About

Explore Motorless Flight with Franconia Soaring

The Franconia Soaring Foundation (FSF) was established in 2016, with a mission of training and educating the public on the art of motorless flight, and preserving the Franconia Airport (airport identifier 1B5) for future generations.

The Foundation maintains a close relationship with the Franconia Soaring Association, which, in 2021, celebrated 50 years as New Hampshire’s only remaining soaring operation. We are ideally located in Franconia, New Hampshire, at the foot of the White Mountains and Franconia Notch, where glider pilots can experience the best of thermal, ridge and wave soaring.

Please take a few minutes to look at our introduction to flying videos below. We think you’ll really like it.

In addition to creating greater public awareness about the art of motorless flight, we promote all phases of Glider training and education, from ground instruction and ground school webinars to flight operations; from basic instruction to advanced techniques.

Through available grants, the generosity of our donors, and the cooperation of the Association, the Foundation is able to provide resources and financial support to aid with free instructional services and access to a fleet of gliders at substantially reduced costs. The Foundation provides flight simulator software, flight simulators, and educational materials in addition to a limited number of free introductory flights for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students. Here, school-aged children and young adults have opportunities to train and earn a pilot’s license at substantially reduced cost.

The Foundation is also dedicated to the preservation of the Franconia Airport as a means of facilitating glider operations in close proximity to the uniquely favorable soaring conditions in the White Mountains geographical region, while maintaining a valuable resource available to the surrounding communities for recreational, educational, and emergency use.

Most importantly, the Foundation’s goals are to share the joys of soaring with the general public and to provide an enjoyable and affordable opportunity to fly gliders.

The Franconia Soaring Foundation is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and registered New Hampshire Charitable Trust.

We invite you to learn more about soaring and our mission, and to consider supporting those goals with a generous donation of your volunteer time or financial contributions. 

Support The Franconia Soaring Foundation by Making a Donation Today

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