Read the sky
Learn how wind, lift, clouds, and terrain shape every flight.
GLIDING & SOARINGFlight Begins
Flight Begins
With the Air Around You.
Gliders turn weather, judgment, and precise aircraft control into a quiet, hands-on way to enter aviation.
WHY TRY GLIDING?
A Different First Step Into Aviation
You do not need prior flight experience to take a lesson. A certified instructor flies with you while you learn how a sailplane is launched, controlled, and safely returned to the runway.
Fly the aircraft
Build coordination, judgment, and energy-management skills with an instructor.
Join a community
Meet instructors, mentors, youth pilots, and volunteers at soaring clubs.
U.S. TRAINING MILESTONES
You Can Start Before You Can Solo.
The FAA does not set a minimum age to begin lessons with an instructor. A student pilot certificate for glider solo flight is available at 14, and a private glider certificate is available at 16.
- 01Take an introductory flightVisit a local club or commercial soaring site and fly with an instructor.
- 02Train toward soloBuild safe launch, landing, aircraft-control, and decision-making skills.
- 03Keep building your pathwayContinue toward a certificate, competitions, scholarships, mentoring, or powered flight.
STARTING POINTS
Turn Interest Into a First Flight
Soaring Society of America
Use the national Where to Fly map to find clubs, commercial glider schools, and instruction.
Open the official map ↗Glider Scholarships
Compare SSA and WSPA awards for beginner training, certificates, camps, and advanced ratings.
View glider scholarships →Women’s Soaring Pilots Association
Discover scholarships, seminars, mentorship, and a community supporting women in soaring.
Explore WSPA →