24 of the country’s largest gliders will fly in national contest near Hutchinson

Some of the country’s largest gliders will compete in the Kansas Soaring Association’s 2022 Standard and 20-Meter Multi-Seat National Glider Competition June 7-16 at the Sunflower Glider Port, a few miles south of Hutchinson.

“We’re excited to have pilots from all over the country come to visit,” contest manager Tony Condon said. “We’re looking forward to some good weather next week so that the pilots can have good flights.”

Weather permitting, the gliders will be launched at noon each day of the contest. They will then set off on a cross country triangle course that may exceed 100 miles, according to a KSA news release.

At 5 p.m. the gliders will return to the airport, which is at the retired Naval Air Station at 1100 E. Essex Road, just south of Yoder, Condon said.

At this year’s contest, 24 pilots will fly the gliders, including eight national gliding champions and world gliding champion Sarah Arnold. The pilots will come to Kansas from all around the country, including New York, Florida and California, Condon said.

The gliders flying this race are fixed-wing aircraft with no engines and wingspans approaching 70 feet. They rely solely on air currents to stay aloft. A powered aircraft will tow most of the gliders into the air.

Condon said the best time to watch the contest will be during the launch before they depart for a race, as they float on currents around the airport.

“The launch is definitely the most spectator-friendly portion,” Condon said. “Once the gliders are out on task, they’re out away from the airport and there’s not really anything to watch, per se.”

The event is free of charge and open to the public.