Welcome!

The Soaring Team at the United States Naval Academy in association with VT-NA provides interested Midshipman with exposure to glider operations in Fairfield Pennsylvania. Made possible by the generosity of the Mid Atlantic Soaring Association and its members, the USNA Soaring Team is currently the only flight experience provided to the Brigade, other than selection for IFS. Currently, the team is working towards establishing its own group of midshipman instructors, so that in the coming years the team will expand self sufficiently.

Mission

VT-NA's Soaring Program is a highly structured midshipmen-led military flight training operation that provides year-round ground, simulator, and flight instruction, as well as a dedicated Summer Soaring Program. Its mission is to provide leadership opportunities, flight training, and act as an early flight-screening tool for midshipmen who wish to pursue careers in Naval Aviation. VT-NA's Soaring program is open to all classes yet specifically targets 3rd Class and 2nd Class midshipmen prior to service-selection and prior to enrollment in the Introductory Flight Screening (IFS) program.

Why Sailplanes?

The long, efficient wings of sailplanes allow for very low stall speeds and benign handling qualities (a key safety feature for new students), and are particularly sensitive to adverse yaw (the tendency of an aircraft to yaw away from the pilot's desired direction of turn). A sailplane pilot must quickly learn to precede any lateral stick movements with appropriate pedal inputs. This combination of low speeds, benign handling, and adverse yaw renders sailplanes the most appropriate platforms for new students to learn the fundamental "stick and rudder" skills required for safe, coordinated flight. Additionally, midshipmen are introduced to a critical decision-making process which involves reading weather patterns to snatch energy from the atmosphere to prolong flights, approach and landing considerations. This training provides a solid aeronautical foundation invaluable to the success of our future Naval Aviators.