My first flight at Sugarbush Soaring

My first flight at Sugarbush Soaring was certainly a memorable one. I had saved my funds for several years, and had finally amassed enough to take an introductory lesson. It was a beautiful day, and I was lucky enough to fly in the PW-6. It was a perfect flight, but by the time we landed I was so airsick and dizzy that it took several tries to get out of the cockpit. As I was sitting at one of the picnic tables by runway 04 and trying to regain enough coordination to walk in a straight line, I heard of the line crew program, and I decided that it was something I would pursue once I was old enough.

Several years later, I got accepted into the line crew program. I showed up to the training day, and nearly froze to death within the first few minutes of assembling the gliders. I had anticipated much warmer weather, and not brought enough layers. This was perhaps the first major lesson that working on the line crew taught me, to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. Despite my near hypothermic state, I knew that I definitely wanted to continue working there, and become a member of the Sugarbush Soaring community.

Working as a line crew member was most definitely the highlight of my summer. I gained a lot of flying experience, and a lot of valuable real world experience in a field that I hope to pursue as a career. Things like decision making and cooperation can’t be learned in a classroom, and working on the line crew has given me real world experience about how to solve problems and work in a fast paced atmosphere.

Now that I no longer get airsick or disoriented, flying, and knowing that I have earned it, is my favorite thing to do. Any flight is worth the day of work, even if it is only a 15 minute sled ride or a pattern tow. It is especially gratifying to work toward a flight, and then find yourself at 9,000 feet after a smooth and continuous ride in the mountain wave. Working on the line crew has enabled me to gain experience as a pilot, something that I would most likely have to wait until college for otherwise.

My collective experience with working on the line crew has benefited me greatly already, and will continue to do so as I keep working there, and farther in the future. I am sure that this real world experience will help my college application process, and good stick and rudder skills will certainly help me be a better and safer pilot, even when I add powered aircraft to my logbook.

Danny passed his Commercial Glider checkride on August 13, 2022. He didn’t waste any time and started giving glider rides that afternoon!