Q. JUST WHO IS SHENANDOAH VALLEY SOARING, INC.?
We call ourselves SVS for short and we are a club, not a commercial endeavor. Our purpose is the promotion of flying in its purest form; the art of Soaring, first to our members and then to the interested public. Since we do this on a strictly volunteer basis, we can't guarantee a ride happening exactly at predetermined times. We fly on weekends, year round... weather cooperating.

Q. HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN FLY?

We use two seat planes for rides. This leaves room for you and your pilot. You do want a pilot, don't you? Unfortunately, we cannot allow children to accompany parents in the same seat. By FAA regulation, anyone flying must be securely belted into their own seat.

Q. ARE THERE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS?

You need to be generally less than 230 lbs. and shorter than 6 ft. 5 inches. You will typically need to step up and over the side of the glider to enter the cockpit, but if you have mobility limitations please check with us. We now have capabilities to assist people with phyiscal handicaps and may be able to accommodate you. Normally you will be seated in front of your pilot, to give you the best view.

Q. I WOULD LIKE TO SURPRISE A RELATIVE OR FRIEND WITH A RIDE. DO YOU OFFER GIFT CERTIFICATES?

Yes, we can quickly mail you an attractive personalized gift certificates which may be redeemed up to a year later. The cost of the gift certificate is the same as the standard Glider Ride cost. Current prices can be found here. Please visit our contact page to get in touch with our ride coordinator for details.

Q. WHO WILL BE MY PILOT?

You will be riding with members who are commercially licensed by the FAA for carrying passengers. You will notice each plane has dual controls, and you will be briefed by your pilot about what is and isn't ok for you to touch during flight. Don't worry you won't be expected to fly it yourself on this flight!

Q. HOW DOES THE GLIDER GET INTO THE AIR? DO YOU PUSH IT OFF A CLIFF?

There are many methods of becoming airborne in a glider. At Shenandoah Valley Soaring we use a power plane for our tows. A 200 ft. Dacron rope is attached by special hitches between the power plane (tug) and the glider. The plane we use is a Piper Pawnee. It's strong and reliable. When your pilot reaches a predetermined location (that he and the tow plane pilot have agreed upon), he will pull a yellow handle which releases the glider from the tow rope.

Q. HOW LONG WILL MY FLIGHT LAST?

The flight involves towing to 3,000ft. above ground level. How long you stay up is dependent upon weather conditions at the time. Rarely is it less than 20-25 minutes, with an hour maximum. More typically it is 30-35 minutes in duration. What you see is also weather dependent. On a clear day you can see 50 miles or more. No matter what the weather though, the picturesque Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains, when viewed from 3,000 feet, present a never-ending scenic vista to be enjoyed in the quiet serenity of motorless flight.

Q. HOW SHOULD I DRESS?

Dress in seasonally appropriate layers. It can be hot or cold depending upon the day. For example On the ground it can be cold and windy winter day, but if the sun is brightly shining it can then be snuggly warm inside the plane. Close the big Plexiglas canopy and a miniature greenhouse effect is created. Year-round, we suggest wearing a hat (and sunglasses) to guard against sun exposure and glare, preferably not too big and floppy as you most likely will be seated in the front seat and your pilot must be able to see around you. On summer days it can be very warm inside the plane until it is airborne and you have air circulation, so lightweight and light colored clothing is recommended.

Q. WHAT ARE GOOD SOARING CONDITIONS? DO YOU NEED A LOT OF WIND?

Wind is not the key ingredient in what you will be doing (Thermal Soaring) -- what a glider pilot needs is rising air. If he finds rising air, then he does what he can to stay in it. On most days, air rises as a result of the sun heating the ground, and therefore the air at ground level. The heated air rises, until it is in air with the same density. So we need sunny days, with unstable air. Usually the heated air rises high enough for the moisture to condense and form a cloud, the puffy white cotton ball' cloud (cumulus cloud) of good-weather summer days. Cumulus clouds like the ones shown here promise lots of "lift" and may result in longer glider flights.

Q. HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

We don't operate on appointments, even for club members who want to use a club glider. Call our Ride Coordinator first, then come to the field on a good-weather weekend day and you'll find somebody at the launch line -- the downwind end of the runway, because an aircraft always takes off into the wind. However, if we are at the far end of field, please go into the airport office and ask them to call us on the radio. Someone will come to pick you up and give you a ride to where we are.

Q. DOESN'T THAT MEAN THAT I COULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY RIDE?

Yes it could. You'll normally expect to find a number of other people there at the launch line. There may be other guests and yes, members will be waiting their turn to fly. It is normally first come, first served. Waiting also may be instructors, tow pilots and members flying their personal planes (for example) waiting for soaring conditions to get better, before they launch. So flying a glider is surprisingly social. Take advantage of the people at the launch line -- ask them your questions and learn a lot before you fly. One common thread exists. Each of us, regardless of our experience, all started at the same point needing the advice and help of those who came before us. So, most of our members enjoy the social interaction with their friends at the launch line, and tend to think of it as "a few enjoyable hours at the airport" rather than "I have a doctor's appointment for 10 AM." Frequently members show up to help out with the many facets of keeping planes flying smoothly and choose not to fly themselves, that day. If your time is truly limited for one reason or another, we would suggest explaining this to the Ride Coordinator, and we will then try to arrange for you to get one of the first flights of the day, so your waiting time will be minimized.

Q. OK, WHERE IS EAGLES NEST AIRPORT AND WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE?

Eagles Nest is in Waynesboro, VA. From Interstate 64 take exit 94 (SR 340). Turn left at the first stop light onto Lew Dewitt Blvd. Follow Lew Dewitt for 2 miles before turning left onto Main Street (US 250). Go 1/2 mile and turn left onto Aero Drive which you follow approximately 1 mile to the airport. Please park in the parking (gravel) lot on the right. (Imbeded Google Map) We try to start guest flying around 10 am on Saturdays and around 12 noon on Sundays. The sooner you arrive, the sooner you may expect to fly; however, there is one exception if we have students waiting, they will have priority until noon.

Q. THAT WAS GREAT, BUT I HAVE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS. IS THERE SOMEBODY I CAN TALK TO?

Visit our contact page to get in touch with our ride coordinator.