Scenic
Glider Rides
(near Washington DC,
Baltimore, Northern VA)
Enjoy the beauty and exhilaration of a glider winch launch with us...accelerating like a drag racer or U.S. Navy aircraft carrier catapult rather than the typical lumbering aircraft launch you've probably experienced...going from 0 to 60 mph in as little 1.6 seconds! Climb faster than you ever have before (in a standard general aviation aircraft or commercial airliner) as the nose of your glider smoothly pitches up to an attitude as much as 45 degrees above the horizon...in just 60 - 90 seconds whistling from ground level to as high 2500 feet above the ground (or more) with peak climb rates exceeding 5000 feet per minute.
Then afterwards enjoy the quiet serenity of motorless flight as you hear the air gently slipping by the window of your glider from a perch high above the valley floor as the spacious glider canopy gives you a 360-degree view of the world around you. To your north the valley continues through miles of beautiful fields and farm land; to the south it climbs gently amongst forested land to higher mountains in the distance. To the east you will see lines of tall ridges ranging from 2000 - 3000 feet above sea level. To the west lies the distinctive, V-shaped gap of the Hopeville Canyon carved through the 3000-foot high mountain range of the Spruce Knob/Seneca Rocks national recreation area by the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River, and forming a backdrop just to its west is the high plateau and 4500-foot peaks of the Dolly Sods wilderness area. You simply must see it to understand.
As you slowly descend, your pilot will tailor the ride to match your desires for the flight...giving you time to view the landscape that we get to enjoy every day, answering any questions you may have, helping you frame that perfect photo, teaching you how to fly the glider, showing you some of the capabilities and maneuverability of today's modern gliders, or any combination of these.
Rates: (not including tax & $5 airport fee)
$125 - Scenic Ride for One - a winch launch to up to 2000 feet above the ground* (~10 minute flight)
$175 - Scenic Ride for One - a winch launch to up to 3000 feet above the ground* (~20 minute flight)
(Each flight is ~10-20 min in length, but 1 hour is reserved for customer prep/questions/etc.)
Dual video of flight: (pick any two of the following views: wing tip, tail or in cockpit mount): (tax not included)
$50 for DVD mailed out NLT then two business days
Other conditions:
Waiver required to be signed prior to flight.
Maximum passenger weight is 230 lbs.
Passengers under 18 yrs old are very welcome, but guardian must be present on the airfield.
In order to provide exceptional customer service (i.e., no 1st-come, 1st-served waiting), reservations are required and only a limited number of flights are available each day (subject to weather)...once these are sold-out no additional reservations can be taken. Same-day reservations (if available) are charged an additional $30 fee. If the weather is questionable, we recommend you call ahead before departing to confirm field conditions.
Purchase a Ride and/or Schedule Your Flight:
If you would like to purchase and schedule a ride now (or redeem a gift certificate) then please select "Purchase & Schedule Your Flight Now" and you will be prompted to schedule your flight.
Gift Certificates: Currently unavailable
If you'd like to purchase a gift certificate for a ride for someone else to redeem later then use the buttons below to complete that purchase and a gift certificate will be sent directly to you.
Scenic Ride for One (to up to 2000 feet above ground*) With Dual Video of Flight
Scenic Ride for One (to up to 3000 feet above ground*) With Dual Video of Flight
A Great Gift Idea For:
Adventure Gifts
Anniversary Gifts
Birthday Gifts
Christmas (Xmas) Gifts
Engagement Gifts
Fathers Day Gifts
Graduation Gifts
Last-Minute Gifts
Mothers Day Gifts
Retirement Gifts
Wedding Gifts
For Him
For Her
For Kids
For Business Associates
*Actual altitude achieved dependent on weather conditions