Where you based? Try anglia gliding club near stowmarket, probably one of the best fleets around, cheap and quite a mixed crowd of oldies and young
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Actually, if I were you, I would NOT visit the Cambridge club, or any other, on a fireworks/bonfire party....reason being they will all know each other but you would be just another stranger there for the party....
Best thing is to turn up EARLY MORNING - before 9 am, on a weekend when good weather is forecast, and HELP GET THE GLIDERS OUT! That way you can really find out what the locals are like. Furthermore, you will make a good impression. But if you have not handled aircraft before, ask those in charge for advice; ie, don't push on trailing edge of wings, always walk around wings, never step over them, only one person to hold the wingtip to guide the glider, etc etc. It is easy to damage an aircraft when winkling it out of a crowded hangar. Once it is in the open, you come in handy, learning to hold the wingtip, drive retrieve vehicles, and so on. Always keep your eyes open for airfield traffic, don't walk or drive across approach or takeoff paths, beware of winch cables, propellors, etc. And at the end of the day, buy your instructor a beer..... |
As said before, use the BGA website to look for clubs and think about when you can fly when deciding which one(s) to visit. Don't look at the distance, look at the travel time and if it's likely to be affected on busy holiday weekends. Some clubs have good facilities to stay overnight which can reduce the travelling if you are flying on two (or more) consecutive days.
Don't just turn up, ring, find out when a good time to turn up to have a look round is. Bicester (Windrushers) is a good club, so is Husbands Bosworth which is just south of Leicester. |
Thanks guys. Just a few more questions-
How do clubs actually work? I know you don't just turn up, fly and go home. So lets say you turned up at your club on Saturday. Do you just stick your name on a list, then sit in the bar until it's your turn to fly (and occasionally help recovering gliders)? Or is there more to it? Also, how many flights would you get a day? Are we talking one flight, 3 flights, or as many as you want? And last question, how much does it roughly cost to learn? I assume it's more than normal if you're going to have an instructor with you? Oh wait, last last question- how long do your flights last (lets say for a general winter flight). Are we talking 5 minutes, 20 minutes, an hour? Thanks! |
How do clubs actually work? I know you don't just turn up, fly and go home. So lets say you turned up at your club on Saturday. Do you just stick your name on a list, then sit in the bar until it's your turn to fly (and occasionally help recovering gliders)? Or is there more to it? I think the general consensus - at least at my club - is that you either help get the kit out in the morning and help on the airfield all day and head back a bit earlier, or arrive a bit later and help put the kit away in the evening. If you do both, more the better. In terms of how the flying works, for instruction and check flights, it will probably be best to call ahead to check availability. My club uses an online rota/timetable and an online booking system which makes life easier. Once you're solo and want to fly the club single-seaters, then usually the 'Flying List' system operates. Basically, you all put your names down on the list, and fly in that order throughout the day. Once you get to the bottom of the list, start again. Also, how many flights would you get a day? Are we talking one flight, 3 flights, or as many as you want? And last question, how much does it roughly cost to learn? I assume it's more than normal if you're going to have an instructor with you? Expenses are generally split into three categories: Membership Launches Flying Fees You'll need to look at the fees list of whatever club you're going to fly at. Most operate a 'pence per minute' system for flying fees, some offer the first 10 minutes free (for circuit practice) and a few (like mine) charge a yearly flying fee that covers all flying. A few clubs do a 'fixed price to solo' package which may or may not be useful, have a google. Oh wait, last last question- how long do your flights last (lets say for a general winter flight). Are we talking 5 minutes, 20 minutes, an hour? Hope that helps. |
one more thing....DRESS WARMLY! No place is colder than a windy airfield. lots of layers, long johns, warm jacket, scarf. You can always shed layers if you get too hot, but if you don't dress warmly you will suffer!
not in the glider, however, despite no heaters, there is shelter in the cockpit - unless its a T21.....! |
Hi Rooob
If you'd like to come and try flying at Cambridge, the good news is that we have bookable training (even for someone just coming to try it out). You can book a half day, or a whole day. As a non-member you pay a daily fee (£25) plus normal flying charges, which you can find on our website (Cambridge Gliding Centre). We have two students per glider and instructor. Be there in time to get the gliders out (9am) if flying in the morning, and to put the gliders away if flying in the afternoon. To book (members can book online), phone the office (weekdays 9.30-3) on 01767 677077. We're open at weekends, and Monday, Wednesday, Friday during the winter. Let me know if you plan to come, and I'll come out and have a chat. Paul |
Paulishome- Thanks, sounds good. What time are the gliders packed away?
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What time are the gliders packed away?
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Whilst this topic is in place, what are the rules for Civilians wanting to join the VGS?
I'm pre-silver but with saving for an upcoming wedding and buying a house I am unable to afford to fly. I'd love to instruct so this would be a great way for me to give back. Both parents have served in the Navy and I currently have a brother in the army should this help? Thanks in advance |
how much does it roughly cost to learn? I assume it's more than normal if you're going to have an instructor with you? Unlike power flying - for most gliding clubs the instructors volunteer their time to help you learn the skills of flying. (There are paid courses but even then; for most cases the money goes to the club not the instructor). Clubs are all very different - some cover your years flying by the annual club fees with you only paying for the launch. Others charge you for the launch and a per minute hire rate. Some clubs heavily subsidize youth flying which you at 20yrs would be able to take advantage of. How much does it cost? Depends where you draw your yard-stick; your age and ability with usually younger being better and at what skills level you wish to acheive. I started gliding in Sept 2011 at 33yrs and from ab-initio to solo took two weeks (8 days with ~63 flights) and a total of £1200 + food/drink & fuel. I did two 5 day courses back-to-back at a major south-west English club. Most clubs have a skills progression system that is based off BGA, FAI, and soon to be EASA rules. My club has "pre-solo white card", "post-solo white card", "red card", "yellow card", "blue card" which dictate the skills milestones. The BGA, FAI milestones are ab-initio, solo, bronze, bronze cross-country, silver etc... For me to get from solo through the various cards to bronze cross-country took me approx. 22 months and something like ~£200/month give or take (not including the expeditions to Spain and Australia). However, to chase the elusive silver duration - I've probably spent over £800 in about 5 attempts... I blame the weather - but it could just be me :-( Given that at your age your still classified as youth at most clubs - you'd probably spend about half that. how many flights would you get a day? Are we talking one flight, 3 flights, or as many as you want? if I started now, would I get much flying in over the winter, or is it more of a summer sport how long do your flights last (lets say for a general winter flight). Are we talking 5 minutes, 20 minutes, an hour two clubs near me ... (Both a fair drive away, What about Lasham ... They are the biggest in Europe, there should be someone of the right age etc there! |
What time are the gliders packed away? The rule of thumb for training aircraft at any gliding club the world over is: When the probability of flyable weather == 0. Last ray of sunlight and not a moment sooner |
Paulishome- Thanks, sounds good. What time are the gliders packed away? In the summer, quite often there's an evening session, and then the evening group pack them away. Otherwise around 6pm. Paul |
No-one along the way seems to have discussed winch launching versus aerotowing.
Some sites do only winch launching, some only do aerotows and some do both. Winch launches generally cost in the region of £7.50. Aerotows are in the range £25 - 35 (all depending on the club used). Depending on the site (length of run) and weather conditions (wind direction and strength) winch launches average 1000 - 1800 feet. Aerotows are generally to 2000' with the option of going higher for a bit more money. The OP asked the question about how long flights last. The comments about c. 8 minute flights in winter clearly refer to winch launches to 1500 - 1800 feet. 1000 feet launches = about 4 minutes! 2000 foot aerotows in still air (winter, no thermals and no ridge available) would give flights in the range 12 - 20 minutes including the tow time and depending on the exercises done in-flight. As to the best system, initially more time in the air gives better grasp of basic flying manoeuvres but the launch and landing are the trickier bits which come later and need practice. With aerotows you tend to do fewer launches and landings (cost!). So a club which has both launch systems might be the ideal. Before joining a club a few pertinent questions about launch systems and flight times would be advisable. Generally 7 day week clubs = paid staff = more expense but better availability of flying. Weekend-only clubs = unpaid personnel = lower costs but a higher frustration ratio You pays your money and takes your choice |
I suspect the original enquiry has been answered. This is a more general response to where to glide. The key factors are:
Professional staff, so you aren't driving winches or mowing the grass Large airfield, which is much safer Winch and aerotow launches Well-drained airfield, ie always open 364 days a year operation Large heavily-subsidised youth contingent Restaurant & bar Large fleet of well-equipped and maintained two-seaters and single-seaters, plus a big team of instructors so you don't hang around waiting Reliable equipment such as new winches Bookable training Judge the various gliding sites using these criteria, but include Lasham in Hampshire in your search. It has 132 members under the age of 26. |
Just a slight aside.....nobody has said a word about SLMG
(Self-Launching Motor Gliders) If i've got it right?....seems to be an ideal compromise in that you "carry your own tow" so to speak.- a "get out of jail " card, if you can't find lift or are unsure about a "forced" landing. apart from the weight-penalty, I see only advantages, Curious how the costs compare, what are the licensing requirements? are they so bound-up in red-tape that they're sidelined? |
Does anyone who is part of a gliding club (doesn't have to be the two mentioned above) know if there are any young people around my age that go? Does this answer your question? UK Junior Gliding TV - The 2013 Season Review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ1j...3037701780D32A |
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