Soaring Stories

Sugarbush Soaring members have written down their adventures.
Some are exciting, some try to educate and some are just plain fun.

We hope you enjoy these stories told by our Club members...

A Cold Chill Filled the Cockpit by Mark Strauss

Forty miles from home, 3,500 feet above the ground and no engine...not your average solo, cross-country flight.

You Sit Going Up Faster Than an Express Elevator by Mike Newman

Twenty years from now how will I answer my son when he asks "Dad, what did you do when I wasn't there? How can I express to him the harmony of a trip to the top of the sky?

One Cu-Filled Summer Afternoon... by Jim Wyman

while thermally of the west ridge, a red-tailed hawk joined me. As we briefly shared the thermal, I sensed a contemptuous tolerance on the part of the hawk.

John and Humberto's Excellent Soaring Adventure by John Murray

Entire armies have been lost in here. There is absolutely no place to land.

Reflections at Six G's by John Mahoney

Kentucky soybeans are less than 1,000 feet directly ahead accelerating towards me at the speed of gravity.

Do I Have to Go Myself? by Rick Hanson

How one ride pilot elicits the proper level of panic, thereby enhancing the learning process.

Remember, Only You Can Prevent Bears From Soaring by Caleb Hanson

People who first lay eyes on a glider are often apprehensive, scared or maybe confused. I was struck by a sense of beauty and elegance, but at the same time, power.

I Hope You Notched Your Barograph by Steve Ludemann

The tow pilots reported severe low-level turbulence, very strong winds aloft...and maybe wave.

Cool Flight by Peter Ranney

We are now climbing in quiet, clear and cooler air; leaving behind the noisy engine, dust and heat of the gliderport.

I Don't Understand Your Banter, Old Chap by Bob Fletcher

Since the Second World War when the Germans wondered about the meaning of "Cabbage crates over the briny," aviation banter has evolved.

A Summer's Adventure Surprise Afternoon by Emily Vandal

I became desperate. "I need you lift," I begged. "Just a couple of knots of you. No, not sink. Come on, Just some lift. I need you."

What a Wonderful Day! by John Armstrong

Jeff asked me if I wanted to go for a ride in one of the two seat fiberglass gliders. I exclaimed, "yes!"

The Pilot as Romantic Engineer by Rick Hanson

There are really only two different styles of learning and those different styles manifest themselves most clearly in student glider pilots.

Safe Landing by Tony Lauck

I was wondering why the state police cruiser was speeding down the field toward me with lights flashing while I was untaping my wings.

Roast Beef at Sierra Bravo by Amanda Pratt Siegel

A Sugarbush pilot's first solo.

Boeing 757: Just a Really Large Glider by Jeff Banks

Glider flying experience is directly transferable to power flying.

Dropping in on the Rutland Airshow by Mark Evans

The tower came back with the worst possible response "Glider, the airport is closed for the airshow. There are cars on the main runway. Do not land."

If at First You Don't Succeed, Fly, Fly Again by Dave Nagley

Feeling very optimistic, I overlooked some of the necessary arrangements for retrieval.

Spoilers on Saturday by Sal deFrancesco

The tow started normally, but I noticed that it was taking longer to get airborne.

Turning My World Upside Down by Tim Larson

As I hung in my shoulder straps, I realized there was nothing between me and the desert nearly a mile below but some webbing and 1/4 " of perspex.

I'll Have to Summon a Small Army by Tony Lauck

Now I was in trouble. I had lost my safety margin on Morrisville airport. In fact, I was below a zero glide. If I didn’t find some lift soon, I would be making a field landing.

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