The Red Wing Soaring Association is a not for-profit "co-op" type organization consisting of approximately 40 members with different backgrounds and a common interest -- soaring. Members range from first flight students to those with their own high-performance sailplanes. You don't have to be a licensed pilot to join our club; we have several flight instructors, licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration, that are club members and are available to provide the training needed to obtain your FAA soaring license. Our rates are low because we are a club in which every member shares in the operation of the club and maintenance of club equipment. We are actively pursuing new members because we wish to continue growing. We like to keep soaring fun. We have regularly scheduled social get-togethers where club members can get to know each other better and share soaring stories with each other.

The Red Wing Soaring Association was incorporated on March 22nd, 1963, in Red Wing, Minnesota. The club moved to White Bear Lake, Minnesota, in 1970 and operated there until 2005. Recently the club has chosen to move to Osceola, Wisconsin. It's hard to believe, but this friendly little soaring club has been around for over 40 years.

We are located in the Twin Cities area at LO Simenstad airport northeast of Minneapolis, St. Paul. ( See map.)

Our fleet consists of three sailplanes and a tow plane. Two Blanik L-13 two seat sailplanes and a Pilatus B-4 single seat sailplane. The Blaniks are an all metal construction and while very rugged, and are a real pleasure to fly. Blaniks are used all over the world as trainers and there are more of them worldwide than any other sailplane models. The Pilatus is a single-seat sailplane and is also of metal construction and very rugged. It's a very attractive sailplane with excellent performance to please the more experienced pilot as well as being fully acrobatic. Our tow plane is a 180 horsepower Super Cub painted the traditional cub yellow. All our sail planes are inspected regularly by FAA certified mechanics and like all aircraft, are maintained to " as new " specifications. Anything not meeting these specifications is replaced or repaired before the aircraft can be returned to service.

All members of the Red Wing Soaring Association own a share in the club assets. Members are also expected to do their share of the work, i.e. assembling the gliders at the beginning of the season, disassembling them at the end of the season, maintaining the hangar area, and acting as a Field Operations Officer the few times each year. These duties are light and no members are expected to do all the work. Click here for more details on memberships

We would love the opportunity to show you our sailplanes and take you up for a soaring flight. Try soaring with one of our instructors or commercially rated pilots. The cost is just $99 (3000' tow) or $149 (mile high tow) (entire cost will be refunded if you decide to join the club). To arrange your flight, check our Scheduling Calendar or send an email to scheduler@rwsa.org.

For more information leave a message on the club's answering machine at 651-653-1631 or send an email message to info@rwsa.org

Red Wing Soaring Association
P.O. Box 10828
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(651) 653-1631