The historic Torrey Pines Gliderport has been listed as a National Soaring Landmark by the National Soaring Museum, a San Diego City Historical Site, and is listed on the California Register and National Registers of Historic Places. It is the only gliderport adjacent to west coast of America that supports four different forms of motorless aviation; hang gliders, paragliders, radio-controlled model sailplanes and full-scale sailplanes. The cliffs along Torrey Pines have been used for soaring since at least 1930 and many famous aviators have earned their wings training at the gliderport. During World War II, the gliderport was used as part of Camp Callan for the training of U.S. Army cadets. After the war, sailplanes returned and have flown continuously at the location since 1946. Several national and international soaring records have been set at the site over the years.

The Executive Council of the Torrey Pines Gliderport Historical Society is known as the Torrey Pines Soaring Council. This Council is a collection of members from the various glider clubs that use this historic gliderport and has helped coordinate issues between the users and property owners of the site since 1978. Members on the Council represent the Torrey Pines Radio Controlled Soaring Society, Inc., San Diego Hang Glider and Paraglider Association, Associated Glider Clubs of Southern California, United States Hang Glider Association, the Soaring Society of America, Academy of Model Aeronautics, and the Torrey Pines Scale Soaring Society.

The Torrey Pines Gliderport Historical Society

P.O. Box 370433, San Diego, CA 92137 (858) 455-6429

contact the webmaster: John McNeil

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last updated: 8/28/2006