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Soaring to new heights: Cowley airstrip home to gliding club

WATCH: Soaring has been around for decades, and Southern Alberta is one of Canada’s best locations. Now, there is a club dedicated to making the sport more accessible in this area. Blake Lough has the story.

High above Cowley airfield, north-west of Pincher Creek, it is easy to understand why gliding is considered one of the most enjoyable ways to fly.

Gliders are powerless; they hold no engines or propellers. After launching into the air via a tow-plane or high-powered winch, pilots then chase pockets of warm, rising air, or thermals, and can use them to keep their gliders airborn for hours on end.

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Cowley airfield has a rich gliding history. In 1997, it was named the very first national soaring site by the Soaring Association of Canada and gliders have been soaring above the Livingstone mountain range since the 1960’s.

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“Glider pilots come from all over the world to fly at this site,” said Geoff Minors, president of the Lethbridge Soaring Club. “[They come] to join into the ‘Cowley wave’ which is an incredible experience to be at.”

That’s why earlier this year, the recently formed Lethbridge Soaring Club decided to make it their permanent base of operations.

“We want to build it up so we can fly Saturday, Sunday and through the week so we can let others experience this fantastic sport.”

To learn more about the Lethbridge Soaring Club or if you’d like to book a flight you can visit their website at: lethbridgesoaring.ca

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