How do I learn to glide?

Most people these days learn to glide in two-seat gliders at a gliding club like ours.

Instruction is free of charge as the club is a not for profit, voluntary organisation. Gliding lessons typically are between 20 and 40 minutes .and maybe longer if soaring conditions prevail. It may be possible to have more than one lesson in a day which will help with progress.

Instructors will teach you how to check the glider before flying, take off and fly accurately behind the tow plane. You will learn how to control the glider and make use of rising air currents. Lessons will also cover how you approach the landing and the actual landing itself. Progress is monitored by your instructors by means of a Progress Card and comments in your logbook. This means that you will be prepared for all eventualities and can deal with them using well proven techniques.

After you have successfully flown solo, the next step is to become a fully qualified glider pilot. You’ll go on to complete a training syllabus with ground school  briefings to achieve the Bronze and Cross-Country endorsements, which is the gliding equivalent of the Private Pilot’s Licence.