Soaring Society of America

What Soaring Society of America does

The Soaring Society of America (SSA), founded in 1932 and headquartered in Hobbs, New Mexico, is the official national governing body for motorless flight (soaring/gliding) in the United States and the US affiliate of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Incorporated as a New Mexico 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it operates with a lean headquarters staff of approximately 7 employees and a 17-member Board of Directors. Its core product is a multi-tiered membership offering (Full Member from $45/year, plus Youth, Family, Associate, Subscription, Lifetime, and Business tiers) extended to nearly 10,000 individual pilots, commercial flight schools, sailplane dealers, and soaring clubs across 12 regional chapters.

SSA's underlying technology consists of a WordPress-based digital membership platform with online forums (general, training, safety, scholarships, racing, advocacy), webinar systems, event management, and the monthly Soaring Magazine (print and digital archive). The broader product surface spans training and certification resources (instructor courses, ground schools, books, safety videos via the Soaring Safety Foundation), youth development programs (junior camps, scholarships, dedicated forums), competition governance (US Teams sanctioning and FAI representation), and an online sailplane classifieds marketplace. Merchandise (apparel, accessories, media) is sold through an owned e-commerce storefront.

The revenue model combines recurring subscription revenue (individual and business memberships) with one-time merchandise sales, donations (one-time and recurring, including designated funds for scholarships, US Teams, and the Soaring Safety Foundation), and endowment income managed through the separately incorporated SSA Foundation. The Foundation, created in 1998 and holding $5 million+ in assets as of August 2021 (per Vanguard custody), administers 20+ distinct funds. Distribution combines direct online membership sales with a network of ~20 commercial glider flight schools and regional chapters serving as recruitment channels; a biennial SSA Convention and participation at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh anchor event-driven engagement.

Name

Soaring Society of America

Legal name

Soaring Society of America, Inc.

Website

https://ssa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Soaring Society of America is a 1932-founded New Mexico 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as the US national governing body for glider soaring, with roughly 10,000 members, headquarters in Hobbs, NM, and revenue from tiered memberships, merchandise, donations, and a $5M+ endowment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Membership Organization

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Olympic & Multi-Sport Governing Bodies (IOC/IPC, Continental Games Federations) (MPAKAFAA)

Keywords

• Gliding aviation
• Soaring membership
• Pilot training
• Flight scholarships
• Aviation advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Hobbs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees ranging from $45 for Full Members to various lifetime and business membership tiers. Multiple membership types including Full Member, Associate, Family, Youth, Subscription, and Lifetime options.
2. Merchandise Sales: SSA sells branded merchandise including apparel (polos, jackets, hoodies), accessories (laptop backpacks, lapel pins, camo hats), books, DVDs, and calendars through its online shop.
3. Donations and Contributions: Accepts one-time and recurring donations with options to designate funds to scholarships, US Teams, Soaring Safety Foundation, or general operations. The Society of Eagles recognition program acknowledges major donors.
4. Business Member Listings and Services: Commercial glider flight schools, sailplane dealers, insurance providers, maintenance services, and equipment suppliers pay for business membership listings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Soaring Society of America (SSA) is a nonprofit national governing body that sells memberships to individual glider pilots, clubs, and commercial operators. Its offerings include membership tiers, Soaring Magazine, flight training scholarships, instructor courses, youth camps, safety training resources, books and publications, conventions, competitions, sailplane classifieds, branded merchandise, and the SSA Foundation endowment vehicle.

Product overview

The Soaring Society of America is a membership-based national organization (est. 1932) serving nearly 10,000 members in the gliding and soaring aviation community. The organization operates as a platform of interconnected services centered around its core membership product, which provides access to Soaring Magazine, online forums, scholarships, and member benefits. The product portfolio includes training and educational materials (ground schools, instructor courses, books), youth development programs (junior camps, scholarships), competitive racing support (US Teams, contests, live tracking via WeGlide), and financial vehicles (SSA Foundation endowment management, donation programs). Secondary offerings include merchandise, classifieds for sailplane transactions, and the biennial SSA Convention. SSA acts as an umbrella organization representing collective interests of individuals, clubs, chapters, and businesses in US soaring, with advocacy before Federal agencies and a separate Soaring Safety Foundation entity for safety education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SSA Membership Annual and lifetime membership tiers (Full, Associate, Family, Youth, Subscription, Business) providing access to Soaring Magazine, online forums, member locator, scholarships, EAA discounts, sailplane insurance discounts, and proficiency awards for individual glider pilots, families, youth, and commercial operators.
• Soaring Magazine Monthly print and digital publication featuring gliding techniques, safety, competitions, equipment, and soaring community news, distributed to SSA members.
• Soaring Scholarships Flight training and college scholarship awards of varying amounts (e.g., SSA Flight Training $2,000, Kolstad College $10,000, Bultman Youth $1,000, Junior CFI-G $3,000) granted annually to aspiring and active glider pilots.
• Training Courses and Ground Schools Flight instructor training, wing runner courses, tow pilot courses, and periodic ground schools for glider pilot development and certification.
• Books and Publications Educational print materials including Glider Pilot Logbook, Learning To Fly Gliders, Private Pilot Glider Checkride Made Easy, and Safer Soaring Made Easy sold to pilots and students.
• SSA Convention Biennial conventions featuring sessions, competitions, networking, and educational events for the soaring community, with the next edition scheduled for 2026.
• Junior Camps and Programs Up to 10 junior grants annually for soaring camps to individuals under 26 years old, plus junior scholarships and dedicated junior forums supporting youth development in aviation.
• SSA Merchandise SSA-branded merchandise including apparel (polos, hoodies, jackets, caps), accessories (laptop backpacks, lapel pins), Cloudstreet Blu-Ray DVD, and SSA calendars sold through an online storefront.
• SSA Foundation A New Mexico 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that holds, invests, and manages endowment funds and long-term donations across 20+ distinct funds supporting scholarships, US Teams, and general operations, with assets invested via Vanguard Group.
• Donations and Giving Programs One-time and recurring donation programs supporting scholarships, US Teams (Women, Juniors, 15m, Standard, Club, 20m 2-place, Open), the Soaring Safety Foundation, and general operations, with the Society of Eagles recognition program for major donors.

Quantifiable outcome

• SSA offers up to 10 junior grants annually for soaring camps to members under 26
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Collegiate Soaring AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSA was formed in late 1985 to foster and promote the amateur sports of gliding and soaring in the context of Colleges and Universities on a National and non-profit basis. Works with SSA to support collegiate soaring programs.
• League of Silent FlightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 1969 to provide collective identification for radio control sailplane enthusiasts. The non-profit LSF fosters and supports all phases of both sporting and competition activity for model sailplanes and encourages the advancement of model aeronautics and related aspects of RC soaring.
• National Soaring MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreserves and presents the heritage of motorless flight, and promotes through education, a greater knowledge of soaring, aeronautics, and related physical sciences for everyone.
• US Southwest Soaring MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreserves soaring history, displaying dozens of historic sailplanes, motorgliders, hang gliders, and ultralights. Also includes model gliders, photos, books, and other soaring memorabilia.
• Soaring Safety FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeparate operational entity from SSA that addresses safety education and training of soaring pilots. Operates independently while supporting SSA's mission. Hosts safety seminars, produces training materials, and maintains incident databases.
• 1-26 AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStimulates interest in, and promotes the sport of soaring in the Schweizer 1-26 sailplane. Supports ownership and flying of this specific aircraft type.
• Vintage Sailplane AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes the acquisition, restoration and flying of vintage sailplanes by its members, and assists the National Soaring Museum in the preservation of soaring history and the promotion of vintage sailplane activity.
• Experimental Soaring AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStimulates interest in sailplane design and construction. Formerly known as Sailplane Homebuilders.
• Women Soaring Pilots AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes all aspects of soaring for women glider pilots. Supports female participation in the sport at all levels.
• Auxiliary-Powered Sailplane AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASA, Inc. was founded to encourage the design, development and safe use of self-launching and sustainer engine sailplanes to advance the art of soaring.
• Freedom's Wings International, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization run by and for people with physical disabilities. Provides opportunity for physically challenged individuals to fly in specially adapted sailplanes, either as passengers or through flight training programs.
• World Class Soaring AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAims to grow the sport of soaring worldwide and to carry the sport to the Olympics. The International Gliding Commission (IGC) created the World Class to provide a safe and affordable single-design glider to support one-design competitions.
• EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSSA provides EAA discounts to members. Co-hosts events including EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI where SSA participates.
• FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSA represents the US at FAI-approved World Gliding Championships. Governs international competition standards and badge requirements.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): US-based membership organization for sport and experimental aviation. SSA partners with EAA to deliver member discounts and co-hosts EAA AirVenture, operating a parallel model in adjacent aviation verticals.
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): Largest US general aviation membership association. While focused on powered flight, AOPA competes for the same pilot-recruitment pool and sets precedent for aviation-membership business models and federal advocacy.
• National Aeronautic Association (NAA): US national aero club affiliated to FAI. Operates a similar advocacy/membership/representation model for broader US aviation interests and shares US-side FAI liaison responsibilities.
• Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI): International federation governing air sports including gliding. SSA represents the US at FAI-approved World Gliding Championships, making FAI a direct umbrella governing counterpart.

Direct peers

• Soaring Safety Foundation: Separate non-profit entity co-located with SSA that handles safety education, training materials, and incident data. Operates as a sibling 501(c)(3) with overlapping donor and audience base.
• Soaring Society of Canada: National governing body for gliding in Canada. Direct functional counterpart to SSA with similar membership structure, competition organization, and FAI representation duties in a different national market.
• British Gliding Association (BGA): UK national body for gliding. Operates the same governing/sanctioning/membership/representation model as SSA but serves the United Kingdom membership base.
• Collegiate Soaring Association (CSA): Non-profit promoting collegiate amateur soaring. Mutual SSA partner replicating the umbrella-organization structure for a specific segment of the soaring population.
• League of Silent Flight (LSF): Non-profit organization supporting radio-control sailplane soaring in the US. Listed as a core SSA partner and operates with analogous federation, events, and membership structure for a sub-discipline of soaring.

Regional players

• Deutscher Aero Club (DAeC): German aero club, including a gliding division, with comparable governance and member-service structure to SSA in a different national geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/soaringamerica
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCG-Wg-00_AY-WyBT9P3vM9w
• Facebookfacebook.com/SoaringSocietyofAmerica
• Instagraminstagram.com/thesoaringsociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soaring-society-of-america

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Soaring Society of America