Training for Aspiring Sailplane Pilots

The club provides individualized training for those who wanting to become a competent RC (radio control) Sailplane Pilot. 

The club maintains a list of instructors that will facilitate flight training.  Some of the instructors listed focus on a certain aspect of flight instruction or flying formats. Basically there are three launching formats, Hand Launch, Electric Launch, and High Start Bungee. (Full length High start launching is only available at Seymore Lake Park field as Addison Oaks field is no longer being cut with pathways for High Start lines) There are subsets of competition formed around these launch methods but for learning, one only has to pick one he or she is comfortable with for both cost and complexity.

The aspiring sailplane pilot can receive up to three (3) hours of free instruction without the requirement of club membership.  For instruction to continue, then the student pilot will be required to provide proof of membership in the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics - https://www.modelaircraft.org) and will be required to join the GDSHS club.

The aspiring pilot simply needs to contact Ned Burdick (See list of officers on this web site).  Once an assessment is made of what training is necessary, the student pilot will be matched to the appropriate instructor(s) and they will arrange to meet on a mutually acceptable day and time at the club flying field.  The instruction will be one-on-one between the pilot and instructor.   On a given day, flight instruction will last for one hour or for a mutually agreed upon time between the pilot and instructor. Weather can be a factor so there needs to be flexibility for scheduling flight training.

The new pilot must provide their own sailplane and radio.  Prior to flight instruction, there will be a thorough evaluation of the student’s sailplane and radio setup to ensure that the sailplane is air worthy.  As part of the process, the flight instructor will inspect all control surfaces to ensure they are properly set both mechanically and through the radio setup. 

The focus of our training is always on safety.  Safety of the people on the flying field first and foremost and safety of the equipment. 

If you are interested in learning to fly RC Sailplanes but have not yet purchased a sailplane or radio, please contact us for suggestions based upon your interests.

During the flying season (May - September), weather permitting, on Thursdays, we are generally at the field from mid-day on.  Some of the club members are retired (affectionately known as the “old retired farts - ORF’s), and Thursday is the designated day to fly - and again, weather permitting.  This is a good time to see what the hobby of RC Sailplanes is all about.  The ORF’s are a friendly group and will gladly answer any questions that you may have.  This is also a good time to visit the field as you will generally see multiple launching formats and practice for some of the competition events (F3K (DLG), F5J (electric launch Altimeter/Motor Run Timer), and F5L (Rudder Elevator Spoiler) ).

The GDSHS is also a competitive club and hosts a series of Soaring Contests in a variety of contest formats.  Check the contest schedule listed on the website and come out and watch.  We have club members that are either current or past National Champions in the various contest formats.  Consequently, if you show up on contest day, you will have the opportunity to see some of the best pilots in the country compete.  In order to get an advanced knowledge on how these pilots compete, check out the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) rule book for soaring contests

Of course not all members are into competition flying and there are many who just fly for the fun of it as it really is a relaxing and educational pastime.
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Field Location:
Our Addison Oaks flying site has been granted FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) status. The field is located in the Addison Oaks County park on 32 Mile Rd. about 3 miles west of Rochester Road.

Oakland County Parks have eliminated vehicle entry fees and permits for all parks, including Addison Oaks, effective immediately following a November 2024 millage vote. This means there is no charge for day-use entry at Addison Oaks in 2026 for any visitor, regardless of residency status.

DIRECTIONS TO THE FLYING FIELD
NOTE: Speed Limit in the park is 15MPH and is enforced.
Continue straight after exiting 32 Mile Rd. and go past the first stop sign and little Sheriff's station to the Convention Center- go through the parking lot to the fence and gate at the end of the parking lot and enter the restricted area. Turn right just past the gate and follow that road back to the field- once there follow the path to where people are parked. If the winches and people are flying, wait at the bottom of the hill for a signal to go into the parking area. (See map to the field link below)
All this is less complicated than it sounds, just keep an eye out for flyers and planes and use common sense.
Founded in 1969
AMA Chartered Club #357
 
OVER 50 YEARS OF FLYING FUN
Outdoor Activities:
Club Contests:

Club Contests are held the according to the Contest Schedule with rain dates the next day (Sunday). Regardless of skill level, these contests are great venue to improve one’s flying skill, bond with fellow pilots and have fun. The club contests are low key but still competitive for those that need that sort of thing, We hold F3K (DLG), F5J (electric launch Altimeter/Motor Run Timer), and F5L (Rudder Elevator Spoiler - electric launch) contests.
- NOTES:
We encourage beginning pilots to participate in these contests as it the best way to improve skills quickly and the accomplished pilots will be there to help the beginner along.
Although these are "Club Contests", we allow anyone to fly in them if they are AMA members and have approval to fly by the CD for that day but their score will not be included in the club standing calculations.
We have a yearly club championship that is determined by rules shown on CLUB CONTEST STANDING CALCULATIONS.

Indoor Activities:

In the winter, generally from November to April, we fly at the UWM Sports Complex Field #1 @ 867 S Blvd E, Pontiac, MI 48341 (248) 515-7362. We can fly planes and helis under 20 oz, there is ample room for sport and 3D foamies as well as micro flyers. Contact indoorfly@skymasters.org for current details.
Mission and Format:

We are a model sailplane club that includes competition and sport flyers and our mission is to foster the skill level of all flyers through individual training as well as participation in club events and major contests.

The format of the club is low key fellowship with a nice place to gather and fly .
Club Meetings:
We currently do not have regular in-person club meetings. The Executive Board meets quarterly via Google Meet. If anyone has an item that needs to be put on the agenda, please contact one of the officers with details prior to the next meeting. It is the policy of the club that all members are invited and welcome to the Board Meetings.

We have an open club meeting at the annual holiday party (normally the first week of December).

The time and URL of the online meetings will be announced on the Google Group forum.
Why the name?

In the beginning there were no retrievers for the winch launched or bungie launched sailplanes launching lines, so if you wanted to SOAR, you had to HIKE to get the launching line.
GDSHS Map
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