September 2, 2010

Soar Minden
Glider Pilots & Staff

Tony Sabino - Owner

Tony first flew gliders in England when stationed there with the U.S. Air Force. He has logged thousands of instructional flights in England and Minden, Nevada. He bought Soar Minden in 1988, and under his ownership the business has grown to be the best known commercial glider operation in the U.S. Now Tony works daily to improve Soar Minden and expand its scope.

Mike Moore - Pilot

Mike Moore (M2) has been an instructor/tow pilot at Soar Minden since 1996. Building on previous experience in CO, NM, AZ, and CA, he has focused on basic cross-country training using the thermal, wave, and convergence lift found year-round in the eastern Sierra Mountains. Mike enjoys working with new and experienced pilots in pursuit of all glider and basic power ratings, assisting in the certification of more than 125 pilots in recent years. M2 is an SSA Instructor, with Master Cross-Country certification, and holds US Diamond Badge #373.

Gabe Bourbeau - CFIG, Tow Pilot

Gabe came to Soar Minden in 2005 after retirement from a job flying the governor of Missouri. He has restored and flown a J3 Piper Cub and flies his own Schweizer 1-26 out of a local club in Missouri. Gabe spends several months a year in Minden, instructing and flying the tow planes.

Hod Taylor - Wave Expert

If it flies, Hod has probably piloted it. He flew missions over Italy in WWII and delivered fighters and bombers from factories in support of the war effort. After that he flew for a major American airline that disappeared long ago. He has extensive -- and we mean extensive -- experience flying wave in Colorado and Nevada and is a great source of information for new wave pilots checking out at Soar Minden. Ask to see his collection of articles about all aspects of glider flying!

Jon Hannan - Ride Pilot

Jon flew helicopters for the U.S. Air Force before retiring to the Federal Aviation Agency, where he tested gliders being imported into the United States. He has flown hundreds of different types of aircraft, gliders and hot air balloons. He is now a popular Ride Pilot at Soar Minden, where he is particularly known for his acrobatic flight. We're proud of the fact this his passengers all come back with a big grin and many come back again and again to ride with Uncle Jon.

Frank Davis - Ride Pilot

Frank is a retired Air Force pilot and Air Force Academy professor. He holds a Commercial Glider Certificate and regularly flies sightseeing rides over Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. When he's not flying Soar Minden gliders he flies his own HP-14 and works on a homebuilt glider in his backyard shop.

Bill Scully - Tow pilot

Bill holds a commercial and instrument power ratings and a private glider rating. He had a career in aviation before coming to Soar Minden and is now continuing to fly in retirement.

Dennis Johnson - Glider trailer hauler

Dennis is a Jack of All Trades with Soar Minden, having worked on the desk, on the line and in the shop longer than anyone but Tony. Health concerns keep him off the line now, but he regularly trailers gliders all over the United States for private glider owners.

Allan Powers - Composite Specialist

Allan has worked with composites for more than a dozen years, working first under the supervision of one of America's best known repair stations. Allan is a real artist with fiberglass and epoxy and his paint work has to be seen to be appreciated.

Larry Butler - A & P Mechanic

Larry has been working on airplanes for 20 years, first for a major airline, and now in the Soar Minden shop. Larry keeps our gliders and tow planes current and in the air.

George Scheer - Instructor and Towpilot

George hails from Bozeman, Montana. He's been flying since 1970. Holder of FAI Diamond badge #750, he has taught basic flying through advance Cross Country here at Soar Minden. Experienced in gliding since 1992.

Stephan Valentin - Instructor and Towpilot

Originally from Austria, Stefan has been in the U.S. since the 1970's, and moved to the Tahoe area in 2008, flying professionally since the mid-1990's. He has finally come full circle to what got him interested in aviation - Soaring! Sometimes, when Tony or the schedule allows, he still gets to ski.