About Us
About Truckee Tahoe Soaring Association
The Truckee Tahoe Soaring Association (TTSA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and home to Soar Truckee, a premier gliderport located at the Truckee Tahoe Airport in Truckee, California. We provide scenic glider flights, professional glider instruction, youth STEM aviation programs, aerotow services, and support for the private glider pilot community.
Our Mission
Our mission is to advance the science, safety, and enjoyment of soaring flight throughout Northern California and Nevada while inspiring the next generation through aviation education, STEM outreach, and hands-on flight experiences. Through our programs, we help develop future pilots, engineers, scientists, and innovators who will shape the future of aviation and strengthen our communities.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be the premier glider training and soaring facility in the Northern California and Nevada region, recognized for excellence in flight training, safety, innovation, and youth aviation education.
Our History
Soaring has been an organized aviation activity at the Truckee Tahoe Airport since the early 1960s. In the early years, various fixed-base operators supported glider operations for private pilots in the region. In the early 1980s, Soar Truckee, Inc. was established to expand public access to soaring by providing scenic glider rides, flight instruction, and launch services for private glider pilots.
In 2015, the organization was restructured as the Truckee Tahoe Soaring Association, becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving and advancing the sport of soaring while expanding aviation opportunities through community outreach and youth STEM education.
Our Supporters
TTSA is grateful for the generous support of organizations, foundations, and community partners who help make our programs and mission possible.
Our Board of Directors
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, TTSA is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors whose members generously volunteer their time, expertise, and leadership to support our mission and ensure the continued success of our programs.
Glider Basics and Flights
Gliders are extremely efficient flying machines without engines. They are elegant, simple, and sleek. Gliders are very quiet, the only noises being the variometer audio, occasional radio chatter, and the gentle whoosh of the wind. Some of them have a motor. You can soar for hours enjoying the peaceful quiet and the beautiful views. You can also challenge yourself on cross-country adventures hundreds of miles out and back to the home airport. You can climb in mountain wave up to 18,000 ft! You can even do aerobatics.
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​Glider Flying Costs are Lower
Costs are a fraction of flying powered aircraft. There are many clubs that offer access to gliders through memberships at very reasonable rates once you are certified. Certification is also much faster, requiring just 10 hours of solo flight compared to 40 in powered aircraft. It is also an ideal entry into flight for kids 12 years old and up, able to solo at 14 and earn their FAA license at 16. Do you have or know somebody who has a young soul who might become a good pilot?
Glider Flying is Special
Glider flying – aka Soaring is about being viscerally connected to the aircraft in a full mind and body experience. You will engage all STEM disciplines, learn precision flying and feel the air. You will learn the sixth sense of seeing rising air. Soaring is freedom: learn to create your own flight moment by moment.
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Click Here to read a great article by Bold Method on Glider Flying!
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Did you know that astronaut Neil Armstrong was a Glider Pilot?
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