High Performance Gliding Training Camp 2026

ACAO – Calcinate del Pesce (VA)

12-18 April 2026

To enable all glider pilots to engage in sporting flights (badges, distance, speed, diplomas and records) in the magnificent flying territory offered in spring by the Central Alps, the ACAO is once again making its airport available this year, with its organization, resources and staff, to host the 19th edition of the High Performance Gliding Training Camp (SAP 2026), which will take place from 12 to 18 April 2026.

The exceptional weather conditions of the flying area (alpine and pedemontana), the facilities of the Adele and Giorgio Orsi Airport and the organizational skills of the ACAO and its staff are well known to gliding pilots from all over the world, and the spring flights of high sporting value with take-off from the ACAO are now uncountable. These include a number of European records, numerous Italian distance and speed records, all FAI records up to the 1,250 km diploma, dozens of flights of over 1,000 km, including the first 1.000 km FAI declared triangle with take-off from Italy, up to flights of over 1,600 km, the longest ever made on the Italian side of the Alps.

The latest editions of SAP are certainly still fresh in the minds of participants, thanks to the great exploration flights conducted across most of the Alps, the numerous flights of over 1,000 km (also declared and completed), the broken records and the atmosphere of friendship, passion and desire to learn that characterised them.

The SAP is designed for pilots of all levels with a glider and a valid FAI membership card. Participation in the SAP is particularly recommended for pilots who have already obtained at least the Silver diploma and have good mountain flying experience (participation in other stages and/or competitions and at least 300 km flown in the mountains).

Programme

Each day of the SAP, in addition to the ACAO staff, several pilots from the Italian team will be present on the field. Participating pilots will thus have a constant reference on the ground for any need or advice (flight territory, out landing, waypoints and task of the day, take-off time and start point of the task, etc.).

Every morning a weather briefing will be held with suggestions to pilots on the day’s tasks according to different individual targets. Where possible, de-briefings will also be held in the evening or in the morning of the following day for the analysis of flights made and/or to deal with topics of interest to pilots. In addition to the flight line, the Volo a Vela Restaurant and the ACAO Bar will also be operational throughout the week.

During the SAP there may also be the opportunity to fly with experienced pilots on high-performance two-seater gliders (ACAO Duodiscus and/or two-seaters of private pilots).

To find out about the availability of renting a Duodiscus from the ACAO fleet and the conditions of use, please contact airport director Alberto Balducci directly (direttore@acao.it). To fly instead on private two-seater gliders, interested pilots must make prior or on-site arrangements directly with the pilots who own the glider.

STAFF

Since the first edition in 2008, the SAP has been designed, organized and conducted by Alberto Sironi with the indispensable support of about 20 collaborators, specialized in the different activities required: organization, promotion, office, tows, grid line, radio, trainers and coaches, interpreter, weather forecast, task setting, scoring, bar, workshop, events, photo/video, communication, etc.

Ultimately, SAP is dedicated to those who want to:

• expand their knowledge of the Alpine flying territory
• increase their speed, particularly in mountain and pedemontana flying;
• train for participation in speed and/or distance competitions;
• attain new sport badges or diplomas and, why not, new records;
• gain significant new flying experience by comparing themselves with experienced pilots;
• simply dedicate one of the most meteorologically promising weeks in the Alps to flying in the company of friends who share the same passion, in a very well-equipped and organized Club.

Costs and registration procedures

The participation fee for the SAP consists of a glider fee of €320.00 and a pilot fee of €120.00. ACAO members and pilots who are under 26 years of age at the time of registration are entitled to a discount of €160.00 on the glider fee (discounts are cumulative). The cost of towing will be charged according to the current ACAO price list (published on acao.it).

The number of pilots at SAP is limited: applications will be selected based on several factors, including the pilot’s position in the IGC international ranking, FAI diplomas/badges obtained, flying experience, personal goals, age, date of application, and ACAO’s logistical and organisational requirements. We therefore advise interested pilots to submit their application as soon as possible by filling in the form in the Sports Activities section of the website www.acao.it. There is no fee to pay when submitting the application. Between November and December 2025, pilots whose applications have been accepted will receive written notification requesting them to confirm their registration by paying the participation fee within one week (by bank transfer or directly to the ACAO office – Daniela Miglierina +39 0332310073; segreteriaeventi@acao.it). By January 2026, all pilots who have submitted an application will receive a written response from ACAO.