For Sale: 2023 S12G Stemme Motor Glider

Stemme N921GH Motor Glider

2023 S12G Stemme Motor Glider – N921GH – $520,000 Are you ready to embark on the ultimate flying experience? This is a chance to own a brand new (20 hours) S12G Stemme Motor Glider without any waiting time! Due to … read more

For Sale: 1991 Diamond HK36R Super Dimona

1991 Diamond HK36R Super Dimona - N351HK

1991 Diamond HK36R Super Dimona – N351HK – $99,900 A fully equipped self-launching wave exploration machine with many flights to 18k feet. Smooth running Rotax 912 climbs great at gross weight and density altitudes over 9,000 ft. Current owner operates … read more

Payson Scenic Tours

glider at Payson airport at sunset

Scenic Tours from Payson, AZ, the Home Base of Sky King Soaring™ Penny’s Favorite Explore even more northward toward Strawberry, Pine and the Mogollon Rim on this 22-minute journey. You will see remnants of the Zane Grey cabin as well … read more

Flight Instruction

happy guys in motor glider at Payson airport

Learn to Soar in a Motorglider! Adding a glider rating to your SEL or PPL. Cost for flight instruction is approximately $2500-3000 for a private add-on and $3000 for a commercial add-on. Or begin from scratch and learn to soar … read more

Student Photo Gallery

Dan and Tom Allen, both smiling

Not sure if you can soar? We have had successful students from 14 to 93. You too can become a motorglider pilot.

Sky King Soaring Testimonials

Russ with Jens

Testimonial from Stephen Ryan, Aviation Safety Inspector, Germany In May 2014 I spent 2 weeks with Sky King Soaring in Payson AZ. to obtain my FAA Commercial Glider Certificate. Even though I had not flown in the United States for … read more

Flight Training Documents

Here are some documents you’ll want to review or print out to prepare for your training flights. N638TT checklist More documents soon!

Landing a Motorglider

As any pilot will tell you, landing is the tricky part. The picture above shows a nice flare height. And here’s a video that shows what a good landing in a motorglider looks like. Get started with your training today! … read more

Contact Us

Sky King Soaring™ LLC is based at Payson Airport (KPAN) in beautiful Payson, Arizona. Russ Hustead is the owner and head of operations. You can reach us via email at russ@skykingsoaring.com Or call us at (602) 622-2257. Mailing address available … read more

Sky King Soaring in the media

Russ Hustead with motor glider at Payson airport

Popular Mechanics Russ Hustead, owner of SKY KING SOARING, was interviewed by Popular Mechanics on the 2009 Hudson River Crash. Read the article. when Russ Hustead, a gliding instructor and owner of Arizona-based Sky King Soaring, first saw the news, … read more

A Perfect Glider Landing Sequence

Here’s a perfect example of landing a (motor) glider with no engine. These photos were taken during a soaring contest at Estrella Sailport south of Phoenix, AZ. One of the great advantages of a motorglider! Using the motor is optional.

Top 12 Reasons

Here are the top 12 reasons why you should receive your flight training at SkyKingSoaring: The weather is almost always great in Payson, Arizona, USA. Did I mention thermals to 18,000 MSL in May and June and wave to FL … read more

Letter From An FAA Examiner

reference letter from Terry Brandt, Master Certified Flight Instructor

Russ Hustead was chosen by the FAA to train the FAA inspector who must certify the examiners who conduct checkrides in motorgliders. This is what an FAA examiner thought of Russ.

What To Expect On Your Soaring Tour

motorglider over Payson Airport runway

Our home base is Payson, Arizona. Following are tips to have the best soaring adventure ever and directions to the Payson Airport. Things To Do To Guarantee The Flight Adventure Of A Lifetime! Directions To Payson Airport Use this address … read more

Meet Your Pilot: Russ Hustead

Russ Hustead with motor glider at Page AZ

Whether flying behind the dependable turbo-powered Rotax 914 in Sky King Soaring’s™ beautiful Diamond Xtreme, or enjoying the uplift of an Arizona thermal in a conventional sailplane, Russ Hustead loves soaring flight. Russ has accumulated over 6500 hours since he … read more

Motorglider and Soaring Links

Here are links to motorglider and soaring resources. Soaring Associations Touring Motor Gliders Association (TMGA) – https://www.motorgliders.org/ Arizona Soaring Association – http://www.asa-soaring.org/ Soaring Society of America – https://www.ssa.org Soaring Weather/Flight Planning Windy – https://www.windy.com/ Aircraft-related Sites Diamond Aircraft – https://www.diamondaircraft.com/en/ … read more

Motorgliders vs. Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)

motor glider flying near clouds

Reasons hands down to fly a motorglider rather than a light sport aircraft (LSA). Fly in a proven, certified airframe with a standard airworthiness certificate – utility category. Fly above 10,000 feet MSL – in fact powered or un-powered soaring … read more