Southern California Soaring Academy, inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based at Crystalaire Airport in the high desert of Los Angeles county.
Chris briefs the crew at the start of the day
Mission
We provide all levels of instruction, give commercial glider rides, and provide glider aero-towing and storage.
For our country's many wounded service-members our goal is to provide them with an enabling and empowering soaring experience that unlocks potential, restores self confidence and provides a meaningful metaphor to sustain them on their long flight towards wholeness.
Ground Crew gets ready to tow glider to launch area
Through our Soaring-STEM Program, expose a student population to aeronautical concepts and opportunities and prepare them with the goal of filling local aviation and aerospace jobs.
Our mission is to:
- Provide the best quality service and instruction available anywhere
- Make the experience of soaring flight available to all people, irrespective of their physical abilities
- Be a Center of Excellence for all phases of soaring activity in Southern California
- Develop strong partnerships with Uniformed Service Hospitals, VA Medical Centers and other organizations that treat, support and rehabilitate wounded service members
- Preserve and improve our soaring site for future generations
Ground Crew gets glider ready for launch
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Our Staff
Board of Directors
- George E. Moss, Founding Board Member
- Christopher A. Bennett
- Stephen L. De La Cruz
- Robert A. Van Valer
- Julie C. Bennett
- Robert J. Evans
Board of Advisors
- Christopher P. Mannion, Veterans Program
- Kathleen Fredette, Soaring STEM Program
- Mark Fredette, Soaring STEM Program
Management
Chris Bennett
General Manager
Julie Bennett
Director,
Non Profit Development
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Line Crew, Office & Interns
The Line Crew gets to have some soaring time
Nick Williams
Lead Line Crew
Alexis Williams
Line Crew & Office
Miguel Pichardo
Line Crew
Max Nippell
Line Crew
Cameron Evans
Line Crew
Miguel Vega Paz
Line Crew
Nicholas Alvarez
Line Crew
Interns & Line Crew
Interns & Line Crew
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Instructors
George Govednik
Instructor
Dale Masters
Rides / Soaring
Martin Martorana
Instructor
Adrian Weisz
Instructor
Jim Lewis
Instructor
Frank Gomez
Instructor
George Tamayo
Instructor
Stewart Ayotte
Instructor
Gary Forister
Instructor
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Tow Pilots
Steve De La Cruz
Chief Tow Pilot
Ryan Antoon
Tow Pilot
Mike Pederson
Tow Pilot
Bob Oberto
Tow Pilot
Paul Smith
Tow Pilot
Jeff Jewell
Tow Pilot
Inigo Markle-Allen
Tow Pilot
Bela Kalapos
Tow Pilot
Ken Melton
Tow Pilot
Joe Curtis
Tow Pilot
Brian Thomson
Tow Pilot
Mike Malis
Tow Pilot
Scott Dupuis
Tow Pilot
Casey Sanders
Tow Pilot
Patrick Thierren
Tow Pilot
George Govednik
Tow Pilot
Scott Malherbe
Tow Pilot
Roland Wahlroos-Ritter
Tow Pilot
David Werner
Tow Pilot
Dov Margalit
Tow Pilot
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Facilities
In addition to our office, we have a covered picnic area, and a lounge with instructor's office.
SCSA's volunteers - planning the wounded troop flying days activities
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