To successfully soar a sailplane to great heights and distances requires mastery of the invisible geography of the sky.
This invisible geography is a conglomeration of local phenomenon produced by interactions
between weather and land. In the Southwest, strong sun and dry desert combine to produce
very tall thermal currents that can lift a skilled pilot to 20 thousand feet.
In the West, winds over the Rocky Mountains produce dramatic waves in the atmosphere that can be
used in ways not unlike surfing on an ocean wave. In the East, the long Appalachian ridges
support up-slope winds that can be used to fly many hundreds of miles at high speed and low
altitude.
In the upper Midwest our gently-rolling farmland is efficiently heated by the summer sun while
the prevailing northwesterly winds bring in cool Canadian air. This dynamic produces
wonderful fair-weather thermal soaring in an environment both challenging and rewarding.
When combined with friendly people, land-able terrain, and a myriad of small local
airports the result is a great location for soaring flight. Word of this unique
mix has spread across the country and a number of regional and national soaring contests
have been held at Minnesota's Albert Lea Airport, most recently the 2007 18 Meter and
Open Class Nationals.
Our quiet sport is for participants, not spectators. Three soaring
operations in the Twin Cities metro area provide opportunities to get involved and get in the
air without traveling to the ends of the country. You can still be home for
supper, but be warned; casually taking a scenic quiet ride in a glider can lead
to a lifelong fascination with the sport. There are few barriers for those who wish
to take the controls themselves and soar. The sky is the limit.
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