A leader in Aviation Outreach.
In 2009, Soaring Academy was founded by a small group of pilots determined to re-open a recently closed glider operation in the high desert of Los Angeles County. A board of directors was set up, and operations began with one tow plane, a few gliders and one flight instructor.
In 2010, Christopher Bennett, already a board member, took over the role of General Manager and with the groups’ collective desire to use aviation for social good, filed for 501(c)(3) status.
Since then, this small group of pilots has grown into a team of over 20 active tow pilots, 15 instructors and commercial pilots, 20 volunteers and many loyal donors and advocates.
This growing group represents a variety of aviators, including military, airline, corporate, NASA, civil air patrol, bush and test pilots, as well as aerospace engineers, first responders and teachers!
Since 2011 when we began our outreach to VETERANS, Soaring Academy has earned the trust of many SoCal VA Hospitals and other veteran organizations.
During the past few years our Glider-STEM-Aviation-Outreach program has exposed thousands of kids to the world of aviation, STEM learning and career pathways.
We have also earned the trust of countless parents and teachers.
Today, at the core of Soaring Academy’s organization is its four-day a week glider flight school.
People come from all over to learn-to-fly, receive an add-on rating or take an educational ride. Pilots visiting Los Angeles come to Soaring Academy to learn advanced soaring techniques over the mountains of our high desert.
Without our core flight operations, aircraft, pilots, instructors and maintainers who enable our outreach programs, our Veterans and STEM education outreach would not be possible. The outreach programs are dependent upon the people and equipment that this small group has worked so hard to grow.
