Mid-South Soaring Foundation

Mid-South Soaring Foundation The Mid-South Soaring Foundation exists to support the art and sport of soaring.

On Sunday, August 16, 2026, Wyatt Michael of Friendship, TN exercised an Introductory Membership Scholarship. Our Found...
08/17/2026

On Sunday, August 16, 2026, Wyatt Michael of Friendship, TN exercised an Introductory Membership Scholarship. Our Foundation is sponsoring them and Wyatt came to fly! This scholarship is redeemed at Memphis Soaring in Cherry Valley, AR and details are viewable under the membership tab on their site at www.memphis-soaring.org.

After time flying the club simulator and hearing how one learns to fly gliders, he took an hour-long flight with Memphis Soaring instructor Gyorgy Gulyas where conditions provided lift to almost 7000.

We love success stories, don’t we? Such is the case of one Jacob Goughnour from Memphis. He was a Mid-South Soaring He...
07/29/2026

We love success stories, don’t we? Such is the case of one Jacob Goughnour from Memphis. He was a Mid-South Soaring Hendrix scholarship recipient in 2020, 15 at the time, and went on to solo in Memphis Soaring’s L-23 Super Blanik. He subsequently went off to college and is currently approaching his commercial power checkride at MTSU in east Tennessee. A career in aviation is his goal.

It is the norm for youth to cancel their membership as they go off to college, unless they have a parent flying as well. Jacob’s family has maintained his membership in Memphis Soaring and, last weekend, he was over to serve his duty as Line Officer….drove from MTSU, located in Murfreesboro, TN. Club members take turns serving the club by assisting in the day’s operations, helping to position and launch gliders, among other duties.

On July 25, 2026, Jacob brought over a fellow classmate, Cooper Williams, who is from Memphis as well and is about to take his commercial check ride too. I took him up in the ASK-21B for a flight and asked him how he got into flying. He said he and Jacob went to school together and related how, when he learned of Jacob’s learning to fly, began to consider it. That led to his family planning on just that and his eventual enrollment at MTSU.

Of course, Jacob and I flew later and his work at MTSU was apparent…he is a “good stick”. I know that he and Cooper will do well and look forward to hearing how their careers go. How rewarding it is to see how the seeds we plant grow.

Thanks to all who give to the benefit of others.

02/19/2026

The deadline for the 2026 Hendrix Scholarship is February 28. Please forward or repost to those who might be interested.

01/09/2026

Thanks to all who donated to the Foundation on behalf of the Chilhowee Soaring Association's Junior Scholarship. We raised enough to fund one scholarship and we'll post here when the first one is awarded!

Donations will be accepted going forward through the page hosted by the Memphis Soaring Society to further fund such scholarships and are appreciated!

12/29/2025

As the year closes, we'd once again ask that you consider a last-minute gift to Chilhowee Soaring's recently created Junior Scholarship. One way to show appreciation to what Sarah and Jason do on behalf of us, not only through soaring at CSA, but also what they do in support of US soaring globally in competitions is to make a donation of any amount.

We readily acknowledge that all of us are bombarded with mail from many organizations seeking our financial gifts and that some of us already support them through gifts to the SSA's US Team drives. That being said, won't you assist with getting this program funded for 2026?

See details and donate through the MSSF Scholarships page, hosted by Memphis Soaring.

Wishing all a happy and safe soaring season in 2026!

12/29/2025

Hendrix Scholarship Application Window Now Open

Memphis Soaring Society Life Member Roy Hendrix (1926-2020) was a long-time club member serving as tow pilot, grounds keeper, financial backer and all around solid guy. In 2018 Roy created the initial funding for the scholarship program with one bearing his name. Roy passed in January 2020 and the Foundation is thankful for his generosity. A great person was Roy, and he is missed. This scholarship is offered in the spirit of the selflessness demonstrated over the many years by Roy.

The Mid-South Soaring Foundation (MSSF) provides scholarships to support soaring as part of its stated mission: To promote the art of motorless flight. The Roy Hendrix scholarship provides training at the Memphis Soaring Society (MSS) Gliderport so that qualified youth are given the opportunity to obtain glider pilot licenses that permit participation toward growth and development in all phases of soaring flight.

This scholarship is awarded annually to a 13-22 year-old, full time student with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The application requires an essay which should present a convincing argument that the applicant desires to participate in soaring, has an appreciation for the nature of the sport and the effort required to obtain proficiency. The essay is to be of a high quality that demonstrates communication skills and must be received no later than February 28 annually. The award will be announced by March 15. The recipient may not reach their 23rd birthday prior to September 30th of the application year. For 2025 there is one available.

The award will consist of a one-year membership in the Soaring Society of America, MSS Club Dues, Tow fees, Glider rental, and Instruction up to $2,000. Should scholarship funds remain after the one year period, the scholarship can be extended one year if the student has demonstrated consistent progress toward the glider pilot license goal.

See the MSSF page on the Memphis Soaring site for more and the application:

12/19/2025

Thank you to all who have donated to date! Acknowledgements have been sent out to donors and we have received $1,650 towards our matching gift of $3,500…still more work to do.

This scholarship allows Chilhowee to come alongside students, identified by CSA, as worthy of a financial boost. If you have benefited from Sarah and Jason’s commitment to further our soaring endeavors, this is one way to show your appreciation. I know that, absent Sarah’s encouragement, I would not have achieved my Diamond and all the memories it brings. I suspect many of us are grateful as well for her and Jason's mentoring and help over the years.

The Foundation Board added Sarah Arnold, Gary Carter and Joel Odem to assist with making sure that this scholarship has sufficient intent and oversight. Please join us in this effort by donating before year's end.

Please let me know if there are any questions and consider a contribution today! Donate through the donation page, below, hosted by Memphis Soaring.

Mark Olinger
Secretary/Treasurer
MSSF

As the year comes to an end, many of us are reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead to 2026. We take stock of the opportuni...
11/27/2025

As the year comes to an end, many of us are reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead to 2026. We take stock of the opportunities that went well (and those that didn’t!) as we plan for the year ahead. The Mid-South Soaring Foundation (MSSF) is no different! We are actively preparing to support youth programs and other initiatives connected with the Memphis Soaring Society (MSS) and the Chilhowee Soaring Association (CSA).
While MSS has benefited from several youth scholarships in recent years, our efforts to assist young pilots at Chilhowee are just getting underway with the introduction of the new CSA Junior Scholarship. This program will provide dollar-for-dollar matching funds to help worthy Junior pilots advance their training.

We’re also excited to share that a generous donor has offered a $3,500 matching gift. That means every dollar you contribute, up to $3,500, will be doubled, directly increasing our ability to support youth training and glider operations. Won’t you join us by donating to ensure we benefit of every dollar from this match?

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA!
Want to honor or remember a special person in your life? Make a donation and include their name and address—we’ll send a card letting them know you are thinking of them and appreciate them. It’s the perfect gift for that hard-to-shop-for person and a meaningful way to support the volunteers who keep MSS and CSA soaring.

Visit the MSSF Donations page (hosted by MSS) and help support glider operations and youth training today—and remember, your gift goes twice as far thanks to the matching donation!

https://mss.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=740138&module_id=680833

11/15/2025

The MSSF is a 501(c)(3) and has been supporting the art and science of soaring since its founding in 2003 through scholarships for new students as well as for aspiring instructors. Additionally, we have helped fund various initiatives including equipment purchases and debt reduction through grants. Thank you for considering a contribution to the Mid-South Soaring Foundation (MSSF).

Our primary focus has been in supporting the Memphis Soaring Society (MSS) and, more recently, the Chilhowee Soaring Association (CSA). Donations can be directed to specific funds through the Donations Page on the Memphis Soaring Society's web site. THANKS to MSS for the use of your site!

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4710 White Pass Drive
Collierville, TN
38017

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