General Info:
Come Soar at the Southeast's Most Unique and Outstanding Soaring Site General InformationBermuda High Soaring is both flight training facility for all soaring enthusiasts and a private club for local members that is totally dedicated to promoting the sport of soaring. Mr. Stan Hoke started Bermuda High Soaring in 1963 in Chester, SC. Bermuda High went through several groups of owners until September 1986 when Jayne and Frank Reid purchased the corporation. At the time of purchase Bermuda High owned only two SGS 2-33s and one SGS 1-26. Obviously one of the first priorities was to increase the fleet of sailplanes and to purchase tow planes. By 1990 Bermuda High owned three Piper Pawnee tow planes and 9 sailplanes. However, as Bermuda High Soaring was growing so was the Charlotte community and consequentially, the Charlotte Douglas Airport. As the airport expanded so did the need for more protected airspace. In 1988 the Charlotte Douglas Airport became what is now known as Class B airspace. This new Class B airspace greatly limited the options for long, safe cross-country flying. It was at this point in time that the Reids began a search for a new home field. In 1991, after a three-year search, land was purchased in Lancaster County, SC approximately twenty miles southeast of the city of Lancaster in the small community of Flat Creek. This location is far away from any congested airspace. The initial construction of a 4, 000-foot grass runway, a new clubhouse and a hangar was completed in the spring of 1992. The first official flights at the new site took place on May 16, 1992, on "Neighbor Day." Our new neighbors in Flat Creek were given free rides along with a cookout as a small expression of thanks for the warm welcome they gave Bermuda High.Based on previous experience, we discovered that not all forms of aviation activity could coexist on the same field. Each sport has it's own particular aspects and limitations. While we acknowledge "to each his own" with regard to fun, be it ultra-lights, parachuting, or power planes, we reserve the right to keep this particular grass strip all to the sport of Soaring, thus increasing safety and preserving the sport. Thank you for your understanding. This site is privately owned and totally controlled by sailplane pilots, thereby ensuring an environment at Bermuda High that is one hundred percent dedicated to SOARING FUN.A ride is the perfect way to experience the exhilaration of soaring! An FAA Commercial pilot will sit behind you in the sailplane as you become airborne and search for the elusive updraft that is known simply as lift. If you would like to take the controls to get a feel of what it is like to actually fly the sailplane, try an instructional flight with our FAA rated Glider Flight Instructors. If you have always wanted to fly, come and make YOUR DREAM COME TRUE!Bermuda High Soaring provides the opportunity to learn to soar under the guidance of fully qualified FAA flight instructors. The Beginner Training Course is taught on an individual basis for the person who has little or no aviation training. Training may begin at a young age: a student may begin sailplane instruction at age 13, solo at age 14 and obtain a Private pilot certificate at age 16. The average student pilot will solo after 30 to 35 dual training flights. This can be done in 8 sessions, each approximately 2 hours long. Reading assignments and study material must be completed before each session. To satisfactorily complete this course, the student should plan on a minimum of one session per week and a commitment of several months.It is important to keep in mind that in the grand scheme of becoming a "good" and safe sailplane pilot the number of flights required to solo is of little consequence. Rather, the long-term dedication and commitment to the sport will determine how you progress through the learning experience, which never really ends throughout your flying career. Solo is nothing more than the first s