Experience Silent Flight with Spokane Soaring Society
Spokane Soaring Society is a member-run, all-volunteer nonprofit soaring club organized under Section 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our members fly together at Deer Park Airport, just north of Spokane, for the love of the sport. So people can see what soaring is about, and whether club membership is right for them, we offer a limited number of introductory flights with our volunteer member pilots and instructors.
Discovery Flight – $300 (Recommended)
The best way to find out if soaring is for you is to take the controls. Your Discovery Flight is flown with one of our volunteer member instructors, an FAA Certified Flight Instructor – Glider (CFI-G). You’ll get hands-on stick time, learn how a glider flies, and feel what it’s like to pilot an aircraft in complete silence.
Your flight is logged as dual instruction received in a pilot logbook that you keep. It’s your first logged flight toward a glider rating if you decide to train with the club.
- Tow to 3,000′ above ground, 20–30 minute flight
- Hands-on stick time with a CFI-G
- Logbook included — your flight is officially logged
- $100 credit toward club membership initiation if you join within 60 days
Introductory Guest Flight – $200
Not ready to take the controls yet? Ride in the front seat of one of the club’s two-seat sailplanes while one of our experienced volunteer member pilots flies from the back. After release from the towplane, you’ll glide over the farmland, hills, and forests of the Inland Northwest and see firsthand what our members enjoy on club flying days.
- Tow to 3,000′ above ground, 20–30 minute flight
- Front seat with panoramic views
- Flown by a club member commercial pilot
- $50 credit toward club membership initiation if you join within 60 days
Scheduling
Introductory flights are scheduled around regular club operations, mainly on weekend flying days from mid-April through mid-October. Availability is limited, so please contact us in advance to arrange a flight.
Interested in joining right away? Learn about membership
About Flight Fees
Flight fees help cover the club’s tow and aircraft operating costs. Spokane Soaring Society is a 501(c)(7) nonprofit social club, not a charity, so flight fees and membership dues are not tax-deductible donations.
After Your Flight
Many of our members started with a single introductory flight. If you’d like to keep going, club membership gives you access to the club’s gliders, towing, flight instruction from volunteer member instructors, and a community of pilots who love to fly. Talk with your pilot or instructor after you land, or visit our Membership page to learn how to join and apply your credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a Discovery Flight and an Introductory Guest Flight?
The Discovery Flight is a first flying lesson with a volunteer member instructor. You’ll fly the glider yourself and the flight is logged in your own logbook. The Introductory Guest Flight is a scenic flight where a club member pilot does the flying. Both come with credit toward membership if you join.
Do I need any experience to fly?
None at all. Both options are designed for first-timers. Your pilot will brief you before the flight and handle all takeoff and landing procedures. For the Discovery Flight, your instructor will guide you through the controls at a comfortable pace.
How long is the flight?
Both flights are towed to 3,000 feet above the ground and typically last 20–30 minutes, depending on weather conditions. On good soaring days, flights can last longer if the pilot finds lift.
Are there weight limits?
Yes, weight limits apply for the safety of the flight. Please call us to confirm before scheduling your flight.
How does the membership credit work?
If you join Spokane Soaring Society within 60 days of your flight, part of your flight fee is applied toward your membership initiation fee: $100 for a Discovery Flight or $50 for an Introductory Guest Flight. If your flight was a gift, the credit belongs to the person who flew.
What does club membership include?
Members get access to our fleet of gliders, towing services, flight instruction from certified instructors, and a welcoming community of soaring enthusiasts at Deer Park Airport. It’s one of the most affordable ways to fly. Visit our Membership page for full details.
Can I give an introductory flight as a gift?
Absolutely. Gift certificates are available for both the Discovery Flight ($300) and the Introductory Guest Flight ($200). The membership credit transfers to the person who flies. Call us to purchase.