Who We Are

We are an association of independently owned and operated soaring centers that provide glider rides to the public. We've joined together to promote and protect the sport of soaring.

Why Have We Put Together This Web Site?

Our industry has recently been attacked by unscrupulous online gift certificate sellers who are hurting both consumers and soaring centers (see below.) Use this directory to see who does and does not accept gift certificates sold by national ticket agencies. If you have any questions, contact the soaring center to make sure that they will accept gift certificates sold by any online sellers before you buy. If they don't, you can buy directly from most of them. (Note that as of 1/12/2008 we're still gathering information about which centers do or do not accept tickets sold by other agencies. Again, when in doubt, contact the soaring center directly.)

What Is Soaring?

The sport of soaring involves FAA licensed pilots flying FAA certified sailplanes, which are also known as gliders, (not to be confused with hang gliders). The thrill of soaring involves staying aloft without an engine, maneuvering like hawks. Sailplanes offer excellent visibility for thrilling views. They typically carry one passenger plus an FAA commercial pilot but a few glider ride operators have a larger glider that can carry two passengers plus the pilot. The maximum passenger weight limit is usually between 200 and 250 lbs except in the larger gliders which can carry between 300 and 350 lbs for the passenger or combined passengers' weight. Please ask the ride operator you plan to use about their gliders' weight limits.

Glider Ride Locations:

Why to Use Caution When Buying Gift Certificates:

Please be aware of gift certificate ticket agency web sites that can deceive you into thinking they have a local glider operator in your area when, in many cases, they do not have one for hundreds of miles. That's why we're providing this directory of local soaring and gliding sites. Glider ride operators are not the only ones in the aviation ride industry to have been affected by them. Here is a local Fox News Story that details the problem. If you feel that you have been scammed in any way by someone selling glider ride gift certificates please let your nearest glider operator know about it. Glider rides are FUN and we aim to keep it that way!

Below are some websites that other aviation businesses have created to warn people about problems they have had with gift certificate ticket agencies:

All text and images copyright 2007 www.glidersailplanerides.com. All rights reserved.