Membership
Flight Activities
Member-Owned Aircraft
Membership
- Membership Types
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Standard membership types are available to all wishing to join the club. Members pay a one-time initiation fee with dues charged at a low monthly rate.
- Regular Membership. For individuals.
- Regular Family Membership. For family participation; includes spouse and children under age 22.
- Student Membership. For individuals under age 22 and enrolled in school.
- Discovery Flight Membership. Single-day membership for individuals expressing an interest in soaring. A portion of the Discovery Flight (guest ride) charge may be applied toward permanent membership.
Limited category memberships listed below are given at the discretion of the club, as applicable.
- Associate Membership. For individuals whose outside commitments do not allow them to fulfill club work requirements.
- Specialist Subclass of Membership. For members with special skills needed by the club.
- Honorary Membership. For members who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to soaring or the club.
- Neighborhood Membership. Power pilots with aircraft based at Richmond Field wishing to participate in the sport.
Short-term Guest Membership may also be arranged for licensed soaring pilots temporarily in the Sandhill area (work assignment, special event sponsored by the club, etc.). Please contact the club for details.
- Initiation and Dues
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Sandhill Initiation and Dues Regular Member Family Member Student Member Associate Member Principal Dependent † Single initiation fee covers principal and dependent members of a family.
‡ Pre-solo dependents do not pay dues.Initiation Fee $350 $425 † - $125 $500 Monthly Dues $25 $25 $25 ‡ $15 $25 Annual SSA Dues $64 $64 $36 $36 $64 Per-Flight Surcharge - - - - $10 Discovery Flight Membership is included with the cost of a guest ride.
- Soaring Society of America
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Membership in the Soaring Society of America (SSA) is required for all Sandhill members. SSA membership is handled through the club; new members join the SSA concurrently on joining Sandhill, with annual renewals billed through the club. Existing SSA members will have their chapter affiliation transfered to Sandhill.
Further information about the SSA can be found on the Society's website.
- Periodic Work Duty
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Regular, Family and Student members are scheduled for four to six full work days at the airport during the flying season, with tasks assigned according to each member's abilities. Typical work performed includes participation as ground crew, retrieval of gliders, and light maintenance. Instructors and tow pilots are scheduled more frequently but for half-day shifts.
Sandhill thrives as an active organization through the strength of its members, and participation in the cooperative work of the club is an important responsibility for all.
- Billing Cycle
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Dues and other expenses are billed on a quarterly cycle. New members will need to pay initiation and SSA costs on joining the club. Any remaining dues for the quarter will appear on the first billing cycle after joining.
Flight Activities
- Tow Fees
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Winch launch is $5 per launch. Winch use is typically on Sunday mornings during the flying season.
Aerotow is used throughout the year, with costs based on release altitude per the table below.
Aerotow Fees for Selected Release Altitudes † Releases above 2000 feet are charged at $0.80 per additional 100 feet. Minimum aerotow charge is $11. 1000 feet $11 2000 feet † $19 3000 feet $27 A 3,000 foot release is most commonly used, and provides a good basis for estimating tow expenses.
- Aircraft Rental Fees
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Club aircraft are made available to members at an hourly rental rate. Members may use gliders any time equipment and facilities are available, in accordance with Sandhill rules and policy.
Hourly Aircraft Rental Charges Grob G 103 Twin II Acro $35 Brasov IS-28B2 Lark $20 Schleicher K 7 $20 Schleicher K 13 $20 Schweizer SGS 2-33A $20 Grob G 102 Astir CS $20 Pilatus B-4/PC-11 $20 Scheibe SF 25 C (motorglider) $45 Additional information on Sandhill's gliders may be found on our fleet page.
- Flight Instruction
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Flight instruction is provided free of charge by Sandhill's volunteer CFIGs (Certified Flight Instructor Glider). Instructional flights typically last 20 – 30 minutes, with approximately 40 flights needed to reach the solo stage of training.
A variety of instructional materials may be purchased through the club, as well as outside vendors.
Member-Owned Aircraft
- Tiedown and Hangar Availability
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Richmond Field has a limited number of outdoor tiedown and hangar spaces for rent on a monthly basis, for members who own their own sailplanes. Arrangements may also be made for temporary overnight storage of aircraft. Please contact the club for further details.
