Glider Rides
Introduction Rides!
Your ride is for introducing you to soaring (hence the name, intro ride). Our purpose of offering rides is to introduce you to flying gliders, and hopefully have you join the club as a member. For you pilots out there, you cannot log time as PIC (Pilot in Command) during an intro ride.
Our regular glider ride costs $145. You will fly at an altitude of 3,000 feet, and your ride will last 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the weather conditions of the day.
[NEW] We now offer mile-high rides!!! You will fly to an altitude of 5,280 feet (1 mile). Your ride will last 35 to 40 minutes, depending on weather conditions of the day. Availability of this ride depends on the weather conditions (for example if the cloud layer is higher than a mile) and some other factors. As such, there are relative fewer opportunities for a mile-high ride compared to our regular intro ride. When available, mile high rides are only $195. For more information, ask us by email.
Rides are offered on weekends only. We operate every weekend Apr 1 thru Nov 30, weather permitting. Prior to coming out, you should make arrangements by emailing our Intro Ride Coordinator. Please include your preferred method of contact, so that he or she can contact you quickly if there are changes to our plans.
Let's make it happen!
To schedule a flight simply email us at rides@illinigliderclub.org. Alternatively you can contact a club member to assist scheduling time.
Of course, you can also just show up. We will do the best we can to accommodate you, however we cannot guarantee you will be able to fly that day. Even if you don't get a ride, you will enjoy watching the takeoffs and landings and socializing!
Please Note the following items
There are weight limits (Pilot and Passenger combined weight, passenger is typically limited to 250 lbs).
Rides are scheduled on weekends only. Contact rides@illinigliderclub.org for details.
Or join Our Signal group chat to discuss it with us using the Signal App.
Schedule/Plan a two-hour time slot for your ride.
All of our pilots are volunteers. We need to coordinate your time request with one of our commercial-rated pilots availability.
We will contact you to confirm your ride request.