Alvord Desert Gliders

Producers: Ed Jahn, Nick Fisher   Videographer/Editor: Nick Fisher

Glider pilots enjoy the thrill and beauty of the big wild above the Alvord desert. Once a year a group of 20-30 pilots gather for a week of soaring above the playa, but their method of getting airborne is unique. Using the 18 mile long playa as their runway, these gliders forgo the traditional airplane tow, opting instead for a tow cable hitched to a fast car. Braving dust, dirt devils and the heat of summer, the pilots find a wilderness in the sky in one of the most remote corners of Oregon.

Resources and Information

Willamette Valley Soaring Club

Willamette Valley Soaring Club Facebook