Club Information

Welcome to the Soaring Society of Boulder main information page. This page provides a run down on the club including answers to SSB FAQ at the end of the page. More on the sport of soaring... 

If you are interested in joining the SSB you can email our new member coordinator Sam Streger. Also see a special message from our president for new members.

SSB Club Information

The Soaring Society of Boulder (SSB) was formed in 1959 as a nonprofit corporation to promote the sport of soaring in the Boulder area. It provides the basic facilities required for soaring to its members, including five sailplanes, two towplanes, auxiliary equipment, training, and mutual assistance in assembling, launching and cross-country retrieves.

What does it cost?  Club member rates/fees.

Click here for Standard Club pamphlet.

The SSB-owned sailplanes are a single-place Schweizer 1-34, a Grob Astir CS, and a two seat Grob 103 trainer. The SSB has recently acquired a Schweizer 2-32 two place glider which is being configured for high altitude wave research. The SSB has also just purchased a high performance DG-505 two place trainer. All ships have radios, trailers, and oxygen systems. Many club members own gliders, either individually or in a partnership with other others.

Current SSB membership stands at approximately 100 pilots. There are several highly qualified flight instructor and tow pilots within the SSB ranks. The club's 180 Super Cub and Pawnee are available for towing club members both during the week and on  weekends. 

With the Grob 103, the club can provide primary training to the aspiring student. Club instructors hold evening courses, and on weekends the Grob 103 is available from 9 to 11 am exclusively for training. Mile High Soaring, the commercial operation on the airport, provides rides on a for-profit basis. Club sailplanes can be reserved through an online reservation system during the week, but on weekends, they are flown on a first come - first serve basis with flight-time limitations.

The club is active in soaring camps usually held during the summer months at various airfields generally within an easy day's drive from Boulder. Recent camps have taken us to fine soaring sites like Dalhart, TX, Buena Vista, CO, and Moriarty, NM. Soaring camps are a great way for pilots to share their experiences with each other. Excellent local and cross country flights can be made. Camp locations tend to be selected for their potential for good soaring, and also for their access to other recreational pursuits while not flying.

Regular membership provides soaring at the least cost for those who fly often. The large majority of SSB members are Regular members. When one person in the family is a Regular member, another may join as a Family member at a reduced cost. Associate membership is available for visitors to the Boulder area who wish to fly with the SSB for a short period, or for others who fly only on a very occasional basis. Membership in the SSB includes a membership in the national gliding organization, the Soaring Society of America (SSA). New SSB members get the Soaring Society of America's monthly magazine Soaring, as well as the monthly SSB newsletter.

You can join the SSB at the airport or by attending a monthly meeting. When you join the club you will receive a complete new member package outlining the SSB procedures along with manuals for each sailplane in the fleet. The SSB holds monthly meetings on the SECOND Monday of each month at 7 PM. The meeting place is announced in advance, but is usually held in NCAR's main seminar room up on Table Mesa. Visitors are welcome, so please come if you have an interest in soaring with the SSB. 

For more information please contact, the SSB membership coordinator, Sam Streger on (303) 582 1008. By all means, feel free to stop by the field on an active day and introduce yourself. See you at the airport!

What is the sport of soaring anyway? 

If you are new to soaring you are in for a treat as there is no more challenging or rewarding aviation oriented activity. Climbing a motor less sailplane using only the forces of nature can be compared to sailing the skies. Soaring pilots routinely climb silently to high altitudes, fly for hundreds of miles and stay up for hours using only their knowledge of natures hidden forces. Some have the idea that soaring is all speed and adrenalin and the sport certainly has these aspects but there is more. Soaring is the nexus of art and technology. Modern gliders use super rugged high tech materials in their construction. Sophisticated instrumentation allows pilots to use natures forces efficiently. No other type of aircraft features such refined aerodynamics. The art of soaring happens when technology, knowledge and skill come together in soaring flight. More about soaring...

How Far, How High, How Fast?  Many record flights are made out of Boulder airport which offers world class soaring all the year round. Some records are: State singleplace record is over 44,000 feet Multiplace record of over 37,000 feet by Kuettner and Phil Ecklund, SSB members Fastest closed course flight with return to Boulder 90.62 mph Longest flight 648 miles to Taos, NM and return

Monthly

How do I join the Soaring Society Of Boulder?

You can join the SSB at the airport or by attending one of the monthly membership meetings. If you choose to join at the airport ask an SSB instructor to get you started. If you prefer to join at the monthly meeting the SSB membership coordinator, Sam Streger .will be available to answer your questions about the club. You will receive a complete copy of the SSB bylaws, guidelines and operations when you join. Please contact the membership coordinator for more details.

Where and when are the meetings held?

The SSB holds meetings on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM usually in NCARs main seminar room on Table Mesa. Visitors are always welcome so please come and sit in if you are interested in soaring with the SSB. Find NCAR.

How much does it cost?

The SSB has several types of memberships to chose from. The Regular member joins with a $250 initiation fee plus a refundable $650 deposit. Dues are $37/month. When it comes down to flying, charges range from $15 to $25 per flight depending on sailplane type and flight duration. Tow fees vary. 

Along with the social advantages of belonging to a friendly club - compare our prices. Your monthly dues and fees also pay for your membership to the Soaring Society of America and you will receive a subscription to Soaring magazine along with many other SSA benefits.

After I join then what?

You will need to get together with an instructor and schedule your initial flights. If you are new to flying you will begin your primary instruction under the watchful eye of the SSB instructor of your choice. If you are a transitional power pilot or licensed glider pilot you will need to schedule check rides with the SSB instructors in order to solo club sailplanes.

How can I find out more about the club?

The best way to find out more about the SSB is to visit the glider side of the Boulder airport on a weekend afternoon and introduce yourself as a prospective new member. Find the airport.

What do I need to start soaring with the SSB?

New Members - Here is what you need to get started. You will need to start building your soaring library by purchasing the following books (available from the Soaring Society of America) Solo - Tom Knauff , After Solo - Tom Knauff, SSA Handbook, and a Sailplane Pilots Logbook. Joy of Soaring by Charles Conway is also a good read, as well as Gliding by the British author Derek Piggot. A hat, sunscreen, water bottle, note pad, pens, small flight case, Denver and Cheyenne sectional maps are good to have before your first flights. Go here for complete list.