Holiday Courses

We run regular weekday holiday courses througout the summer months; whether you are completely new to gliding or have some experience we can offer a course tailored to your needs.

Comfortable bed and breakfast accomodation is available in the area, or you may bring your own caravan or tent.

A typical beginner's five day course will comprise the following:

• Up to one hour motorgliding: learning the effects of controls and airfield orientation.
• Eight aerotows, where a tug aircraft tows the glider to a height of 2000 or 3000 feet.
• Soaring time in the air.

As the course progresses you can expect to be carrying out a large proportion of the flying yourself. You will have learned to take off, climb, turn, descend and land the glider. You will begin to understand the principles of soaring the rising currents of air which enable glider pilots to stay aloft for long periods and soar for long distances cross-country without and engine or outside assistance. Every effort will be made to soar from the launches, so that we give you the best time in the air that we can.

Unlike many other clubs running courses for visitors, we do not charge a fixed fee for the week but simply make an initial introductory membership charge (£50 as at November 2005), then charge any actual flying you do at club rates. This means if flying is curtailed by bad weather, you don't pay for flying you don't do; also your membership remains valid for a total of three months during which you may continue to fly at club rates.

If you already have some experience changes can be made: for instance the initial motorglider flight may not be needed, and an equivalent number of aerotows may be substituted.

All courses may be extended by further flying at club rates.

On a cautionary note, because of the cockpit limitations of most gliders, if you are over 6ft 2in tall, or over 235lb in weight, please telephone for further advice.

If you are interested please contact us.