Who are we? The Canadian Soaring Society (CSS) is a group of over 300 sailplane enthusiasts who have taken part in the CSS soaring accomplishment program over the last 19 years. Many have earned one or more levels in the program and three have attained Diamond status, the highest level the CSS offers.

     The CSS was started 19 years ago by a group of fliers from the Central Ontario Glider Group in Ontario, Canada. Fourteen people were entered on the CSS roster on the same day in December, 1985 and included Jack Nunn, Reg Bowyer, Mike Thomas and Bud Wallace, to name a few. By the following year, there were 142 members including 39 from the USA and one from the UK.

    What does the CSS do? The initial concept of the founding members was that the CSS would maintain a soaring accomplishment program which recognized the incremental accomplishments of  its members. It was hoped that it would promote the sport of RC Soaring and perhaps become a national voice for sailplane fliers in Canada. Although this has not happened, the soaring accomplishment program has been a success over the years. The founding members passed the soaring program to western Canada in 1990 and a Calgary flier, Al Hoar managed the program until 1995. When he moved to full-sized sailplanes, the program was passed to myself (Brian Olson) and I have continued to offer the program to interested fliers in Canada and the USA since then.

The CSS web site was started by myself in December, 2001. At that time the membership stood at 321. Of this membership, there were 3 Diamond, 10 Gold, 20 Silver and 56 Bronze level members. The Diamond level is equivalent to the LSF 5  and includes the first holder, Steve Yurchevich (June 21, 1990), Doug Barry (March 20, 1995) and Richard Proseus from North Carolina (April 13, 1997). Sadly, Steve Yurchevich has since passed away and currently there is no Canadian Diamond level flier.

    Where do you fit in? Have a look at the information on this web site and learn about the program and the task levels. If you are just getting in to this sport, completing the first level (Bronze) will be a valuable way to gain the basic skills that you will need for a good start in the sport. Find a mentor to help you accomplish the tasks in this level and by the time your are finished, you will have the skills needed to become a capable sailplane pilot.

If you have been in the sport for some time and are looking for a challenge, you will find the subsequent task levels to be a satisfying way to improve your skills.

As for myself, I will continue to offer the CSS program as a way to give back to a sport that I have found to be an endless source of personal satisfaction. Hopefully, it will be the same for you!

I can be contacted at the address below or by e-mail.

You can also print the CSS Application form available in pdf format on this site.

LLink to PDF Form

Brian J. Olson (CSS Director)

Box 51, Site 1, RR 9

Calgary, Alberta, Canada  T2J 5G5

<drbolson@telus.net>