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| By Carmelo Turdo |
The St.
Louis and Metro-East Illinois region is home to a thriving aviation community,
hosting a network of local chapters and clubs promoting a wide range of
interests within the industry. One of those organizations, the SilvercreekGlider Club, located in New Douglas, IL, provides the opportunity for members
and guests to experience the joy of motorless flight across the plains of the
Midwest. 
The SIlvercreek Glider Club offers a 4,000' X 200' grass runway, clubhouse with facilities, dining area and hangar space for club aircraft and trailers. Available aircraft include popular Schweizer and Grob models towed by a 250hp Piper Pawnee. Membership in the Soaring Society of America is required for club members, and a one-day membership is also available for those interested in taking a familiarization flight.
The
Aero Experience will feature Silvercreek Glider Club in our coverage of Midwest
Aviation this year as we join our friend, Gateway Flight Training CFI and
A&P Mechanic Tony Jestis, in his new role as a glider tow pilot. Jestis
earned his tow pilot wings last fall and flew his first sortie towing glider
pilot Gene Mitchell on November 6.
"I
learned to fly in gliders with the Civil Air Patrol in 1976 at age 14,"
Jestis told The Aero Experience. "Our squadron was the Macon County
Composite Squadron Number 11050. We flew out of Hilvety Airport in Moweaqua, IL
(5LL1)." Similarly, the author attended a Civil Air Patrol summer camp at
the Coles County Memorial Airport in Mattoon, IL in June of 1985 and soled in a
Schweizer training glider at the age of 15.
The
club has numerous events throughout the year, including adult and youth flying
camps and the annual pumpkin drop illustrated below.
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