Learn to fly for a total beginner:  Your FAA certificated instructor will develop your knowledge base and flight proficiency in the classroom and in a high performance, modern two-place glider to prepare you for solo flight and then topass the FAA written and flight examinations. Our instructors have many years experience working with people who have no flying experience and preparing safe, certificated pilots.


Expect approximately:
10 hours in the classroom, less if you study at home
30 to 50 flights to get to the solo stage
24 flights to prepare you for the FAA flight exam.

At the solo stage you will be flying on your own,developing skills you need for all your later flying.  After you pass the flight exam you will be qualified to take friends up in the glider and show them the beauty of Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley from one of our high performance gliders, or to transition into a single-place glider and begin preparing for the next stage of your flying experience: cross-country flight away from the vicinity of the airport. You cannot choose a better location for this training, as Minden is known world-wide for its cross-country soaring potential.

With concentrated effort this can be accomplished bymost in 5-10 days at a cost of approximately $3,500-$5,000.

Add-on:  Already a power pilot?  Working on a glider rating will make you a better power pilot.  You will need to develop more familiarity with the air in which you are flying to be competent in a non-powered  aircraft.  The additional rating requires you to fly with an FAA certificated instructor until you are proficient to fly solo, then to make at least 10 solo flights and three more instructional flights in preparation for the FAA check ride.  You will not need to pass a written glider exam if you already have your power rating, but our instructors will spend classroom time building your knowledge base for the oral portion of the check ride and making sure you are comfortable with those aspects of flight that are unique to our sport so you will be a safe and proficient soaring pilot.
If you plan to do this as an accelerated program you can probably complete the program in 5 days at a cost of $2,500-$4,000.


X-country:  Continue your soaring education in high performance, well- equipped sailplanes, and in the world's best soaring conditions! The natural progression for a soaring pilot who has mastered the basics of our sport is to become a safe, confident cross country pilot. SoaringNV's instructors will work with you on the theory and practice of cross-country flight in a high performance Duo Discus that will prepare you to step into a modern single-place ship and set off on your own for advanced badge and record flight.  We include modern data logging equipment that will allow you to review daily flights graphically so you progress more rapidly to more advanced flying.  Fly over the western desert or Sierra Nevada Mountains as you spread your wings and develop your ability to soar safely far from your home field.


A five-day adventure package includes the two-place glider,   instructor, oxygen, parachute, data logger and one two per day for $3,000.  It does not include travel to Minden, lodging or meals.