THE
CLUB
Sandhill Soaring Club ("SSC") is the largest gliding club in Michigan. We are a non-profit chapter of the Soaring Society of America. SSC conducts flight operations out of Richmond Field (FAA location identifier 69G) located near Gregory, Michigan. The club is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to educating members and the public in the sport of soaring and accepts tax-deductible charitable contributions from the public.
Flight Operations
Sandhill Soaring Club operates most weekends from April through November at Richmond Field in Gregory, Michigan (approximately 10 miles north of Chelsea). While SSC focuses largely on flight instruction and the training of its members, it also provides introductory discovery flights to the public most weekends starting at 1:00 PM EDT and hosts civic groups including but not limited to BSA, Girl Scouts, Rotary, Auto Clubs, EAA groups, STEAM student groups, aviation students, etc. (see above, Glider Rides). Sandhill is unique in that it offers both aerotow and ground (winch) launching options to its membership and can refer members elsewhere for self-launch training as well.
SSC's fleet of sailplanes is arguably one of the very best in the country as we offer every type of glider one could ask for, from two-seat basic trainers, such as the Schweizer 2-33, to Medium-Performance Grob 103 gliders, to an advanced DG-505 typically used for 20-Meter sailplane racing and advanced soaring instruction. We have both a single-seat, entry level Club Class Schempp Hirth Open Cirrus (with a 44:1 Glide Ratio) and a state-of-the-art Standard & 18-Meter Class Schempp-Hirth Discus-2cT motorglider qualified members may use for sailplane racing. Both are outstanding choices for cross-country soaring.
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The club conducts weekday soaring operations on an ad-hoc basis and utilizes a private WhatsApp Channel to organize such efforts.
The club leases its airport, hangar and clubhouse facilities from the Southeast Michigan Soaring Association (SEMSA).
Airport Facilities
Richmond Field has a single north-south runway, 2,600 feet long and several hundred feet wide. In 1994, SEMSA acquired substantial additional acreage with the intention of improving the airport facility for glider operations by aerotow and by winch launch. The club's 6,000 square foot hangar at the north end of the airport stores most of the club-owned aircraft, and a small clubhouse near the hangar serves as the center of the club's flight operations.
Many members and their families have enjoyed camping on the airport (roughing it near the club's kitchen facilities and bathroom with shower). Numerous other camping and recreational facilities are also nearby, including both the Waterloo Recreation Area and the Pinckney State Recreation Area.
Club Meetings
Club membership meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of Jan, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, and Oct at 7:30 pm in the Ann Arbor Airport Terminal Building (Airport Drive, just west of South State St. and I-94). Attendance by all club members is encouraged, and guests are always welcome. A soaring film or a guest speaker often follows the business portion of each meeting.
Sandhill History
Sandhill Soaring Club is a cooperative, non-profit organization that exists to provide an educational opportunity for its members to learn to fly gliders, and to continue to develop the skills necessary to be safe, successful pilots.
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Formed in 1984, the club has trained hundreds of glider pilots, ranging in age from 14 to over 70. Many of these pilots have gone on to enjoy cross-country flying in gliders, and several have competed in soaring contests at the regional and national level. Numerous youth members (Juniors) have also gone on to attend the Air Force Academy and or obtained their ATP rating and made Captain working for Regional and Major Airlines.
The airport is near the nesting grounds of the Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) from which we draw our name. Frequently, these magnificent birds can be seen on our field and in the vicinity of the airport. Guests are welcome to visit us while we're operating on the weekends and often find picnicking in the shade to be quite enjoyable.