Canada, Club Instances

RVSS is a mid-sized club with a membership of about 60. The club was founded in the late sixties. We have a single 3,700ft. runway right next to the Rideau River about 35 km south of Ottawa. Unfortunately, we are now in the Ottawa control zone and flying to the north is impossible, as is directly west and east. However, we have a special glider zone with a 4,000ft ceiling which must be activated every time we fly. Fortunately, when flying within our zone we can call Ottawa Terminal and ask for higher altitudes within their Class C airspace. Often such requests are granted and we can climb to 5,000’ and sometimes even higher. That allows us to get out of our zone faster and go cross-country outside of the Ottawa Terminal area.

We have a good group of pilots who are eager to fly and several are quite active cross-country pilots. Flights of over 500km are done in most years but to do that we have to contend with pretty rough and higher country to the west and north-west. But thermals are good there so it can be really exhilarating flying.  Our private glider fleet ranges from Standard Libelles and PIK 20s to DG 400M and ASW 27.  The club has 3 two-seaters including a newly acquired ASK 21 as well as a 2-33 and a Twin-Grob. Single seaters are a Schweizer 1-34 and an LS 4.

RVSS Proving Grounds Task Sheet (March 2020)

Canada, Club Instances

Located east of the town of Arthur, Ontario, York Soaring is a large Ontario gliding club with a focus on new pilot development. The club operates from their large grass aerodrome, with 9 runways, and a large fleet of gliders to support members of all skill levels.

For decades, York Soaring has delivered youth-focused training utilizing the largest private fleet of Schweitzer 2-33s in Canada, and delivers training programs which can deliver solo status, even license in as few as 3 weeks for a dedicated student! Ab initio training is also available in an ASK-21.

The York installation of the Proving Grounds includes two ‘local’ tasks to respect the club policy of low time pilots staying upwind of the airfield, and triangles through popular terrain with great landout options, and next to no airspace concerns.

Good luck. Fly safe!

York Soaring Association’s Proving Grounds Task Sheet

Canada, Club Instances

Located in the town of Rockton, Ontario, SOSA, the ‘Southern Ontario Soaring Association’ could be said to be Canada’s premier soaring site.

A modern fleet, welcoming clubhouse, year-round operation (winter winch), and home to Canada’s most decorated competition soaring pilots, SOSA takes a professional approach to club management and member development.

Soaring pilots enjoy Southern Ontario’s spring and summer thermal terrain, and are often lucky enough to make use of convergence lift along Lake Erie, which is spectacular and powerful.

For flight training, or cross country/skill development, SOSA is a great option to pursue gliding, and the Proving Grounds stands to help novice SOSA pilots develop their task flying skills in a supportive and outcome-oriented training environment!

SOSA’s Proving Grounds Task Sheet (June 2020)

Canada, Club Instances

The London Soaring Society is a not-for-profit member-driven gliding club. Formed in 1970 by a group of gliding enthusiasts to provide gliding facilities in the area of London, Ontario.

The club’s base of operations is about 30km to the east of London and operate all weekends and statutory holidays from early spring to late fall. They operate four club ships and a variety of member gliders on site.

As one of the smaller clubs in Ontario, they are a tight-knit group that has a lot of fun and enjoys socializing.

London Soaring looks forward to challenging each other on the racetrack and proving grounds starting in 2020, which also happens to be the club’s 50th year of operation!

London Soaring Proving Grounds Task Sheet (March 2020)