Soaring is motorless flight, using a sailplane and natural occurring atmospheric phenomena, called "LIFT", to gain altitude and stay aloft.

Lift in the atmosphere occurs in three primary forms. Thermals are by far the most prevalent of lifting sources available to the soaring pilot. They are generated by the heat of the ground radiating upwards to the air directly above. The heated air rises in a vertical column, almost donut shaped, and eventually reaches the condensation level of the airmass, and a cloud is formed. By circling inside this rising mass of air a glider pilot can gain altitude as quickly as 1000 feet per minute, and can reach heights of 12000 feet on a good day in the southern Interior of British Columbia.

Ridge lift is another form of rising air. In this instance a prevailing wind rushes against a long hill or ridge of hills and the air is forced upwards over the hills. If the hills are high enough, and if the run of hills is long enough, great distances can be covered by the sailplane without ever needing to circle in lift. Essentially, once the airspeed required to produce lift for the sailplane wings is produced, the excess airspeed is converted into extra height, or extra forward speed. In North America the best ridge is the Bald Eagle Ridge which goes from Northern Pennsylvania into Tennessee. Distance flights of over 1000km have been recorded along this ridge.

Mountain Wave is the third form of lift used in soaring. If a strong wind blows over a row of mountains it may set up a sine wave in the atmosphere, much like water in a river passing over a pebble. The air in a mountain wave can rise or descend as much as 2000 feet per minute, and the phenomenon can exist up to over 50 000 feet of altitude. The current world record for an altitude gain was set in wave, and it surpasses 49 000 feet. Above this height a pressure suit is required.

Learning to Soar

In Canada almost all training takes place at gliding clubs. Instruction is usually free of charge, a student only pays for launches and rental of the glider. However, belonging to a club means paying a membership fee. Included in this fee is usually your SAC dues, which provides the pilot with third party liability insurance lest they land on something, or someone, and cause damage. Also, SAC provides a high quality magazine which is published once every two months and mailed to all members.

Clubs vary in size and structure, but everyone goes to the gliding club for the same reason, to fly. After taking an introductory flight you may decide to pursue your lessons in earnest. Your club's CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) will help you set up your agenda and find you the best instructor for your needs. From that point onward you will train until you are ready to solo, or fly by yourself (without the excess weight of the instructor in the back seat). After that you will get your license and hopefully pursue some personal goals, be they cross-country flight, instructing, or just flying around the club for fun!

Your license is just the beginning, and remember, it's a license to learn!