Club History

The Penn State Soaring Club was founded in September 1986. In July 1988 the club borrowed a Schweizer SGU 2-22E (L/D 17:1) two-seat training sailplane from the Soaring Society of Princeton University. It was one of the last SGU 2-22E models and was manufactured in 1965. The 2-22 has a metal frame with fabric-covered wings and fuselage. The 2-22 had been completely recovered with new fabric in the spring of 1978.

In November of 1989 the Collegiate Soaring Association (CSA) loaned a Schweizer 1-36 (L/D 31:1) single seat sailplane to the PSSC. The aircraft was to be based at Penn State and maintained and insured by the PSSC for a period of two years. An important condition of the loan stated that anyone belonging to a Collegiate Soaring Association (CSA) club could come to Penn State and use it free of charge. This sailplane gave solo club members a big boost in performance compared to the SGU 2-22E trainer.

In 1990 the club borrowed money to purchase a Schweizer SGS 2-33. The 2-33 is a two-seat sailplane (L/D 23:1) with a fabric covered fuselage and metal wings. The addition of a second two-seater greatly expanded the club's capacity for passenger flights and demonstration rides without detriment to the instruction schedule. The 2-33 also served as transition ship to flying the 1-36.

The PSSC operated from Ridge Soaring Gliderport in Julian, Pennsylvania from its inception in 1986 through January of 1991. During that time the club contracted its tow operations and received reduced rental fees for use of aircraft owned by Ridge Soaring. Ridge Soaring rented two Grob 103 two-seat trainers (L/D 36:1) and a Schweizer 1-34 single seat sailplane (L/D 34:1). These ships helped introduce students to higher performance soaring and served as an alternative to fly when club operations became busy. In December 1990 Ridge Soaring folded operations and the PSSC was forced to find a new place to fly.

The club moved its operation to Centre Airpark airport in Potters Mills, Pennsylvania in January 1991. This airport is a small grass strip, located east of State College, PA. About two months after moving to this new field the club was dealt a major blow by Mother Nature. During a severe storm the tiedowns for both club trainers (the 2-22 and 2-33) broke causing the aircraft to tumble down the runway. Both gliders were destroyed. The insurance payment from the 2-22 was returned to the Soaring Society of Princeton University. The club collected the insurance monies from its 2-33 and begin searching for a new trainer. Shortly thereafter the CSA´s 1-36 was transferred to another university.

In July 1991 The PSSC purchased a Czechoslovakian built Blanik L-13 (N3KH) from Dave Calehuff, Operator of the newly established Penn Soaring association at Piper Memorial Airport in Lock Haven, PA. The Blanik is an all metal two seat sailplane with retractable landing gear and fowler flaps. The club moved it's aircraft to Piper Memorial airport where it continued operation until June 1992. Then a series of time, distance and scheduling problems caused the PSSC to cease operations at Lock Haven. Penn Soaring experienced logistical problems as well and eventually closed operations.

In June 1992 The PSSC moved it's aircraft to Keystone Gliderport (formerly Ridge Soaring). Ridge soaring was sold back to it's original owners, Tom Knauff and Doris Grove who changed the name to Keystone Gliderport. The gliderport is a commercial operation with two tow planes, two Grob 103's a SGS 1-34, and flight instructors for hire. These services are provided to the club and the public on a daily basis from March through December.

In 1995 the club purchased a second very well maintained Blanik L-13 (N99952). This purchase included a portable hangar and trailer for the airplane. It was hoped that two training gliders would promote growth in the club membership but enough members and financial support to maintain both aircraft was not obtained. In October 1996 the club sold N3KH. In 1997, with the membership growing, the club was able to borrow CSA's 1-36 again. The club began working Football Games selling merchandise for the Penn State Bookstore as a student organization and continues to so so. Working the games has allowed the club to raise funds, without an increase in membership and has given the club hope toward purchasing another sailplane.

In 1997 the club began active participation in regional and national soaring competitions. At the 1997 Region 2 competition at Mifflin County Airport the club flew the Blanik (N99952) to a fourth place finish in sports class. In May 1998 Sports class nationals were held at Mifflin County Airport, and the Blanik flew to a 32 out of 42 finish. In June of the same year four members took N99952 to the second annual "Blanik Fun Fly" Hosted by the Blue Ridge Soaring Society in Newcastle, VA. Two teams of two flew at the contest and placed 2nd and 4th overall.

In the Fall of 1998 PSSC acquired another aircraft from the CSA. The new aircraft is a Schreder HP-14x . This aircraft is a high performance glider with an 18 meter wingspan. The higher performance has allowed members to fly faster and farther than they were able to do previously with club ships.

In Summer '99 PSSC bought another Blanik L-13 previously located in Colorado. Both Blaniks 99952, and 99968 are used for Primary and Advanced Flight Instruction.

In the Fall of '01, the 1-36 was removed from service. The club is currently searching for a single seat glider to replace the 1-36.