(French) The words 'soaring' and 'gliding' are used interchangeably in our sport. Treat them as having the same meaning for now. Technically, "gliding" describes flight from a high altitude to a lower one, while "soaring" implies the ability to climb to a higher altitude. But in our sport we use each word to mean the same... having FUN! 

Soaring is motor-less flight, using a sailplane and natural occurring atmospheric phenomena, called "LIFT", to gain altitude and stay aloft.

There are several types of "lift", all of them are fun, but not all types can be found in every location.

'Thermal' lift is the most common, and is caused by the sun heating the earth. We see this in every part of Canada at one time or another.

'Ridge' lift is caused by a significant lump of ground standing above the 'normal' terrain. A wind hitting it at just the right angles can cause a constant up flow of air in which a glider can ride for hours on end... if the ridge is long enough! Pennsylvania is the best place in North America for this!

'Wave' lift is a caused by winds hitting a VERY LARGE lump of ground and setting up waves of lift which can go to over 50,000 feet up! Go the Rocky Mountains at Invermere for this, or, settle for smaller scale wave in Pennsylvania, Lake Placid NY, or Baie St. Paul Quebec!   

Many people hearing the word "glider" may think of "hang gliders", but that is a different type of soaring aircraft. Typically you sit in a sailplane, and you (of course) hang in a harness under a hang glider. The pictures on this site will clarify the difference.

Getting Started in Soaring

Read the materials here on our web site, and when you decide you want to know more... just visit one of our member clubs. Contact them for specific operating schedules using their web site, phone or email. Most clubs operate May - October. Then, take a drive and enjoy your first 'introductory flight'. You can have a complete training experience from your first flight, or you can just sit back and anjoy the ride. 

After your first flight you will know whether this is the sport for you!  We hope you will find it as exciting as we do.