Membership & Joining Requirements

Why Join SOGA?

In a word ...... FUN. When you're floating around at cloud-base and your only concern is finding that next thermal, life is pretty darn good. But beyond the ready access to flying, SOGA offers many other benefits.

Glider Storage / Camping / Large glider set-up area / Glider Rental / Camaraderie / Cross-country flight mentorship

Planned and impromptu social events / Free Seminars / Access to the members-only FaceBook page.

Pilot Requirements Needed in Order to Fly with SOGA

SOGA is not a school and does not provide training. It is an association of and for experienced aerotow capable hang glider pilots. In order to protect our flight park and it's owner, and also protect our safety record and our members, we require pilots who are new to SOGA and wish to fly with us to:

• be a current HPAC member with its associated liability insurance coverage (this insurance policy names our land owner as insured)
• have at least an H3 (or equivalent) pilot rating, or have an H2 with an aerotowing certification from either an HPAC or USHPA certified instructor and a significant number of current flights in the past 12 months
• provide proof of experience with aerotowing (through reference by a certified instructor or tug pilot) or take an aerotowing course. Instinct Windsports in our area provides an excellent online example of one. Theft also offer a full practical training course. SOGA covers the cost of the online course for all of our members each year so we can refresh our memories.

Because training like this is such an important part of our risk management, SOGA will credit some of the cost of that course towards your membership fee. Since some of our members have been involved in the creation of Instinct Windsport's aerotowing course and are highly confident in it, then:

• if you are an experienced pilot and take this course before joining, we will credit $100 towards your membership fee
• if you are a brand new student with Instinct, then when your are ready to join SOGA we will credit $200 towards your membership fee in the first year.

We take the safety of our members, the reliability of our equipment and the protection of our land owner very seriously in order to make our flying experience truly exceptional for flatland flying.

Types of Membership

SOGA offers two types of membership:

• Full Membership: For aerotow-capable hang glider pilots
• Associate Membership: Anyone can join as an associate member

Non-members can subscribe to the SOGA FaceBook page to gain some insight into our club.

Waiver

All active pilots must download, sign and submit a current waiver before their first flight of the year. A photo of both pages of the 2023 waiver, initialed and signed, then emailed to Kevin Thomson. SOGA@bell.net. No membership will be considered active without a signed waiver and active HPAC membership.

You can download a Waiver for 2023 here for your convenience.

Fee Structure for 2023

Club Membership Fees: Club membership paid on or before May long weekend - $400.00. Paid after May 24 - $500.00

Tow Fees: $40 per standard 2000' tow; Partial tow below 1,500' - $25.00; Tows above 2,000' are an additional $12.50/1000' provided there are no pilots waiting to launch.

Glider Storage: Membership includes storage for one glider. If you have a second glider, there is an additional fee of $75.

Club Organization

Board of Directors: There are 4 positions on SOGA's BoD. President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Standing Committees: Public Relations and Safety.

Monthly Meetings: The membership meets once a month, usually on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Guests are welcome to attend.

How To Join SOGA

Ready to join? Here's the process:

1. Talk to other members to explore the possibilities to see if SOGA is right for you
2. Come out to a monthly meeting and meet the members
3. Visit our field and watch how we do things
4. Download, complete and sign the SOGA Waiver Form
5. Provide proof of current HPAC membership with insurance
6. Pay the annual membership fee

Breaking down after a great day of flying.

Southwestern Ontario Gliding Association is a not-for-profit corporation registered in the province of Ontario, Canada