Ask 21.  Most of our rides and advanced flight training take place in the two-seat Schleicher ASK 21, which is made in Germany.  The ASK 21 is the longest continuous production fiberglass trainer in the world, with over 750 currently in use.  It has a T-tail, airbrakes on the upper wing only and a fixed undercarriage.  With a wing span of 55.74 ft (17 m), a 33.5:1 glide ratio and an empty weight of approximately 850 lbs, it has above average performance for a trainer, and is known for its comfortable cockpit, excellent visibility and handling, docile flight characteristics and reliability.  It is certified for 18,000 hours of service. 

Super Blanik.  Most of our flight training is conducted in the two-seat L 23 Super Blaniks, which are made in the Czech Republic.  The club has two of these gliders. The all-metal Blaniks are very popular trainers worldwide due to their durability, reliability and ease of handling.  In fact, they are used by the US Air Force Academy for dual basic training.  The Super Blanik first flew in 1988 and is a development of the L 13 Blanik, which was originally built in 1958.  The Super Blanik has a T-tail, DFS type airbrakes, a swiveling tailwheel, a semi-retractable shock absorbed main wheel and an improved canopy that allows for better visibility.  The L 23 has been approved for all stages of flight training, including basic to advanced cross-country and aerobatic flying.  It has a wing span of 53.1 ft (16.2 m), a 27:1 glide ratio and an empty weight of approximately 700 lbs.  With the use of aero launching, it can have a service life of over 10,000 hours.

SGS 1-26.  After students solo in the Blaniks, they often transition into the Schweizer SGS 1-26 to gain solo experience in a different aircraft.  The SGS 1-26 is a single-place, combination metal/fabric sailplane that was built by Schweizer Aircraft Corporation in Elmira, NY.  The 1-26 is rugged, inexpensive, durable and easy to fly, making it one of the most popular sailplanes in America.  It has a 40-foot wing span, a 23:1 glide ratio and an empty weight of approximately 400 lbs. 
The 1-26 and the Schweizer Aircraft Corporation both have fascinating histories.  Schweizer is unique in that it is the oldest privately-owned aircraft company in the United States (and perhaps the world).  The three Schweizer brothers built their first glider in 1930 and incorporated Schweizer Aircraft in 1939.  The first 1-26 was flown on January 16, 1954 by Paul Schweizer.  A total of 700 1-26 aircraft were produced, with production ending in 1981.  There were five different models, and our club owns a C model that was built in 1971.  Schweizer gliders helped to popularize the sport of soaring throughout the United States. 

Sugarbush Soaring owns two Piper PA-25-235 Pawnees (C and D models).  Originally designed for agricultural spraying and dusting, the single seat Pawnee has found a second home at glider ports across the country.  Its relatively low flying speed, ample power, general ruggedness and excellent visibility make it a very popular glider tug. 
Powerplant: one 235 hp Lycoming O-540 B2B5 flat six piston engine with a two blade fixed pitch McCauley propeller. 
Performance: maximum speed 102 kts (117 mph), cruise speed 91 kts (105 mph). 

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