Try gliding with an introductory flight
Whether you are an aviation novice or are returning to experience the thrill again, a glider flight is a fantastic experience for everyone. What could be more exciting than dancing under the clouds, soaring like an eagle, or daring some light aerobatics, all through the 'magic' of silent, zero-emissions flight.
Introductory flights are scheduled May–Oct, and are subject to weather conditions.
Flights purchased after Sep 20, 2024 might not fly until May 2025.
Overview
An Introductory flight from SOSA is the best way to enjoy the thrill of flying as well as a unique way to see the beauty of Southern Ontario. On clear weather days you can see the skyline of Toronto, the shores of Lakes Ontario and Erie and make out the Niagara Escarpment; some have even been able to make out the mist rising from Niagara Falls.
Guests will enjoy a flight with a licensed pilot lasting about 20-30 minutes. Once airborne, you can follow along on the controls with your pilot to experience the adventure of flying firsthand.
This is truly an adventure everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Guests will enjoy a flight with a licensed pilot lasting about 20-30 minutes. Once airborne, you can follow along on the controls with your pilot to experience the adventure of flying firsthand.
This is truly an adventure everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
What to expect1. Booking your flight
Booking an Introductory flight is as easy as selecting one of the options above and completing the checkout flow. You can purchase introductory flights for yourself and/or someone you know. Once you have purchased a flight, we will contact you via email to send a printable flight certificate and to arrange a convenient date/time for the flight to occur. Please make sure to keep an eye out for emails from gift-certificate[at]sosaglidingclub.com and to check your junk folder just in case. 2. Arriving at the Airfield Plan to show up at the airfield about 15 mins before your scheduled flight time. You will find parking available at our main entrance by our clubhouse. From there you and your party will want to make your way to the flight line. The flight line for the day will be marked by the large yellow school bus. When walking to the flight line please be direct and alert as you will be crossing runways and taxiways. Remember we are an active airport and while tow planes are bright, loud and obvious, gliders are white, silent and can be harder to see. If unsure, look for a club member. They will be happy to brief you on our airfield operations and point you toward the active flight line. 3. At the Flight Line Once at the flight line you will want to connect with the Intro Coordinator or the Field Manager to let them know you have arrived and are excited for your flight. Any and all SOSA members are happy to answer any questions you have and help point you in the right direction. The Intro Coordinator or Field Manager will introduce you to your pilot and she/he will brief you on your experience. The briefing will include an introduction to normal flight operations and safety procedures, the weather outlook and what you can expect during your flight. Your pilot will guide you through the small amount of paperwork to be completed ahead of your flight and soon you will be headed over to your plane. 4. Jump In The Passenger Seat! Once one of our two-seat gliders is available your pilot will escort you over and begin to familiarize you with the aircraft and get you secured in your seat. The pilot will show you the controls and features of the aircraft as well as what to expect on launch and take-off. Your pilot will then perform a brief walk around of the aircraft followed by taking their position in the cockpit and performing pre-flight checks to get ready for your launch. This is a great opportunity to get some photos! 5. The Take Off and the Flight Now that all the briefings and pre-flight checks are complete your flight is about to begin. The flight-line crew will hook up the glider to the tow plane and your pilot will give a thumbs-up from the back, and your take-off roll will commence. Things will be slightly bumpy at the beginning but in just a few short seconds the glider will be off the ground and you will be flying! You will be towed to 3000’ AGL (above ground) where your pilot will release from the tow plane and you will truly then be experiencing the thrill of soaring! During your 20-30 min flight your pilot will point out the local landmarks and scenery, demonstrate the controls and if you like, you can take a turn on the stick to fly the aircraft. Of course you can take photos during your flight, small handheld cameras and mobile phones are best, large DSLRs are not ideal as they are too big for the cockpit. 6. Landing and Roll-off All good things must come to an end. Towards the end of your flight your pilot will begin a series of pre-landing checks to ensure the aircraft is properly configured for landing. Once complete, you will be approaching SOSA airport on your left. This is another great time to catch some photos of the operation from the air. After touchdown the pilot will roll your glider to a smooth stop off the runway. Your pilot will give you the all clear that it is safe to exit the cockpit. Once outside the aircraft you will want to stay close to your pilot as again you will be close to an active runway. While the aircraft is taxied back to the flight line this is a great opportunity to reflect on your flight with your pilot and next steps on flying. You may want to discuss another introductory flight in the future or taking the first step to learning to fly by joining the club. |
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Don't just take our word for it
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"I've wanted to fly in a glider for a few years. This year, my husband gave me an intro experience for my birthday. I went on a Monday and had a wonderful time. This club is run by volunteers, so the vibe is chill and casual. They made it an informative and thoroughly entertaining experience, super friendly. My flight was as I hoped, so graceful, peaceful, floating in the air like a bird. It only made me want to do more!"
– Sann |
"The introductory flight is a must-do experience! Booking was seamless; they promptly responded to my email and guided me through the booking process. The grounds are well maintained, and everyone there is friendly. Our pilot was great! He took his time explaining everything to us. The flight itself was fantastic. It is so quiet up there. Thank you, SOSA Gliding club! I had a great day!"
– Akezia |
Book an introductory flight today!
Introductory flights are scheduled May–Oct, and are subject to weather conditions.
Flights purchased after Sep 20, 2024 might not fly until May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
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 main clubhouse building. There are flag poles and signs indicating it is SOSA Gliding Club and there will likely already be some cars parked. Please 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. Also you will want to bring plenty of water for yourself, and potentially some snacks. People often tell us they have quite an appetite after the adrenaline rush of their first flight.
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 cockpit. Also worth considering is your weight. You must weigh less than 240lbs (108kg) for a Midweek or Weekend intro, and 210lbs (95kg) or less for an aerobatic intro flight. For those on the lighter side, ballast can usually be added to ensure we reach the 154lbs (70kg) minimum required. 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 $35 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.
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 main clubhouse building. There are flag poles and signs indicating it is SOSA Gliding Club and there will likely already be some cars parked. Please 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. Also you will want to bring plenty of water for yourself, and potentially some snacks. People often tell us they have quite an appetite after the adrenaline rush of their first flight.
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 cockpit. Also worth considering is your weight. You must weigh less than 240lbs (108kg) for a Midweek or Weekend intro, and 210lbs (95kg) or less for an aerobatic intro flight. For those on the lighter side, ballast can usually be added to ensure we reach the 154lbs (70kg) minimum required. 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 $35 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.