by Guenther Eichhorn

Sterling, MA (3B3) is an active airport halfway between Worcester (ORH) and Fitchburg (FIT). Runway 16/34 is 3010 feet long and 40 feet wide. We have one FBO: Sterling Air (978) 422-8860), two glider clubs: Greater Boston Soaring Club  (603) 664-7657 and MIT Soaring Association (MITSA)  (508) 670-1596, one aerobatics instructor: Pitts S-2A (617) 495-7260), and one restaurant: Plane Delights,  on the field.

The FBO has one Cessna 150, one Cessna 172, and a Beech BE-76 Dutchess available for flight instruction. Currently there are two flight instructors working for Sterling Air. The Greater Boston Soaring Club (GBSC) has three two-seat ships (two Schweizer 2-33, and one Blanik L-13) and three single seat ships (one Schweizer 1-26, and two Pilatus B-4). They have two towplanes (one Cessna L-19 Bird Dog and one Piper Pawnee). The MIT Soaring Association (MITSA) has two two-seat ships (Blanik L-23) and three single seaters (one Schweizer 1-26, one Schweizer 1-34, and one Blanik L-33). they operate two towplanes (one Cessna 150. 180 hp, and one Cessna 182). In addition to the club ships there are about 20-30 private owners with a variety of gliders in the two clubs.

I myself have a Pitts Special S-2A, a two-seat aerobatic bi-plane with a 200 hp fuel injected engine based at Sterling. On weekends I am available for aerobatics instructions and spin training. Then there are about 35 privately owned aircraft based at Sterling, including a few of Ultralights and a Boeing Stearman. We have 10 T-hangars and a number of tie-down spots. This mix of gliders and powered aircraft, combined with the fact that there is a restaurant on the field that serves a dynamite Banana Split makes for a very active airport. Stop by and say hello, have a chat with the glider guiders to get a feeling what soaring is all about, maybe even have an introductory glider flight, have some ice cream, or if all else fails, your $100 burger. I am sure you will enjoy it!!