Since Garret was preparing for the record he had extensive preparation and ended up soloing on his 100th logged glider flight in basic two seat trainers to advanced single seat competitive sailplanes. Soaring is a family sport. Many students solo on their fourteenth birthday. The oldest student to solo at Sky Sailing was 82 years young. There are hundreds of schools and clubs across the country, ready to teach the best way to learn to fly, in a glider.
Gliders teach basic flight in a quick, easy, inexpensive and focused way.
Soaring is a technical outdoor sport based on teamwork and a respect for the environment. On Monday, September 13th, Garret and his dad embarked upon an adventure. They climbed in the local area with little lift for almost two hours, then they soared out of range of the airport and climbed using only nature as their power. They climbed sharing thermals to 12,000' over Toro Peak near Palm Springs and crossed the desert floor to the mountain range to the north. Losing altitude they almost landed at Chiriaco Summit Airport, but Garret's determination and will power got him back up and on course.