Learn to fly
Our training programme
Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey? Learning to glide is challenging but a great deal of fun. The initial training programme culminates in your first solo, which is an achievement you will never forget. However, there is much more to gliding than being able to accurately control the glider, and your first solo is an important milestone on your journey to become a soaring pilot, able to fly longer, further, higher and faster. It is the challenge of soaring, learning to use the energy of the atmosphere, that makes every flight interesting and different, and the art of soaring, while easy to learn, takes a lifetime to master.
Introduction to Gliding
Your gliding adventure starts here! We offer an Introduction to Gliding experience as the perfect introduction to the club and learning to fly a glider, see Introduction to Gliding for more details.
Initial Training
When you join the club the fun really begins! You will fly in a two-seat glider with a qualified instructor who will teach you how to handle the glider competently in the air. You will then move on to launching and landing followed by the more advanced exercises in the standard BGA training syllabus. This stage culminates in the unforgettable thrill of your first solo flight.
Solo to Sailplane Pilot License
The challenges don’t stop now you are solo. During this phase of your training you will hone your skills, learning to fly different aircraft and in different conditions, you will also start to understand and use the rising currents of air that will allow you to stay airborne for longer. You will be taught navigation, theory, and field landings, and this stage culminates in the achievement of your Sailplane Pilots License (SPL), an internationally recognised qualification.
Beyond SPL
Now you are a qualified pilot, the sky really is the limit! You are ready to stretch your wings and to undertake your first cross-country flights. After this, you might want to challenge yourself to gain your Silver, Gold and Diamond achievement badges, or learn to fly aerobatics, or dip your toes into powered flying with a motor-glider endorsement to your SPL. You could even become an instructor who will train the next generation of pilots. Whatever path you take, gliding is a journey of achievement, adventure, continuous learning, and community.
Who can learn to glide?
Almost anyone can learn to fly a glider. To fly a glider solo requires fitness similar to that required to hold a drivers licence.
The minimum age to fly a glider solo is 14, and we recommend that the minimum age for a first experience is 12. There is no maximum age and we have active pilots in their 80’s.
We are limited by the size and weight limitations of our aircraft. Please discuss with us if you are over 6’2” tall, or under 50kg / 8 stone . Our gliders have a maximum weight limit of 102kg / 16 stone, and unfortunately you will not be able to fly if you exceed that.
You must inform us of any severe medical condition or disability that may affect your safety or ours, and it may be necessary to seek medical advice regarding this prior to flying.
What does it cost?
Gliding is a relatively affordable way of learning to fly. Our adult members, on average, spend around £1,200 a year on their hobby, which includes the annual membership fee and flying fees, and because our instructors are all volunteers, instruction is provided free of charge. There is a 50% discount for under 21s on all fees except for aerotow launch fees. See our price list for a full breakdown of our charges.
We want to make gliding available to everyone, and so we also offer an affordable gliding scheme for those on low incomes; please get in touch for more details.
Like most gliding clubs, our club is run almost entirely by volunteers, which helps make gliding affordable but as a result we rely on our members to get involved with the activities required to run the flying operations and the club. Most members spend the day at the airfield, and enjoy the social and community aspects of the sport, but we recognise that such a time commitment isn’t possible for everyone. If that’s the case for you, then please get in touch and we will be happy to discuss the options.
How long does it take to go solo?
Most people should expect to progress to solo within their first year, but this depends on a number of factors, the most important being how often you fly. Enrolling on one of our week-long courses will accelerate your progress, as will a session or two in our motor glider early in your training. To make good progress you would need to aim to fly on average around two days a month, and weekly is preferable.
How do I get started?
We will be delighted to tell you more about our sport and to answer any questions you have, as well as advising you on the best route to get you started, please get in touch!
Learn to fly with us
Get in touch to start your journey