Like the return of the swallows to Capistrano, gliders will come to Albert Lea again for a glider contest Sunday through May 22. The event is the Soaring Society of America Region 7 glider contest.

This is the third consecutive year for the Region 7 Contest in Albert Lea.  Previously, Albert Lea has hosted other Region 7 contests, as well as hosting all seven classes of the U.S. Nationals — the only place in the U.S. to do so.

There will be approximately 25 teams competing.  Each team usually consists of two to four people — plus families.

Winners will go on the the U.S. Glider Championships. 

Gliders will be towed aloft by towplanes before setting off on a task or course for the day. The best handicapped time over the course is the winner of the day, and cumulative points during the contest determines the overall standings.

According to a press release, competitors like to fly from Albert Lea because it’s easy to get to. Competitors bring their gliders in by trailer, and the interstates provide good access. Soaring can also be spectacular in this area during the spring as the dark fields — before the crop covers them — absorb heat and give it off to create rising columns of air thermals that lift the gliders.

The press release states pilots find the terrain is generally flat, which is a bonus as well. If a glider is forced to make a landing, there are plenty of choices.

According to a press release, the airport is ideally suited for the competition — long and wide runways — a cross runway — and a grass runway offer lots of options for landing.

Glider tasks for the day are usually triangular courses, and may be up to 300 miles long, all without an engine, from Worthington to Marshall and back to Albert Lea, for example.

There are a number of airports available to divert to along that course, but almost 90 percent of the gliders will complete the assigned task each day.

According to organizers, the public may view the activity at no charge from the area near the airport office, but cars and pedestrians must stay behind the fence.