Steamboat Springs Soaring Association
Eagle Soaring Airfield, Steamboat Springs, CO 80488, United States (US)
We are a gliding club in north western Colorado. We glide out of Eagle Soaring Airfield, which is just west of Steamboat Springs.
 We provide economical access to gliders, winching, training & great soaring opportunities to our growing membership. Some members own… |
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SSSA (Steamboat Springs Soaring Association) is an IRS approved Colorado non-profit 501C3 corporation dedicated to the pursuit of soaring aviation in Northwestern Colorado. Our club is open for membership to all parties that want to pursue their interests & education in soaring flight & aviation, regardless of race, age, gender or religion.
Our club is based at the Eagle Soaring airfield just west of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Our club currently is winch or self launch only. Getting airborne at SSSA is extremely economical, with winch fees for members as low as $10 per snap.
Student pilots are encouraged to join SSSA to earn & enjoy their private pilots license. Our club operates a two place LET-23 SuperBlanik trainer. In addition we have two full time members who are willing & Certified Flight Instructors with glider ratings (CFIG’s)
Clubs assets are quite effective. As shown in the equipment page, we have two ready to fly Grob 102’s, associated trailers & an awesome winch.
The Yampa Valley takes skill & patience to soar. The winch snap typically leaves the pilot at 1200 feet AGL. Out of that number you need a minimum of 500′ to set up a decent approach & l&. This leaves the pilot with a precious 700′ with which to find lift in a hurry. Luckily, Eagle Soaring Airfield has some good surrounding thermal triggers. Most prominent is Sleeping Giant shown below. If the pilot can gain another 1500′ he can make a run to this iconic feature & soar the steep hillsides. Chances are he’ll find a thermal that will send him skyward. Another important thermal trigger is Copper ridge. Facing South & West into the prevailing wind, it forms an natural bowl that collects solar radiation & heated air from the valley directly in front. Best of all, Bob Adams airport lies at its base, leaving the pilot an easy out.
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