etc) it is subject to its own risks. All possible steps are taken to mitigate these risks. Our pilots are trained to high Soaring Association Canada standards and subject to annual checks. All of our aircraft undergo an inspection each day they fly and are subject to ongoing preventative inspections, and maintenance by licensed aircraft maintenance engineers.
Student Training
Answers to common questions about our student training program and what it's like learn to fly with SOSA.
How long does it take to go solo?
Many student pilots go solo in their first year of membership at the club. If you can commit to flying at the club on at least a weekly basis, students typically solo in 30-50 flights, although some students can take longer.
How long does it take to complete the glider pilot license?
There are a number of flying and non-flying requirements for the Transport Canada Glider Pilot License. It typically takes 1.5 to 2 years for new pilots to complete all requirements. Students are encouraged to focus on their flying during the summer months and complete exams, etc during the winter.
What is the best way to get started?
If you are completely new to flying, we recommend signing up for our Intro to Gliding Online Class. This short course qualifies as 8 hours of the ground school required for your license and gives new students a solid foundation of theory before they begin their flying training.
How often can I fly?
We have regular weekly training operations on Tuesday evenings, Friday evenings, and all day on the weekend. This is when you will conduct the bulk of your flying training.
Students typically complete two flights back-to-back with the same instructor. During the course of a full flying day, keen students can expect to fly 4-6 times.
How long are the flights?
Flights with an instructor typically last 15-30 minutes, depending on the conditions and the lesson plan. If the weather is good for thermalling, your instructor may elect to continue the lesson for up to 1 hour.
How long should I plan to be at SOSA on flying days?
We encourage students to plan to be at SOSA all day if possible. If not, then attending for either the morning or the afternoon is best. This will give you plenty of time to fly and to help with getting equipment set up / put away as needed.
What is required of students when they're at SOSA?
SOSA is a 100% volunteer operation and everyone is required to chip in. Students will be expected to arrive early to help get gliders and equipment ready for the day's flying. They will also be expected to help out at the flight line, launching and retrieving gliders.
Is there an age limit?
Young people should be mature enough to accept instruction (generally 14 and up) and tall enough (5ft) to see out of the glider. You must be 14 to go solo and 16 to complete your license. Persons under 18 years of age require the signature of a parent or legal guardian to join SOSA.
For older people, if you can get in and out of a bathtub unaided you should be able to get in and out of a glider. For a Student Pilot Permit during flight training, Transport Canada requires that you provide a declaration of your medical fitness before flying solo without an instructor. If you have experienced any of their listed conditions from the above form, then you would also require a certificate from a Transport-Canada approved Aviation Medical Examiner to confirm your fitness.
Please contact us if you have any further questions or concerns.
Joining SOSA
Interested in joining SOSA? You can apply to join directly via the website. Here's some commonly requested info to help you with the process.
How do I join SOSA?
You join SOSA by completing the application form on our website. A member of our team will reach out to you to discuss next steps.
Why do I have to become a member?
All pilots must join SOSA and the Soaring Association of Canada in order to operate SOSA equipment, fly SOSA gliders, and fulfill SOSA procedures.
Why is there a waiting list?
To ensure that new members joining SOSA have access to the resources they need to be successful, we have implemented a new student waitlist. There are a limited number of slots available each spring for individuals with no prior flying experience. This helps to keep an effective instructor to student ratio and ensures that the club is able to offer consistent and meaningful progress to those learning to fly.
What is expected of members?
Like most gliding clubs, SOSA is a non-profit organization that runs on the passion and selflessness of its members. All members participate in a Duty Roster that helps to keep operations efficient and pitch in during the spring/fall work weekends. There are many opportunities to volunteer and lots of opportunities to learn new skills.
Is it too late in the year to join?
We are typically able to fly late into the fall. If it is dry, we can fly well into November. This means that you could join in August and still have plenty of time to begin your training.
General
Not sure how gliders work or when you can fly? Here are some answers to questions we often hear when guests visit the club.
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How do gliders get airborne?
At SOSA, we have two methods of launching gliders. Aerotow, where we tow the glider behind one of our three powered aircraft. Or via winch, where the glider is launched similarly to winding in a kite string.
How do gliders stay in the air?
Gliders are engineless aircraft, with long wings and a sleek profile, enabling them to glide efficiently through the air. They rely on being towed off the ground, but once airborne, gliders can stay up for hours and travel hundreds of miles.
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Gliders stay airborne by cruising in naturally occuring areas of rising air, the same used by soaring birds. In flat regions like Southern Ontario, this primarily involves "thermal" lift, while in mountainous areas, this extends to "ridge" or "hill" lift, as well as "wave" lift.
What are thermals?
Thermals form when the sun heats up a patch of ground, warming the surrounding air and releasing a "bubble" of warm rising air. On favorable days, thermals can rise until reaching the condensation level, forming small clouds known as cumulus. Glider pilots identify these clouds, anticipating a thermal underneath. Entering a thermal, the pilot turns in tight circles, keeping the glider within the thermal and causing it to climb.
Can gliders travel very far?
How far an individual glider pilot can fly is determined by the weather, their glider, their skill and some luck. On days when there is a lot of rising air, it's not uncommon for gliders based at SOSA to fly a triangle similar to London and Owen Sound and then back covering 500 kilometres.
How fast can gliders go?
You'd be surprised ! Our Duo Discus two-seater glider, which we use for cross country and advanced training, has a maximum speed of 263 km/h! Although usually we tend to fly somewhat slower, at around 100 km/h or so.
Do you need to be super-fit, super-strong, have perfect eyesight?
Actually no. The medical requirements for gliding are roughly comparable to those required for driving. If you can safely drive a car, you can probably fly.
Does it need to be windy for gliders to fly?
It does not! Gliders can fly on completely calm days, or in reasonably strong winds. We will not fly if conditions are too windy/gusty, if it is raining constantly (showers are OK), or if mist or low cloud restricts visibility.
Does it have to be a hot day?
No. The 'thermals' (raising air pockets that help gliders gain altitude) are created as a difference of temperature on the ground related to its surroundings. Cold days are just as capable of generating thermals as hot days.
How long can gliders fly for?
Beginner pilots will generally have flights of 15-30 minutes at a time, in a two-seat glider with their instructor, while they learn and progress towards solo. Once solo, it is a matter of how long you would like to fly and if conditions allow for long flights. Seasoned pilots regularly log flights of up to 5 hours when flying cross country.