Meet our Staff
Noelle Mayes - Office Manager/Tow Pilot - Private Pilot SEL & Glider
Noelle Mayes 1991-Present
Noelle started flying while still in high school where she worked at a local FBO in return for flight time. She earned her private SEL rating in 1990. Noelle starting working for the Mayes family at Lagoon Valley in 1991 where she met the love of her life and owner of Lagoon Valley Soaring, Rex Mayes. She and Rex were married a few years later and have 2 sons, Ben and Nick.
Noelle enjoys running the office, towing and the social atmosphere of the gliderport.
Email Noelle
Rex Mayes- CFIG, DPE, Commercial SEL, Glider, Pvt MEL, A&P, IA, Repair Station Chief Inspector
Rex Mayes 1984-Present
Rex took over managing Lagoon Valley Soaring in Vacaville, CA the summer of 1984 in a temporary capacity while on break from Sacramento State University. He and his twin brother ran the family business until 1993 when the business moved to Williams, CA. Rex and his wife Noelle along with their two sons own and run the full service gliderport.
Rex is a DPE for Gliders, Chief Inspector for the FAA Repair Station, A&P and IA, tow pilot, and co-owner of Sage Variometers that is located on the airport. Rex strives to create an environment for pilots to enjoy all aspects of soaring. Email Rex
Ben Mayes - CFIG - Tow Pilot
Ben took his first glider flight in a Grob 109B when he was just two weeks old. He soloed a glider years later on his 14th Birthday and over the course of a few years earned his Private, Commercial, and CFI ratings in Gliders and his Private SMEL. He has been the official scorer at three National Contests and crewed at many US Regional and National competitions. In 2014 Ben crewed for Team USA at the World Gliding Championships in Poland. Ben continues to fine tune his soaring skills flying the ASW-24, ASG-32Mi, SGS-232 and FOX. He enjoys instructing in gliders and is working towards his next goal of earning his commercial SEL rating. Ben is currently working full time at the gliderport. Ben's spare time is spent as a Lieutenant with the Williams Volunteer Fire Department. Email Ben
Nick Mayes - Tow Pilot, Shop Tech, Private Pilot Glider and MSEL
Nick soloed an ASK-23 on his 14th Birthday and has worked his way up to Private pilot glider and MSEL. He is involved with all aspects of running the gliderport. Nick can be found in the shop where he is apprenticing to become an A&P or in the Pawnee towing gliders. In his spare time, Nick loves to fly his Super Cub and Cessna 180 along with the the family Staggerwing and Cessna 310. He keeps current in gliders flying the WSC sailplane fleet including the ASK21, ASK23, ASW24, ASG32Mi, and SGS 2-32. Nick is a devoted husband and father and still finds time to volunteer with the Williams Fire Department. Email Nick
Pablo Saso-Perkins - CFIG, Drone Opperator
Pablo started flying gliders at Soar Truckee in the Sierras in 2015, a short 3 seasons later he obtained his commercial glider rating. The following year Pablo earned his CFIG. Currently in his spare time, he is working on his power ticket and looks forward to becoming a tow pilot. Pablo's future goals include becoming a corporate pilot, and flying out of cool smaller airports with less passengers than you might find in the airlines. Pablo rarely flies by himself, as he loves sharing the sport with others. Constantly wanting to expand his horizons, he now joins us at Williams Soaring Center in an instructor position. Email Pablo
We are located at: (for map see location page)
2668 Husted Road Williams, CA 95987
Phone: 530-473-5600 Email: info@williamssoaring.com