Best flight training experience in my multi-decades in aviation. First rate instruction, equipment, location, and well organized. This is the place for glider training and/or an add-on rating. read more

It was awesome! Our pilot who took us up separately was terrific. I highly recommend Mike for a fun, and safe adventure. Thank you Mike!

If you are looking to take a glider ride or getting a glider license this is the place to do it. It's not the cheapest but it will most likely be the fastest. They operate most every day the weather allows and in AZ that's almost every day. They have several instructors with several different personalities. Another reviewer said they didn't particularly like the owner. I could see how some people might not like his style. You are learning to fly. Not be polite. I get along with Jason just fine and he's been my instructor on all but a couple flights. If you're looking for a thrill take the aerobatic ride. It's more fun than any roller coaster you've ever been on. If roller coasters aren't your thing the just take the regular ride. Either ride lasts about 20 minutes. Did I mention gliding isn't cheap. The best time to take a ride or learn in AZ is in the winter. The days are cool and the air is smooth. You don't stay up as long but you learn more. As it gets hotter out you can stay up longer riding the thermals but it's definitely a lot bumpier. The cost. A lot. They have the averages but no one is average. An hour of dual instruction costs $75 for the instructor. But that kind of misleading. You pay a min of 20 min per flight. Many of your flights will be 10 min. The same for the plane. In my case since I'm 240 lbs I need to fly the more expensive glider that is also a little harder to learn in. $75 an hour for that and the same min of 20 minutes. Now add in the tow plane. $50 for the first thousand feet and $1.50 per hundred after that. $150 a flight average is probably a good rule of thumb. They say that the numbers of flights to solo is about your age. I'm closer to 60 than 16 so it took me about 57 flights to solo. Add to that I have thousands of hours in airplanes from Cessna 150's to Airbus 320's. If you find yourself exceeding what it takes to get a private license and you have enough or almost enough time to go for the commercial license then get it. The standards for a commercial aren't really any harder to learn than the standards for a private pilot. The cost now says to get a private pilot airplane license are around 12k. (What I just paid for my 19 yo son). For my commercial glider add on rating. About the same. Flying gliders isn't cheap. But it is fun and challenging. read more

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I have known about Jason for many years. I have wanted and tried in a few years to fly with Him ....that is tough because he is very popular. That said I know he's a great person and pilot too..for sure a fabulous Glider flight instructor and accomplished aerobatic flyer.. To get schedule with him & to include some aerobatic flying has proved to be not possible. read more

Fun!!!!! Experience of a lifetime. I got my friend a glider aerobatic ride for his birthday. For almost 300$ he got about a 15 minute ride on a glider plane that did aerobatic tricks, a go pro video of the ride, and a T-shirt. The staff was super friendly, informative, and fun. The pilot had been flying for 10 years, and was only 23 Y/O ... you do the math. That made it even a bit cooler! I had called a few times prior buying the gift certificate, which can be emailed or mailed as a gift. They were always attentive, not pushy, and friendly. They offer flight courses here. Check out the website for exact prices and the best option for your budget and needs! read more

Arizona Soaring - Flight Instruction Near Me - Maricopa, Arizona

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I can't say enough good things about Arizona Soaring. I took lessons to get my Glider Pilot License in 2018 and came back in January to get back in the air while the weather was too cold in northern Illinois. I'm so glad I came back. My instructor Dak helped me "knock the rest off" my technique and we had a great time together. If you've wanted to know what it feels to soar like bird you've got to go for a ride in one of their gliders. It's amazingly quiet and the tide is extremely smooth in the morning and most days when the weather is cool. Safety is the highest priority for pilots and all passengers. The instructors and commercial pilots are professional, friendly, and extremely competent. The gliders are well maintained and comfortable. If you're a power pilot looking to get a glider add-on you won't find a better commercial operator to get the endorsement for you and if you want to pursue becoming a glider pilot without prior flying experience, this is the place to go. read more

Arizona Soaring - My instructor Dak and I stand in front of one of ARIZONA SOARING's ASK-21 gliders after a great day in the air. - Flight Instruction Near Me - Maricopa, Arizona

Well-organized, professional and friendly glider operation. If you need any kind of glider training, Arizona Soaring should be your first choice. The instructors, tow pilots and support staff are all personable, well-trained and work together to get you checkride-ready. No surprises on my Glider Commercial Add-on checkride. My training covered all I needed to know for the oral and practical exam flights, plus plenty more besides, based on their glider experience. Their website has much key information and pictures. I can recommend without hesitation. I'll be back soon for my Glider CFI Add-on course to my MEII rating. Special shout out to Jason, Amber, Alex, Croix and Erin, for outstanding work on my behalf. ----Dave. read more

I am a relatively new student glider pilot and had only done winch launches and worked with local instructors in Steamboat. I needed to learn aerotow and wanted to finish my license and do my flight test and oral exams (we have no examiner nearby and none at all who can certify winch launches). Arizona Soaring staff were excellent. Well trained staff I expected, but they were way beyond that. Each Instructor that I flew with was highly experienced, safe, caring and more than helpful. The instruction was thorough, helpful and fun. Aerobatics was awesome... I want more! These guys know their stuff and share it willingly simply wanting the best pilots possible from their school. The bunkhouse was basic but just fine. read more

Went yesterday (Sunday) with two groupons. My husband and daughter had a great experience. Everyone is pleasant and really spend time making sure you're comfortable and understand what you're going to experience. They had the intro flight. We were also treated to an impromptu aerobatic air show by Jason Stevens, the owner of Arizona Soaring, when he decided to go up and do some practice maneuvers. Totally awesome! This was a wonderful experience and worth the drive out there. If you get a chance, just do it. read more

These guys are pros and perfectionists. I'm 70 years old and haven't flown in about 20 years. I wanted to start flying again and got an add on glider rating to my ASEL private pilot license. My principal instructor was Shad, but I also flew with Mark (a seasonal instructor from Colorado) and Jason. I don't agree with the negative comment about Jason - I found him to be a very amiable guy. Indeed, he (and his 12 y.o. son) spent about 45 minutes to move multiple aircraft out of the way in the hangar to accommodate my wish to take one flight in a high performance glider. Very generous of them. Shad is a natural teacher for both ground and flight training. I had a good experience with Mark as well. These guys absolutely love this sport and it comes across. The location of the airport (not entirely in the middle of nowhere) and the facilities (very basic) belie the standard of excellence they bring to all things related to safety and instruction. The trainers are older Schweizer 233's, but are perfectly suited to flight training. I would definitely recommend that candidates for licenses or ratings schedule the knowledge test for one afternoon and the flight test for the following morning. Don't aim to do both the same day during the warmer months, when the thermic (ie., bumpy) air picks up around noon. The knowledge test takes about 3.5 hours, with all of the required paperwork for the FAA, and by the time it's done, it has gotten too bumpy to allow for your best performance during the flight test. Regarding scheduling, they get busy on weekends, and if only one towplane is flying, it can mean waits of up to 45 minutes or so for your next tow. I don't know how practical it would be, but it would be nice if they'd have both tow planes flying on weekends. Regarding pricing, they are very fair and up front. No complaints, although you should be prepared to spend more than $3500 for an add on rating. Given that I was quite rusty at the start, I was not surprised to spend almost double that. That said, I got my money's worth. All in all, I can't imagine a better run, friendlier or more professional school. read more

We went yesterday with 4 groupons, and had a great experience. All of the pilots were very professional and gave us a real sense of confidence. The aerobatic flight is really a combination of soaring/sight seeing, and then aerobatics for several minutes, before a photo opp fly by of the airports, and then a nice smooth landing. If you want to take a turn at being pilot, they will let you do that as well. This was a great experience for thrill seekers. read more

Completing my commercial glider add-on license was the reason I flew my Cessna 182 from Indiana to Maricopa. My instructor, Dak, is an accomplished and insightful instructor. The ground crews and tow pilots immensely contributed to the quality of my experience. Additionally, we never lost time due to any equipment or scheduling snafus. My only negative comment is about Jason, the owner. I don't dispute his advice, but he ought to remember that his customers pay for their training, and we are not his employees, so he shouldn't talk to us like his employees. I don't know if Dale Carnegie classes still exist, but if they do, Jason should enroll in one for his own benefit. I understand that a Part 141 glider school is locating near Maricopa, and the steady stream of students may not be so steady in the future. It always pays to be nice to people, especially if they bring you money. Nuff said. read more

Got to experience a super cool glider flight about a year ago that I last-minute booked the day of. The instructor I had was so accommodating and I learned a lot! read more

Arizona Soaring - Glider - Flight Instruction Near Me - Maricopa, Arizona

Such an amazing experience!! Right away you feel like you've known the people there for a long time. They make you feel so welcomed. Flying the in the Gliders is something everyone should experience. Definitely coming back for more! I'm sure it'll keep getting better and better! read more

Yippee, this place is soooooo cool. We did the aerobatic ride....20 minutes of loops, rolls, upside down flying. You will be throwing some g's. My pilot was so much fun. If you in AZ, do it. Only $200. read more

Arizona Soaring - Me and the plane AZ Soaring - Flight Instruction Near Me - Maricopa, Arizona

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I did my private, commercial and Flight instructor add-on ratings here. In addition I went back for a 5 flight aerobatic course with Jason the owner. All my experience with this organization has been positive. They are well organized, very safety oriented and do things by the book. I'm a 20,000+ hour pilot so I've seen the good the bad and the ugly. This is a high quality operation. And I also notice that the employees tend to stay long term and are happy there. That says something. I highly recommend Arizona Soaring. read more