Club Updates From Regions 1-3

As part of their update for the April 11 SSA Board of Directors meeting, regional directors submitted reports of what clubs in their region are doing. To help keep you informed, SSA is publishing the reports so you can learn more about what other clubs are doing across the country.

Regional Director Joe May submitted the following report for Regions 1-3, which includes the Adirondack Soaring Association, Connecticut Soaring Association, Harris Hill Soaring Corporation, and Sugarbush Soaring Corporation.

Still running around 100 members. With three Grob 103’s, one Grob 102, and two Pawnees. We have around 25 privately owned sailplanes. We have access to two Duo Discus’s for Cross Country Training. We had a tough winter and ultimately had no flying from January until March. Our glider assembly day was scheduled on Saturday, March 22 to kick off our soaring season. We were able to achieve nearly a dozen licenses last year. We did not host any events or encampments last year.

Tim Hanke
Operations/ Treasurer, Adirondack Soaring Association

In 2024, the Connecticut Soaring Association (CSA) saw 360 glider launches with the successful inauguration of midweek soaring. CSA celebrated three glider solo flights, including first glider solos by one junior member and by two transitioning power pilots. Our SGS 1-34 successfully completed its two-year refurbishment to rejoin our 1-26 and two 2-33s on the flight line complemented by 4 glass gliders owned by club members.

In 2025, CSA is working to exceed 400 glider launches and to move five club members on to their glider ratings. To grow club membership, CSA has started an “Intro to Soaring” presentation for EAA Chapters in our region with the aim of recruiting transition pilots (potential short track to glider solo and glider add-on ratings) as well as tow wheel qualified pilots who might fly tow in our Pawnee. We will continue efforts to grow our midweek soaring, which tends to attract retired pilots and weekend workers.
The CSA junior soaring membership is active with five members, including two solo student pilots. A shortage of CFI-Gs and tow pilots continues to pose a challenge for CSA as our roster includes only two CFI-Gs and four tow pilots.

Joseph Palmisano
President, Connecticut Soaring Association

• Membership: 82 Senior Active, 42 Associate Members, and 33 Junior members for a total of 157 members. Membership increased 10%.
• Flying Activity: We flew over 2,350 club flights, of which 636 were passenger flights and 514 were junior member flights.
• Ground School was conducted at the Flight Center during February and March. We had 30-plus participants and covered the Russell Holtz curriculum.
• Junior Summer Camp was conducted June 24-28 with 23 junior participants
• The IVSM 2024 and Vintage Sailplane Association 50th Anniversary was held July 6-13 with 140 registered participants, and 24 vintage sailplanes. The international community was well represented with participants from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Canada.
• John “Corky” Gill presented the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award
• Hosted Region 3 Contest August 4-10.
• Senior Summer Camp conducted August 19-23 with about 10 participants
• Club members participated in regional contests at Elmira, Perry, Mifflin, and Wurtsboro. One member flew for the U.S. Team at the Uvalde World Contest.
• Training: seven initial solos, three new private glider pilots, four new commercial pilots, two new CFIGs, two new tow pilots and multiple badges.
• Snowbird 2024 was held November 28-29 at HHSC.
• We will host the Club Class Nationals and Region 3 Contest in 2025.

Joseph A. May
President, Harris Hill Soaring Corporation

The 2024 season was filled with milestones and teamwork-driven achievements at Sugarbush Soaring Association. We welcomed a new tow pilot, requalified another, and celebrated multiple pilot milestones, including three initial solos, two power pilots soloing in gliders, and one glider pilot soloing in a powered aircraft.

We also saw a commercial glider add-on and an initial private pilot check ride in gliders. Our dedicated team trained two new line crew members and successfully ran three Youth Soaring Camps, fostering the next generation of aviators. It was a season of growth, learning, and community.

Tom Anderson
Operations Director, Sugarbush Soaring Association