Fulfill your dreams.

From the very first flight, you will have a chance to be at the controls of your advanced two-seat PW6 sailplane. With the guidance of our experienced instructors, you will learn to take-off, soar, and land the glider here at the Alberni Valley Regional Airport. Before too long you will be circling with the eagles! All required theory classes are taught here as well, typically one-on-one with our instructors.

On average, students will fly 45 instructional flights before going solo. This is followed by 20 solo flights, with frequent dual flights to maintain proficiency. Depending on your availability and time commitment, a license can be earned in as little as two months. The more consistent you are with your flying, the less review and refresher training will be needed.

Once you are licensed, you may continue to rent the PW6 glider, or join the local Alberni Valley Soaring Association (AVSA) club, to benefit from very affordable glider rental and flying rates. With our instructors’ guidance, you will also develop your soaring technique, as you begin to venture further from the field. With thermals in the valley, ridge lift along the Beaufort Range and wave lift developing over Vancouver Island, we are ideally situated to experience all forms of soaring.

Learning to fly in gliders is generally a more affordable option than powered aircraft, and teaches you excellent “hands and feet” flying skills which will benefit you if you decide to continue your aviation journey into powered aircraft. Many airline pilots, astronauts, and military jet pilots all started out flying gliders (see the movie “Sully’!)

For more information, or to book an introductory flight, please contact us.

CONVERSION TRAINING

If you are already a licensed pilot and interested in learning to fly sailplanes or just practice your technique, we can offer conversion training as well. This can be done in as little as 25 flights, each averaging 15 minutes. This includes the 20 solo flights required by Transport Canada, as well as at least an hour of dual flight. There is no written exam required for the conversion course.

Just as with ab initio pilots, you can join the AVSA club when you are licensed. Their single-seat PW-5 glider is available at very affordable rates, allowing you to explore the valley with ease!