We, volunteers are Sugar Valley Airport, are grateful to have some wonderful neighbors and partners. One of such connections is our friends at Piedmont Soaring Society (PSS), located just about a 10 minute drive from SVA. 

Mid October the volunteers of PSS have generously treated SVA volunteers to a beautiful day of soaring fun, genuine camaraderie, delicious picnic food and loads of inspiration. We all had a delightful time, and would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to PSS!  

PSS is also volunteer run and provides tows and instructional flights to its members, as well as  introductory rides to guests and potential new members in their two-seat sailplanes.

Take a look at some photos from our soaring adventure! 

And now enjoy this video capturing some of the magical moments.

Many of us know Sandra Smith — the SVA Aviation Ground School instructor, CAP Sugar Valley Composite Squadron and Young Eagle pilot, from among many other roles we may know and recognize her. Recently Sandra was awarded by The Ninety-Nines International an Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship, specifically the Vicki Cruse Memorial Scholarship for Emergency Maneuver Training. Only one such scholarship is awarded each year to those who apply out of the more than 5,000 members worldwide. The course covers not only “upset recovery,” but also spin training and an introduction to aerobatics, the purpose of which is to enhance piloting skills and safe operations.  

Sandra represents a beautiful example of focus, dedication and persistence, and we are proud to know and have her on our team of volunteers who make Sugar Valley such a flourishing place.

Audrey Floyd (Scholarship Chairman of the Kitty Hawk Chapter of The Ninety-Nines) expressed it this way:  We all know about Sandra’s service and dedication to the 99s, and she is also very committed to promoting aviation to the community in general.  Her hard work and sacrifice has made her extremely deserving of this award.  Please join me in congratulating her on this prestigious award!

​We are indeed joining in celebration of this meaningful accomplishment. Sandra will be an amazing ambassador for women in aviation and as a representative for The Ninety-Nines. There could not be a more lovely ambassador! Congratulations, Sandra!