View Full Version : 'Commercial' Gliding 'schools' in Europe
Hi all,
I'm a member of a local gliding club and love it so far! During my holidays I want to go flying too, but maybe in a different environment. I don't have my GPL licence (or LAPL or whatever) yet, but have quite some expierence flying solo (and will build much more this summer. Also already taking all the theory exams for the licence). Now as I'd go somewhere for a week, i was wondering where in Europe I can find any commercial schools paying 'as you go'. I know gliding in a club is way different and procedures might be different then in my local gliding club (so I don't know if it's THAT a good idea to go fly somewhere else). I could always use some excercises to get my licence or some first cross country expierence with an instructor (would learn alot).
Has anyone expierence in 'schools' like these?
Thanks and fly safe!
mary meagher
2nd Apr 2016, 18:48
Gliding schools? how about the two well known places in the UK. Deeside Gliding Club in Scotland, where you learn to fly in wave.
And the biggest gliding club in England, Lasham. Either place will broaden your experience.
Look up their websites to see whats on offer, courses should be available, and Scotland can be amazing!
3wheels
2nd Apr 2016, 21:50
You may well find that after flying at a professional gliding site you may find it impossible to return to the problems encountered at clubs!
Thanks, as I'm from Belgium I have only heard of Lasham. Will contact them.
And i'm not afraid of the club part of the flying: we have a very good atmosphere in our club and everyone knows his or her responsabilities.
cats_five
3rd Apr 2016, 10:37
There is also the Scottish Gliding Centre at Portmoak. Not as big as Lasham but they run courses and have had quite a few overseas people come on them. Both that club and Lasham have accommodation on site:
Beginning Gliding (http://scottishglidingcentre.com/gliding_course.htm)
Jetblu
3rd Apr 2016, 10:49
3wheels
Would this be your experience at radio controlled model glider sites or full size?
Thanks! nice to see some glider people on this website too:D
astir 8
3rd Apr 2016, 17:42
Given that Belgium is flat, going to a ridge site might be a good experience and might also improve your chances of longer flights and maybe wave soaring than if you are only relying on thermals. You could therefore also consider the Midland Gliding Club (the Long Mynd) and Yorkshire Gliding club (Sutton Bank), both of which have good ridges and are not too far to travel from Belgium.
Kent Gliding Club (Challock, near Ashford) would be the nearest ridge to you although its not a very big ridge. Also Derby & Lancs GC (Camphill) has a medium sized ridge.
The Scottish Gliding Centre (Portmoak) also would be OK but it's much further from Belgium!
Lasham is a flat site.
All of these clubs have full time professional operations and offer one week (or more) courses and temporary memberships. I don't think that Kent can offer sleeping accommodation but the others can.
Enjoy!:ok:
Cool thanks for the explenation and tips for smaller clubs/airfields! will check them this week!
astir 8
3rd Apr 2016, 19:15
I forgot, there is the London GC at Dunstable, which I understand also has a ridge, but I've never flown there, while I have flown from all the others I mentioned. Dunstable has an airspace problem called Luton Airport which complicates cross country flying.:ugh:
In terms of cost, check for yourself but I suspect you will find that prices become less as you increase the distance from London.
Personally I would try the Long Mynd or Sutton Bank, both very nice sites.
And, for another year or two, none of the nonsense of gliding licences in the UK.
(interaction between Belgian requirements and UK ones (or lack of) might be an issue. Let me know if you need any details.)
You will have a great time wherever you go.
Enjoy!
Does your home club run any expedition visits to other clubs?
LTCTerry
4th Apr 2016, 06:44
I don't think I've seen Booker mentioned yet. I've flown at Booker, Lasham, and Dunstable. Enjoyed them all.
On the continent there's Wasserkuppe and DASSU (Deutsche Alpen Segelflug Schule Unterwössen) to consider. I've been to Wasserkuppe a couple times; want to do some Alpine training at DASSU.
Wasserkuppe is easily drivable from Belgium. They have no issues doing training there in English.
PS If you are ever near the Wasserkuppe, visit the museum at the home of soaring. Wasserkuppe celebrated 100 years of soaring in 2012.
OpenCirrus619
4th Apr 2016, 07:57
I don't think that Kent can offer sleeping accommodation but the others can.
In fact KGC do have a number of bedrooms in the clubhouse - so accommodation would not be a problem there.
OC619
I'm not too worries about sleeping :-) a sleeping pad in my tent is more then fine. My club indeed goes to other places in summer, but due to work i can go only one of the two weeks they go.
Will make a short list and mail them. About the licence problems: i know what you mean, here it's just the same :-)
Wageslave
4th Apr 2016, 10:18
The Cambridge gliding club is run on a commercial basis, book your slot on t'internet, turn up, fly and go home. Very well run from what I saw.
Heady1977
4th Apr 2016, 21:33
In the South of Europe there is Xair-in Aerodromo de Sotos (LESS) in Spain.
The CFI there has presented a talk at Lasham recently. If I understand correctly its a continental convection site with possibilities for wave.