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In 1968, Mai and Jan Scott purchased 25 acres consisting of three cow pastures located about half a mile southwest of the town of Lovettsville VA.
Within a year they had built a residence and a 2500 ft landing strip on the property. A PA-18 Super Cub was purchased the following spring, and shortly thereafter, the Short Hills Soaring Club was formed and moved in.
Initially six gliders were tied down near the north end of the property. The tie down area was subject to strong winds in the spring, and after a glider blew over the fence, the need for a hangar became apparent. | |
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The first glider hangar was built in 1971. It quickly filled up with gliders owned by the
club members.
The club purchased a damaged Schweizer
SGU 2-22 that was repaired by Larry Stahl and
Jan. With it, the club was able to accept
student members and the club grew rapidly. |
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Soon a second hangar was needed. A structure basically identical to the first one was built in 1972. It too filled up in a short time. Nine Schweizer SGS
1-26’s found new homes at the airfield, which was listed on the Washington Sectional Charts as Scott Airpark. |
Our son Arthur was born in October 1971.
As soon as he was able to help out, he became part of the Airport staff.
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By the year 1973, two hangars and a pond had been built and the Short Hills Soaring Club was functioning well with 14 gliders on the field. Some of these were older gliders of significant historical value. |
At this time surrounding landowners had gotten together and decided that the airfield was getting in the way of their plans to turn their properties into housing developments.
While we were operating well within the restrictions set forth in the Zoning ordinance, and were licensed by both the State and the FAA, the plaintiffs managed to convince the judge that while we were in compliance with the law, we were in violation of the intent of the law. Not surprising, at the time breaking up farms and build houses was the main economic activity in the county then as it was until recently. The airfield had to be eliminated |
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After months of expensive bickering and hearings, the club was ordered to leave although they were unable to put a limit on the amount of flying that could be done.
We continued to operate the airport as before albeit with fewer gliders. With plenty of surplus hangar space, Jan started buying damaged and neglected gliders, which he restored and made airworthy. At one time he owned nine gliders. After CBS filmed a TV feature here that was broadcast nationally, airport complaints disappeared like magic. |
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People liked to watch the gliders and most favored the airstrip over hundreds of new houses.
In 1974 an organization was formed to preserve and fly the many older gliders that had fallen out of favor around the country. As several of these were kept in Lovettsville, it became natural to have the Vintage Sailplane Association’s national headquarter here. |
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The association was an idea who’s time had come, and it grew quickly with members joining from all over the world. The VSA address is still here 32 years later.
Ay the present time the facility remains closed to the public and is only enjoyed by the Scott family and their friends.
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