Soaring Society of America

Soaring Society of AmericaSoaring Society of America2025-05-05T15:15:14-06:00

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RECENT NEWS

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SSA Announces Grants for Clubs & Affiliates

Soaring Society of America2026-03-24T22:24:25-06:00March 24th, 2026|

2026 Rules Governing SSA National & Regional Competitions

Soaring Society of America2026-03-16T15:56:08-06:00March 16th, 2026|

FAA Annual Survey (GA & Part 135)

Soaring Society of America2026-02-26T12:57:01-07:00February 26th, 2026|

SSA Grant 2025 Interim Report

Soaring Society of America2026-02-11T12:36:12-07:00February 11th, 2026|

US Contest Pilots- Fall Pilot Survey Results

Soaring Society of America2026-01-09T12:38:53-07:00January 9th, 2026|

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Mar 24

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Let’s go to some gliders this weekend…. #soaring #soaringsocietyofamerica #soaringeagle #pilotsofinstagram #pilotslife #pilotlifestyle #piperpawnee #piperpawnee235 #flywithaopa #towpilot #gliderzone #glider #gliderpilot #glidertowing #glidertow #glidertowplane #texassoaringassociation #texassoaring

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Jun 2

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Can you spot the Nixus? Perlan Project Chief Pilot Jim Payne is flying the Nixus sailplane in the 2021 Open Class U.S. National Contest in Minden, Nev.

Jim is currently in second place, with the contest continuing through June 9. Just like the Perlan 2 space glider, Nixus is a one-of-a-kind #sailplane. It is the first ever fly-by-wire sailplane with a 28 meter (92 feet) wingspan. The next largest #gliders in this contest have 21 meter wingspans.

Check out the daily results from thesoaringsociety via link in bio.

The wings on Nixus are so thin that mechanical linkage would not fit. Designer and Builder Paulo Iscold is in Minden to support the team efforts. Owner Sergio Andrade is supporting efforts from his home in Brazil. Jim has been the test pilot of the Nixus since first flight. He set five national open class records last year.

#soaring #AirbusPerlanMission II #contest #instapilot #avgeek #Minden #soaringsocietyofamerica

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Sep 19

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Good day to be a glider pilot!

#sailplane #glider #insta360 #aviation #flying #thewarondrugs #soaring #soaringsocietyofamerica

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Feb 27

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Got some Soaring Society of America swag from my brilliant instructor Lou this weekend. My A, B, and C badges/pins. Very cool. A is for solo flight. B is solo flight of at least 30 minutes after release from 2,000 ft tow. C is pre cross country phase. I still have a lot to learn.

#garnerairport #ask21glider #gliderpilot #solopilot #soaring #tidewatersoaringsociety #soaringsocietyofamerica

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Sep 5

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Grace wants to be a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) for gliders. Earlier this year she applied for the Laze Memorial Soaring Foundation Scholarship and was awarded $4,000 to continue her training! Saturday Grace met Kelly Lazerson from the foundation to receive her scholarship at Skylark North Glider school. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, Al Bowers, former Chief Scientist of NASA’s Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center, was at the airport for an event and made time to congratulate and encourage her! What a blessed day! #GraceKalei💜 #mymiracle #2pounds12ounces #28weeks #PPROMat21weeks #69daysintheNICU #NICUbaby #NICUgraduate #PreemiePower💜 #OurGodCanMoveMountains #NowShesFlyingGlidersandSendingExperimentstotheInternationalSpaceStation #SoaringSocietyofAmerica #StudentGliderPilot #Soaring #GliderPlanes

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Sep 24

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Celebrating Girls in Aviation Day with a hot afternoon at the airfield. presley.crouch has been working hard for over a year to earn her Private Pilot Glider Certification. Very proud of our little Aviator!

bryancrouchiii
kendal.crouch
boerneairfield

#soaringsocietyofamerica
#femalepilot
#gliderpilot

elevateheraviation

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Jun 8

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FAA checkride complete! I’m properly qualified! “This certifies that David J Piatak has been found to be properly qualified and is hereby authorized in accordance with the conditions of issuance to exercise the privileges PRIVATE PILOT”. Thanks to glaab.lou a.k.a. “The Instructor” and all my friends at Tidewater Soaring Society.

#ask21glider #gliderpilot #solopilot #soaring #3VA8 #tidewatersoaringsociety #soaringsocietyofamerica

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Jul 24

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It was a hot one today (and this whole summer) but the thermals were worth it. 🦅 eaglevillesoaringclub #eaglevillesoaringclub #soaringsocietyofamerica

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Sep 17

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E9 Launched at noon under a decent sky. Made Fayetteville just before 2pm. Soldiered on to Dickson and turned the corner at 3:40.

Two big climbs back to cloud base at 6000ft got me on final glide to Puckett right at 5pm.

Biggest flight I've ever done. 300km. Distance requirement met for SSA gold badge and maybe diamond goal. #asw20 #soaringsocietyofamerica

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Jun 4

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Second attempt at a 500km FAI triangle from Eagleville yesterday.

Made the first turnpoint near Huntsville, AL, a bit behind schedule. Lost time in turbulent lift South of Winchester, TN, on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau. Abandoned the task soon after and headed home under a great looking sky that wasn't going to last long enough to close the triangle.

Ended the day with a 150+ mph high speed pass over the runway. #asw20 #soaringsocietyofamerica

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Apr 27

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17 hours in this cockpit last week in challenging flying conditions was good enough for 3rd place in Sports class at Region 5 North. #soaringsocietyofamerica

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Apr 27

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Fire after the closing dinner at this week's amazing Region 5 North contest at Perry, South Carolina #soaringsocietyofamerica