Miami Gliders
Miami Gliders
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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About
Miami Gliders is South Florida's premier site for glider flight training. Located just 30 minutes South of Miami and on your way to the Florida Keys and Everglades. Our experienced staff brings the knowledge and the professionalism you expect from aviation professionals. We are FAA certified pilots and flight instructors committed to excellence, safety and above all FUN! We truly enjoy what we do here at Miami Gliders and we can't wait to take you flying.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
16 reviews
Excellent
14
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Michel V
Schwenksville, PA3 contributions
Feb 2023
Steve and Johan have this business very organized from the beginning to the end.
I traveled to Homestead Florida with the intent of training for my glider add on to my private pilot. Other than a rain shower one afternoon I managed to fly for 7 days and was successful in obtaining my certificate.
Miami Gliders is organized in their methods of teaching and the environment where they are based gave me an opportunity to learn maneuvers which will stay with me for my flying life.
In my haste to leave for my flight back I missed the opportunity to thank the rest of the staff for all they did to make my wonderful experience possible. Thanks Julia and Co.
I highly recommend Miami Gliders for your training needs or for just plain fun!
I traveled to Homestead Florida with the intent of training for my glider add on to my private pilot. Other than a rain shower one afternoon I managed to fly for 7 days and was successful in obtaining my certificate.
Miami Gliders is organized in their methods of teaching and the environment where they are based gave me an opportunity to learn maneuvers which will stay with me for my flying life.
In my haste to leave for my flight back I missed the opportunity to thank the rest of the staff for all they did to make my wonderful experience possible. Thanks Julia and Co.
I highly recommend Miami Gliders for your training needs or for just plain fun!
Written February 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
richard s
Lake Worth, FL48 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
The adventure was very exciting. A professional pilot gave me instructions. As we got towed to our 5000 ft he had me release the tow rope. I sat in the front while he controlled from the back. At one point he said I could control the glider by turning left or right. Very cool
Written November 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joshua T
Madisonville, LA7 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
This was my first time gliding, and it was really awesome. I have been flying fixed wing aircraft for over 18 years, but this is something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s well worth your time if you want to give it a try! It’s a really cool atmosphere there, and the instructor was awesome!
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ternstyle1952
Toms River, NJ151 contributions
My wife and I took turns going up in 2 seat gliders - the first time for us mid-50's (ok, maybe I no longer qualify for mid-50's) terrified of heights people. The flights were AWESOME!
I went first so I couldn't chicken out after my wife went up. We elected the 3000 ft.altitude flight (2000 and 1 mile were also available). It was a beautiful, partly cloudy day before Thanksgiving.
You sit in the very front of a long skinny plane, with the pilot directly behind you. At first, it's a little claustrophobic and hot. Your plexiglass canopy is like a fighter plane's - your field of vision is just terrific. You're hooked to a tow plane, which takes about 5 minutes to get you up to 3000 feet. There's an air vent on your right and a little window on your left which eliminate the heat right away once you get going. You have gauges in front of you just like the pilot, which tell you air speed, altitude, and whether you're climbing or descending. The glider pilot explains all the gauges and how he will look for thermals (just like the birds!) to climb and fend off gravity. The takeoff is very quick - because of the weight difference, you leave the ground before the tow plane. I was a bit apprehensive by now, but we had told both pilots we had height issues. They were quite solicitous throughout, and told us if we couldn't deal with the experience, they could get us back down quickly. The glider pilot explained what would happen when the tow rope was released, so I wasn't scared when it happened. We soon lost our fear (my wife more quickly than I). After release, the pilot found a thermal, and we soared to 3200 in just a minute or 2. The views were just spectacular! We were flying over the Everglades. Depending on where the pilot pointed us, I could see Miami, Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay, the beginning of the Keys. We dropped down to 2900 for a while and just cruised around. Then the pilot found another thermal and hopped back up to 3100 feet. He told me we were going up to scrape the bottom of a cloud. As we neared it, I looked at the gauge and saw we had gone up to 3600 feet within 2 minutes. Just amazing! He then said, "If you stick your hand out the window, you can say you touched a cloud." So of course I did! The descent was a little scary at first, because you drop very quickly and the wind noise gets louder. Again, the pilot explains exactly what's going on, and shows you how he's using the wings' air brakes to slow our speed. The descent to and landing on a grass field is just the coolest thing! My wife had pretty much the same experience, except she asked the pilot if he could do a trick, so he did a "wing over" - 1 wing pointed down, 1 up, followed by a u-turn. I was up for about 40 minutes, her about 30. All in all, this was the most unique and one of the most spectacular experiences of our lifetimes. If you go, take a video camera.
The glider guys operate out of Homestead General Aviation Airport, about 20 miles southwest of Miami.
I went first so I couldn't chicken out after my wife went up. We elected the 3000 ft.altitude flight (2000 and 1 mile were also available). It was a beautiful, partly cloudy day before Thanksgiving.
You sit in the very front of a long skinny plane, with the pilot directly behind you. At first, it's a little claustrophobic and hot. Your plexiglass canopy is like a fighter plane's - your field of vision is just terrific. You're hooked to a tow plane, which takes about 5 minutes to get you up to 3000 feet. There's an air vent on your right and a little window on your left which eliminate the heat right away once you get going. You have gauges in front of you just like the pilot, which tell you air speed, altitude, and whether you're climbing or descending. The glider pilot explains all the gauges and how he will look for thermals (just like the birds!) to climb and fend off gravity. The takeoff is very quick - because of the weight difference, you leave the ground before the tow plane. I was a bit apprehensive by now, but we had told both pilots we had height issues. They were quite solicitous throughout, and told us if we couldn't deal with the experience, they could get us back down quickly. The glider pilot explained what would happen when the tow rope was released, so I wasn't scared when it happened. We soon lost our fear (my wife more quickly than I). After release, the pilot found a thermal, and we soared to 3200 in just a minute or 2. The views were just spectacular! We were flying over the Everglades. Depending on where the pilot pointed us, I could see Miami, Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay, the beginning of the Keys. We dropped down to 2900 for a while and just cruised around. Then the pilot found another thermal and hopped back up to 3100 feet. He told me we were going up to scrape the bottom of a cloud. As we neared it, I looked at the gauge and saw we had gone up to 3600 feet within 2 minutes. Just amazing! He then said, "If you stick your hand out the window, you can say you touched a cloud." So of course I did! The descent was a little scary at first, because you drop very quickly and the wind noise gets louder. Again, the pilot explains exactly what's going on, and shows you how he's using the wings' air brakes to slow our speed. The descent to and landing on a grass field is just the coolest thing! My wife had pretty much the same experience, except she asked the pilot if he could do a trick, so he did a "wing over" - 1 wing pointed down, 1 up, followed by a u-turn. I was up for about 40 minutes, her about 30. All in all, this was the most unique and one of the most spectacular experiences of our lifetimes. If you go, take a video camera.
The glider guys operate out of Homestead General Aviation Airport, about 20 miles southwest of Miami.
Written November 30, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerasim M
Hazelwood, MO (St. Louis)94 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
In my previous review I rated this as terrible. This was because the pilot did not show up nor had informed us. We were back in South Florida in December so we called and tried again. We set a date and the pilot asked that we text him when we were on our way and we requested the same. On the way down we text him and received a reply that he was on his way also. While waiting for the tow plane pilot, we were talking with Capt. Steve, we said nothing about our previous experience. Something about where we were from reminded him and he asked if we had called about a year ago and had missed our ride. I replied yes that was us. He apologized over and over for the mistake. He flies for a major airline and had been on reserve. They called him at the last minute for a trip to South America, he had checked the reservation book but somehow overlooked ours. that had never happened before he stated, and felt very bad about it. To make up for it he pulled her to a higher altitude for a much longer ride. She loved the experience especially when he had her open the small side window and put her hand outside and feel a cloud as they went through. She was so excited about touching the cloud! When she landed, he apologized again and offered me a ride also for free. He felt very bad about our previous experience. I tried to turn him down but he would not take no for an answer. So I also got a glider ride, 1st time since 1960s I had flown in a glider. Everyone involved was super friendly and very nice. We had a great time there.so my previous review was based on a one time error, that I feel will not happen again. On our next return to Florida, my wife wants to do it again as it was so exciting. I would without reservation recommend Miami gliders for a great experience.
Written May 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tikipirate53
Delray Beach, FL1 contribution
I had huge fun with Steve and John at Miami Gliders. I chose the 5200 ft tow and it was worth every cent. Even though the weather wasn't that favorable for soaring, Steve had no trouble filling the flight with acrobatics, sightseeing, information and pure entertainment. I've flown everything from hang gliders to Jet Ranges and this ranks with the best of any of those. Homestead Airport is a little remote, but the drive there is well worth the effort. You won't be disappointed with the flight or the caliber of pilot you're flying with. Please see the video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lAFCtxiJyU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lAFCtxiJyU
Written December 25, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skystuntz
Homestead, FL7 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
What a peaceful and beautiful experience. Nothing compares to flying without an engine, it is so smooth and peaceful. All you hear is the air going by and the 360 degree view is breathtaking. The flight is difficult to explain without experiencing it. The business is operated by two professional pilots who fly the gliders as a side hobby. They been flying gliders for over 10 years and are FAA Flight Instructors. When you arrive you'll be parking right next the grass runway where you'll be taking off from in the glider. They have a nice little set up with picnic tables and chairs. There are no restrooms here so make sure you "Go" before your flight. You're going to love this experience! Don't miss out.
Written August 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerasim M
Hazelwood, MO (St. Louis)94 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
We called and made an appointment with Steve for 1pm ride two days before our ride. He asked that if we couldn't make it, to please call and let him know. We drove from Pompano Beach to Homestead, a 2 1/2 hour trip through Miami traffic. We waited 1 1/4 hours and called several times and only got voice mail. We still haven't heard anything. Wasted almost 6 hours of our last day in Fl just driving. This may well be a great 'ride', but we wouldn't know. I wouldn't do this again unless we knew someone was there waiting. Sorry...
Written December 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
Florida City, Florida, United States18 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
I took my son there for his 14th birthday present, several years ago and he got a great ride, that lasted over an hour. We went during the summer, in the morning with very little wind. The ground heated up and gave rise to some good thermals that gave him extra lift, extending his flight time. Don't go in the late afternoon, because it can too windy & you have the threat of T-storms. However, gliding in S. Florida is very weather dependent, so it's pretty much a day-by-day event, some days are better than others. High winds usually destroy thermals from reaching any high altitude. Too high of thermals in the summer humidity usually produce T-storms later in the afternoon, which is dangerous. Find that "sweet time" around 11:00 am to 1 or 2:00 pm when the thermals start really rising, but before they form storms. Call and ask one of the pilots when it's best to go.
Written March 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josh O
San Juan, Puerto Rico1 contribution
Jul 2014 • Friends
I planned my buddy's bachelor party and we took 5 of us out here to do some gliding. The bachelor had no idea what we were going to do and was pretty shocked/excited when we pulled in. The gliding experience itself was ridiculously fun. Steve did some rollercoaster tricks with us and he will even let you fly the glider a bit (as a passenger, you also have controls in front of you) which was both exhillerating and terrifying. For $100, our glides lasted anywhere from 20-30 minutes. If I were to do it again, I'd pay for higher tow and get a longer experience because none of us wanted to come down. It's well worth it.
Written July 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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