Anbody take part in gliding ??
Discussion
Whilst out for a sunday drive yesterday I drove past a place that was advertising gliding lessons/trials. Thought I might like to have a go to experience it.
Anybody on here do it/done it ?
Just wondering if anybody has taken a trialflight lessons, how easy it was ,etc,etc. Where did you do it ? I'm on the south coast.
Anybody on here do it/done it ?
Just wondering if anybody has taken a trialflight lessons, how easy it was ,etc,etc. Where did you do it ? I'm on the south coast.
I've been gliding a few times, though only for fun, never seriously enough to consider flying solo.
The last time was a few years ago in Omerama, NZ, on impulse as we went past a signboard advertising flights. You pays your money and they take you up with an instructor for, well, I was going to say a spin but that's a bad analogy!
Have a go, it's a good experience.
The last time was a few years ago in Omerama, NZ, on impulse as we went past a signboard advertising flights. You pays your money and they take you up with an instructor for, well, I was going to say a spin but that's a bad analogy!
Have a go, it's a good experience.
Try it, you'll soon see if you like it.
I went for some years when I was young, my Dad paid, and ended up instructing, had to give up a couple of years back due to his age.
It is very much a "whole day" pass-time, if you expect to turn up and fly without doing anything else, unless the club is organised along those lines (very few are), don't expect to make many friends. Part of the fun is the camaraderie, I've been a few times and not flown at all, and some times when we were all "flown out"!
I went for some years when I was young, my Dad paid, and ended up instructing, had to give up a couple of years back due to his age.
It is very much a "whole day" pass-time, if you expect to turn up and fly without doing anything else, unless the club is organised along those lines (very few are), don't expect to make many friends. Part of the fun is the camaraderie, I've been a few times and not flown at all, and some times when we were all "flown out"!
That's true - takes me back to Saltby, Leics...
British gliding - sit in a Portakabin on a muddy airfield for four hours, get one winch launch and stay up for 11 mins because it's too cold.
NZ gliding - sunny day, turn up and wave a credit card, they fetch a nice shiny glider + pilot, aerotow and get half an hour
Mind you I did do a loop from Tibbenham - 4g according to the dial - is that still allowed?
British gliding - sit in a Portakabin on a muddy airfield for four hours, get one winch launch and stay up for 11 mins because it's too cold.
NZ gliding - sunny day, turn up and wave a credit card, they fetch a nice shiny glider + pilot, aerotow and get half an hour
Mind you I did do a loop from Tibbenham - 4g according to the dial - is that still allowed?
I sold you a tyre didn't I ??!!
It was at Southdown Gliding Club, Parham Airfiled, Pulbourough, RH20 4HP.
Only came across it by chance as I was out for a sunday afternoon drive. Looked like they have 2 fairly new gliders there for use.
www.sgc1.org
It was at Southdown Gliding Club, Parham Airfiled, Pulbourough, RH20 4HP.
Only came across it by chance as I was out for a sunday afternoon drive. Looked like they have 2 fairly new gliders there for use.
www.sgc1.org
Chris71 said:
SimonV8ster said:
Parham Airfiled
Completely random question, but is that named after Jack Parham by any chance or is it just a place name?I went gliding at a place near stratford and it was brilliant.
I went up twice, the first time was with the instructor doing all the flying, the second flight I was given full control expect for landing.
http://www.gbutler.demon.co.uk/soagc/
I would definitely recommend going to your local club open day, it wasnt even expensive
I went up twice, the first time was with the instructor doing all the flying, the second flight I was given full control expect for landing.
http://www.gbutler.demon.co.uk/soagc/
I would definitely recommend going to your local club open day, it wasnt even expensive
I started in Aug 07 and went solo a year later.
I have about 50 hrs P1 (solo). Last September I finished my Silver badge (a 50km flight, a 5hr flight and a specific gain in height)
This year I will be concentrating on doing my first 100km and 300km flights plus starting instructor qualifications.
Pop along to your nearest club and book a trial lesson! Clubs are very welcoming to people who turn up and take a real interest - and it is a really rewarding sport, thermalling 5ft away from a soaring pair of kites with gliders above and below you, looking for that ideal route to your next turning point 30km away ..
As others have said it is very much a "club" sport, so if you stay and start learning to fly then you will be expected to help out as much as possible.
Start with the trial and see if it's for you. Parham has a good ridge so some very long flights are available in northerly winds - but ring ahead as certainyl my club gets booked up fast, I assume Parham is the same, you might be disappointed if you turn up on the day.
I have about 50 hrs P1 (solo). Last September I finished my Silver badge (a 50km flight, a 5hr flight and a specific gain in height)
This year I will be concentrating on doing my first 100km and 300km flights plus starting instructor qualifications.
Pop along to your nearest club and book a trial lesson! Clubs are very welcoming to people who turn up and take a real interest - and it is a really rewarding sport, thermalling 5ft away from a soaring pair of kites with gliders above and below you, looking for that ideal route to your next turning point 30km away ..
As others have said it is very much a "club" sport, so if you stay and start learning to fly then you will be expected to help out as much as possible.
Start with the trial and see if it's for you. Parham has a good ridge so some very long flights are available in northerly winds - but ring ahead as certainyl my club gets booked up fast, I assume Parham is the same, you might be disappointed if you turn up on the day.
Edited by john_p on Monday 22 March 16:59
SimonV8ster said:
I sold you a tyre didn't I ??!!
It was at Southdown Gliding Club, Parham Airfiled, Pulbourough, RH20 4HP.
Only came across it by chance as I was out for a sunday afternoon drive. Looked like they have 2 fairly new gliders there for use.
www.sgc1.org
It was at Southdown Gliding Club, Parham Airfiled, Pulbourough, RH20 4HP.
Only came across it by chance as I was out for a sunday afternoon drive. Looked like they have 2 fairly new gliders there for use.
www.sgc1.org
Brilliant, thanks.
Gliding is...
sheer magic
I used to glide (Air experience only 'cos it just wasnt happening for me financially, had to go to work and see to girls) as an Air Cadet, and I loved it, then as an ATC Civilian Instructor I got a few more flights and it was marvellous.
Then dropped it for many hundreds of years (it feels like) and on a track day at Marham a few years ago I took up an offer of two launches for X quid during the lunch break
I was hooked again and will take it up again when I can afford it.
Point is during the time between my flights I was asked to log the next few flights, just as if I was a normal member, sitting in the mobile club house (an elderly coach conversion) made me feel totally at home
Socially it is a great experience too
If you can
GO!
Can you spot my Midget?
Green it is!
sheer magic
I used to glide (Air experience only 'cos it just wasnt happening for me financially, had to go to work and see to girls) as an Air Cadet, and I loved it, then as an ATC Civilian Instructor I got a few more flights and it was marvellous.
Then dropped it for many hundreds of years (it feels like) and on a track day at Marham a few years ago I took up an offer of two launches for X quid during the lunch break
I was hooked again and will take it up again when I can afford it.
Point is during the time between my flights I was asked to log the next few flights, just as if I was a normal member, sitting in the mobile club house (an elderly coach conversion) made me feel totally at home
Socially it is a great experience too
If you can
GO!
Can you spot my Midget?
Green it is!
I have no regrets getting my licence for it. I started gliding and moved on to power gliding and then on to single engined aircraft but gliding has something the others don't.
It's quieter, the ride up is amazing fun (Almost vertical take-off) and you have to catch the thermals so it really tests your reaction times.
Definitely go and do it!
It's quieter, the ride up is amazing fun (Almost vertical take-off) and you have to catch the thermals so it really tests your reaction times.
Definitely go and do it!
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