Joining The Club

 

Come Fly With Us!

We're glad that you've had a chance to browse through our site. If you're interested in coming out to fly with us, please read on!  (Note: Be sure to you've read the link to "Training".)

The Club

Skyline Soaring Club, Inc. (SSC) is a private, 501(c7) non-profit organization that is dedicated to the enjoyment and promotion of the sport of soaring. SSC is an affiliate club of the Soaring Society of America (SSA) and everyone operating SCC equipment is required to have a current SSA membership. Some of our pilots are novice students who've just started in aviation. Some are expert pilots with decades of aviation experience behind them. We currently number around 100 active members.

SSC is dedicated to training and advancing pilots beyond the basics of soaring. Whether this is your first flight or your thousandth, you're welcome in our midst.

Your First Glider Flight

The Soaring Society of America (SSA) acts as an ‘umbrella’ organization for soaring in the United States by representing the collective interests of its members, including clubs like Skyline Soaring. Their excellent website includes useful background explaining what soaring is, and how training is generally conducted.  The SSA sponsors a program called Fly A Sailplane Today (FAST), which makes it possible for you to try a first glider flight, with instruction by a qualified instructor, at any of the participating locations, at a very reasonable introductory price (currently $139).  As a non-profit organization, Skyline Soaring does not 'sell' glider rides, but the FAST program makes it possible to temporarily join the SSA, and be covered by club insurance, so you can fly here.  If this interests you, you can visit the FAST link above, purchase a FAST voucher, and then contact our Membership Officer by email at welcome@skylinesoaring.org to schedule a flight at a time that suits your schedule and when we can accommodate you. We are not able to accept walk-on FAST flyers at the airfield, though you are more than welcome to come out and visit to see the operation in advance if you like.  [Directions to the airport]

Note - Gliders are sensitive to weight and balance, and the weight of those aboard does matter. If you weigh more than 240 lbs, please let us know when you contact us for a first flight, so we can address the specifics on this with you personally.

The Introductory Membership Program

The aim of our Introductory Membership Program is to help you learn more about soaring in general, and Skyline Soaring Club in particular, without a commitment to permanent membership. We offer a 45-day Introductory Membership for $60, at the conclusion of which you can make an informed decision about whether you might want to join Skyline Soaring as a regular member.  Introductory Memberships are available to students, including those that have just done a FAST flight, as well as to licensed glider pilots who are looking for a Soaring club to join.  

During the period of an Introductory Membership, you will be able to fly at normal club rates for glider rental and tows (listed below).  There is never an instructor fee.

We do reserve the right to limit new Introductory Memberships for student pilots, based solely on availability of our gliders, towplanes, and instructors, relative to the instructional needs of existing members.  If we are unable to accept your application for an Introductory Membership, we will be happy to put you on a wait list, and notify you when an opportunity opens up.

If you are interested in an Introductory Membership, contact the Membership Officer by email at welcome@skylinesoaring.org  -- he will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Club Membership

Anyone interested in establishing a regular relationship with Skyline Soaring, please consult the Membership Officer directly by email, welcome@skylinesoaring.org

Safety

A primary Skyline Soaring principle is safety. Everyone plays a role in keeping our operation safe. During your introductory membership, you'll observe and be made a part of several standardized safety procedures. If you want to understand how or why something's being done, please ask. If you see anything that you wonder about, let us know. Safety is the responsibility of everyone on the field.

During your time with us, you're bound to have many questions about soaring. Please ask. Again, welcome to our operation. We appreciate the opportunity to share this wonderful experience with you. And most importantly, Enjoy!!!

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FEE SCHEDULE

Initiation Fee	$750	$375 due with application; $375 due at end of first year.
Annual Dues	$615	Skyline Soaring Club dues pro-rated at $45/month, due January 1 of each year,  plus $75 per year for Soaring Society of America dues
Aircraft Rental	ASK-21 #1	$39.00/hr ($0.65/min)
	ASK-21 #2	$39.00/hr ($0.65/min)
	Discus CS	$36.00/hr ($0.60/min)
	SGS 1-36	$15.00/hr ($0.25/min) ($45/maximum per flight)
Tow Fees	Hookup	$22.00
	2000'	$30.00
	3000'	$38.00
	4000'	$46.00
Flight Instruction	ALWAYS FREE