Fly like an Eagle: the Art of Soaring Vermont

Vermont comes alive in the spring and the best views of the doubly verdant Green Mountain State—with an emphasis on the green—is from the sky. And the best place to be in the sky above Vermont is in a sailplane. Flying gliders for fun and profit has been a tradition in Vermont since the 1930s. Today, several airports offer residents and tourists glider rides above the fields, forests and peaks of the state. Flying in a sailplane is like no other flying experience—unless you're ready for hang gliding. Gliders are quiet and there's nothing to distract passengers from enjoying the closest thing to being a bird. With their long, light high-lift wings, sailplanes are ultra safe. According to various reports, there are fewer sailplane accidents than powered aircraft. Designed to ride the thermal uplifts of the atmosphere like soaring birds of prey, sailplanes are typically towed to altitude by an airplane and then—at the right elevation and location—released to soar for hours at a time. Some glider pilots have broken altitude records, soaring to levels not too far below where only commercial jets dare to travel. Of course, only skilled pilots with onboard oxygen and heated flight suits have dared to venture into these rarefied regions of the upper troposphere. Closer to Mother Earth, there are two prime airports in central Vermont which are the jewels in the state's soaring crown. Perhaps best known to sailplane pilots and thrill-seeking tourists alike is the Sugarbush, Vt., Airport, home of Sugarbush Soaring. As the pilots of Sugarbush Soaring describe it, theirs is not only a commercial operation—it's also a fun club with an active social scene. "Soaring is a special sport, and if you're interested in joining us in the sky we would love to show you around our beautiful airport," says Gail Webster who manages the soaring scene's office. "One way to learn about our club and our sport is to simply drop by. Anyone on the field would be happy to show you around, answer your questions, introduce you to the instructors and other club members, and let you sit in a glider. Should you decide to fly with us, you'll find that is considerably cheaper once you join the club." But remember—you don't have to join the Sugarbush Soaring Club to take your first joy ride. Several pilots, including Rick Hanson, Tim Larsen, Mark Bigelow, Graham, Ramsden, Steve Platt, Jen Stamp, John Tracy, and Bill Stinson, are on hand at the Sugarbush Airport to take you on a flight or teach you how to fly a glider yourself. At Sugarbush, Bill Stinson is the former airport manager and chief pilot for Sugarbush Soaring; he has been flying with Sugarbush since the club began, according to the club's website. Stinson is the pilot examiner for the New England Region of the FAA. With more than 6,600 hours of flying and over 11,000 sailplane flights plus a Single Engine Land and Instrument rating. The pilot examiner is the person who passes the final judgment of a student's flying abilities. A few miles north of Sugarbush on Route 100 is Stowe Soaring, located at the Morrisville-Stowe State Airport in Morrisville, Vt. The airport is six miles north of Stowe. Stowe Soaring employs both traditional aircraft-towed gliders and an unusual type of glider called a German Stemme S10-VT. This hybrid motor glider has an awesome wingspan of 75 feet and its own motor, too. So, no tow plane is needed for this high-tech, self-contained, U-2 like sailplane. The view above the Morrisville-Stowe area is just as thrilling as its Sugarbush neighbor. Vermont's big mountains are far below you. Glancing down from 5,000 feet or more at woods, meadows, ski trails, and even roaming cattle, is a one-of-a-kind experience. Adults and children will discover the thrill of gliding flight at Stowe Soaring. For current flight time and rates, is suggested that you call ahead. Special thanks to Sugarbush Soaring and Stow Soaring for material used in this article.

Signup for our newsletter

Fly like an Eagle: the Art of Soaring Vermont

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS