Ridge Soaring Gliderport

Unionville, US 🇺🇸 Small Airport

ICAO

79N

IATA

Elevation

815 ft

Region

US-PA

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: 79N

Local Code: 79N

Location: 40.8839° N, -77.907204° E

Continent: NA

Type: Small Airport

Terminal Information Not Available
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What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Ridge Soaring Gliderport (79N) in Unionville, US, which was once a world-renowned destination for glider enthusiasts, has permanently closed. It was sold in early 2022 and is being converted into a horse ranch. This means recent traveler reviews and experiences directly at 79N are unavailable, as the facility is no longer operational for gliding activities. However, historical sentiment indicates it was highly regarded by the soaring community for its exceptional flying conditions and supportive environment.

What Travelers Loved (Historically):

Exceptional Soaring Conditions: The gliderport was strategically located where the Allegheny plateau meets the Bald Eagle Ridge, offering world-famous ridge, thermal, and wave soaring opportunities. Gliders could reach altitudes over 32,000 feet in wave lift and thermals often rose above 18,000 feet.
Record-Setting Location: Numerous U.S. National and World records, including FAI world records, were set from this airfield.
Support for Pilots: It was known for accommodating pilots new to ridge soaring and providing good support for both beginners and experienced record flyers.
On-site Amenities (Historical): The gliderport historically offered facilities such as three large hangars, a heated workshop, a bunkhouse with a break area that could sleep up to 15, RV hookups, a retail store, training room, offices, and a flight control room.
Central Location: Situated in central Pennsylvania, it was within a 500-mile radius of half the U.S. population, making it accessible from various states.

Common Complaints

Closure of Gliderport: The most significant "complaint" for the soaring community is the permanent closure of the gliderport in 2022.
Deteriorating Local Conditions: Prior to its sale, some noted that housing development, improved roadways, and general growth of State College had negatively impacted the soaring conditions in that specific section of the ridge.
Runway Condition (Historical): The runway surface, a mix of asphalt, turf, grass, and sod, was noted to be in poor condition and to drain poorly, with water accumulating during rainy periods.
Unmarked Runway and Displaced Thresholds (Historical): Runway and displaced thresholds were unmarked, and approach slopes had obstructions like trees.

Ridge Soaring Gliderport was a truly special place for the soaring community, celebrated for its unique geographical advantages that allowed for exceptional ridge, thermal, and wave soaring, attracting pilots from around the world and leading to many record-setting flights. While it offered basic but functional amenities like a bunkhouse, its primary appeal was always the unparalleled flying experience. The closure of this historic gliderport marks a significant loss for the sport. Most glider traffic in the region has since shifted to Mifflin County Airport.

Generated False weeks ago

This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

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Airport Routes

Popular Flight Routes

Routes Not Available: Flight routes are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service. Ridge Soaring Gliderport is classified as a small airport without scheduled service.

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Destination	IATA	City	Aircraft Type	Airline	Details	Route Map
Route Data Not Loaded Get fresh route data for Ridge Soaring Gliderport from FlightAware API Last updated: 3 days, 6 hours ago This will fetch real-time data including recent departures and scheduled flights

For Pilots

Designation	Length	Width	Surface	Status
`07/25`	3322 ft	150 ft	ASPH-TURF-F	Active

Type	Description	Frequency

Ident	Name	Type	Frequency

Ground Transportation

Ground Transportation Information

Detailed ground transportation information for Ridge Soaring Gliderport is being prepared. This includes information about taxis, rental cars, and public transportation options.

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