Soaring Above It All: Hamilton Soaring Club’s Winter Adventure in Talihina, Oklahoma

When the Hamilton Soaring Club faced uncooperative Central US winter weather during the first week of January, they didn’t scrap their plans—they forged ahead knowing the best-laid plans often go awry. The ridges near Talihina, Oklahoma—known for their dependable year-round lift, even in freezing conditions—beckoned. The tiny, one-runway airport at Talihina became a temporary home for this group of new and seasoned aviators.

The airport itself is humble, with no running water at the FBO and spotty internet service. But for glider pilots, it’s a gem, offering the perfect conditions for ridge soaring. Here, cold air meets the ridges, creating lift that can carry a well-handled glider for hours. For those soaring over ridges for the first time, the sensation was stunning—it’s easy to feel the exact line where the ridge lift begins, as though crossing an invisible threshold into an entirely new dimension of flight.

Preparation and Mentorship

The trip’s success was no accident. Planning was spearheaded by CFII Shane Grieve, who provided a pre-departure training class to prepare the group. He covered crucial topics, including where to expect the best lift, where landing out is safe (and not), ridge soaring etiquette, and safety procedures. This education ensured that both seasoned pilots and newcomers could maximize their experience while prioritizing safety.

A Diverse Community in Flight

The Hamilton Soaring Club is more than just a flying group—it’s a thriving community with members spanning generations. Retired airline captains mentor teenagers who dream of dipping their wings in the clouds, fostering a sense of teamwork and camaraderie. The club actively encourages young women and men, some as young as 12, to engage in ground school and practical training every weekend to develop their piloting skills.

This trip was no different. Despite the threat of a winter storm promising over a foot of snow, the group stuck to their plans. The younger pilots rented one house while the more seasoned pilots rented another. Each morning, they bundled up against tooth-numbing wind, heat packs in their boots, and neck muffs over their heads. With teamwork and determination, they reassembled their gliders and prepared the tow plane, ready to take to the skies.

A First Taste of Ridge Soaring

For many, it was their first time ridge soaring—a breathtaking and humbling experience. Flying along the ridges, they were amazed at how effortlessly the lift carried them and how tangible the transition into the ridge lift felt. This tactile connection to the air is part of what makes soaring such an addictive sport. For others, it was a chance to deepen their love for gliding. The bonds formed during training flights and post-flight debriefs were strengthened over shared meals, bonfires, and the collective effort of keeping the runway operational—no snowplow required. When a fresh snowfall threatened to shut down operations, the group improvised by driving their trucks up and down the runway, melting the snow through sheer determination (and probably a few laughs).

Building a Better Future Through Soaring

The week wasn’t just about flying—it was about building a community. For the Hamilton Soaring Club, soaring offers an accessible and affordable entry point into aviation. It’s a sport that appeals to young people who might not find their place on the football or soccer field but are drawn to the challenge and precision of flight. It’s also a space where future engineers, pilots, and aviation enthusiasts can explore their interests under the mentorship of experienced aviators.

The trip also included some memorable moments on the ground. The group discovered Pam’s, a local restaurant with unbeatable prices. Their final day open coincided with the last day of the club’s trip, a fitting end to a week filled with both adventure and reflection.

The Value of Soaring

Many accomplished pilots trace their beginnings back to glider cockpits. Soaring brings power management and energy conservation to the forefront of their training—skills that translate directly to powered flight. It’s an environment where the basics of aviation become second nature, and where young aviators can learn in a supportive, team-oriented setting.

For the Hamilton Soaring Club, this trip wasn’t just about the flights they took but about the connections they built and the lessons they shared. Whether mentoring teenagers or simply celebrating the joy of flight, this community proves that soaring is more than a sport—it’s a way of bringing people together and shaping the next generation of aviators.

Closing Thoughts

The icy winds and snowy ridges of Talihina might seem like a challenging environment, but for the Hamilton Soaring Club, it was a place of inspiration, growth, and camaraderie. As they packed up their gliders and headed back to Texas, they carried with them not just memories of soaring but a renewed commitment to sharing their love of aviation with others. After all, every great pilot starts somewhere—and for many, that journey begins in a glider.

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