Questions?
What is soaring?
Soaring is the adventure into the world of silent flight. Sailplanes, or gliders, are special aircraft which have no engines. Sailplanes are towed into the sky by a regular airplane and then released for a quiet glide back to the airport or when conditions permit, sailplane pilots challenge gravity using natural currents in the air. An introductory flight generally lasts 20 minutes while an instructional flight, where pilot and student are working to gain altitude by riding rising thermal currents, may last for as long as two hours.
What kind of airplane do you use?
The aircraft that we operate are all two-seat aircraft. A Grob Twin Astir, Grob 103 and an L-13 Blanik are our current aircraft. Freedoms Wings Canada and Freedoms Wings International ensure that the new aircraft has meet both the needs of pilots with disabilities and all the necessary Transport Canada and FAA regulations
What is Freedoms Wings?
Freedoms’ Wings is a strategic alliance between a gliding club, a registered charity and groups of people with disabilities. We established our first chapter in 2003 to provide Inspiration Flights to persons with disabilities and to provide flight training to those who are able.
This program gives people with disabilities the chance to experience the freedom of sailplane flying or soaring and to become educated in the operation and control of such aircraft, with a view to eventual certification where possible and practical.
Each Freedoms Wings Canada chapter may establish an advisory board to coordinate flight operations, community outreach and budgeting.
What happens when I fly?
We begin flying each day (weather permitting) mid morning and we stop in the late afternoon. Flights consist of a short briefing followed by a tow by a powered plane to 2000 feet and a free flight lasting 15 to 30 minutes. Then it’s back to the airfield to land and unload.
How do I reserve a time for my flight?
Contact your local chapter representative to book a date for your flight.
Where are you located?
Toronto, ON
York Soaring Association – 100km NW of Toronto in Arthur, ON
Peter Foster – pede.foster@rogers.com
Phone & Voice Mail: (647) 637-8239 Cell
Gliderport Website & Directions - www.yorksoaring.com
Airfield Office 9am-5pm (519) 848-3621 (during the season)
Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Soaring Association – Hope, British Columbia
Ray Maxwell - rmaxwell@dccnet.com
Phone & Voicemail: (604) 596-5796
Gliderport Website & Directions - www.vsa.ca
Clubhouse Phone & Voice Mail: (604) 869-7211 (seasonal)
Ottawa, ON
Gatineau Gliding
Doug Laruie-Lean - douglaswl@storm.ca
Phone & Voicemail (613) 445-3275
Gliderport Website & Directions www.gatineauglidingclub.ca
Clubhouse Phone & Voice Mail: (613) 673-5386
Vernon, BC
Silver Star Soaring
Dan Cook - cookdaniel@shaw.ca
Phone & Voicemail (250) 549-1397
Gliderport Website & Directions - www.silverstarsoaring.org