Inside Trent Valley Gliding Club: Meet the Team, Tour the Fleet

Inside Trent Valley Gliding Club: Meet the Team, Tour the Fleet

When you’re considering taking up a new hobby — especially one as exciting as flying — it’s natural to wonder what the people and place behind it are really like.

At Trent Valley Gliding Club, we pride ourselves not just on what we do, but how we do it — with friendly faces, a supportive atmosphere, and a deep passion for sharing the skies.

This behind-the-scenes look will introduce you to the team, the gliders, and the spirit that makes our club a special place to learn, grow, and fly.

A Club Run by Pilots, For Pilots

Trent Valley Gliding Club is a non-profit, member-run organisation. That means we’re not a commercial operation — we’re a community.

Everyone here, from instructors to ground crew, is a volunteer. Many of our members started with a trial flight and never looked back. Some are weekend flyers, others train regularly, and some have been gliding for decades. All are passionate about helping others get involved.

Whether you’re a total beginner or a returning pilot, you’ll find yourself welcomed, encouraged, and supported at every step of your journey.

Meet the Team

Our club is made up of a diverse group of members of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. You’ll regularly find:

• Qualified instructors, certified by the British Gliding Association, offering expert tuition
• Tug pilots, ground crew, and winch drivers helping with launches and logistics
• Students learning to fly solo
• Long-standing members offering wisdom, stories, and tea in the clubhouse

We believe everyone has a place at the club — whether you fly every weekend or just pop by once in a while.

Our Glider Fleet

We maintain a small but versatile fleet of club gliders, carefully selected to provide safe, enjoyable flying for pilots at every level.

Our fleet includes:

• Two-seat training gliders – Ideal for beginners learning the basics with an instructor
• Single-seat gliders – Perfect for solo pilots and those building advanced skills
• Tug aircraft – Used for aerotow launches, providing a smooth and scenic way into the sky

All our aircraft are regularly maintained and checked to meet the highest safety standards.

As a member, you’ll have access to this fleet without the need to own your own glider — making it far more accessible than most people realise.

A Glimpse into Club Life

A typical day at Trent Valley Gliding Club starts with prepping the gliders, a briefing in the clubhouse, and a healthy dose of tea and toast. Flying begins mid-morning and continues throughout the day, with members rotating between flying, helping on the launch point, and catching up in the clubhouse.

There’s a real sense of teamwork — everyone pitches in, and that’s part of what makes it so rewarding.

We also run occasional social events, training evenings, and cross-country flying challenges, making it easy to get involved however suits you best.

Facilities

The club is based at a well-maintained airfield near Kirton in Lindsey, offering:

• A grass runway with excellent launch conditions
• A cosy clubhouse with kitchen, briefing room, and seating areas
• Workshop facilities for glider maintenance
• On-site parking and open viewing areas for visitors

Visitors are always welcome — whether you’re flying, spectating, or just curious.

Ready to Visit?

If you’re thinking about learning to glide, rekindling an old passion, or just want to see what the club is all about, the best way to start is by visiting us for a trial flight.

You’ll meet the team, see the fleet up close, and experience the thrill of unpowered flight with a qualified instructor.

To learn more or to book your first flight, visit:
https://www.tvgc.co.uk/trial-flights

Come for the flying. Stay for the community.
At Trent Valley Gliding Club, you’re not just learning to glide — you’re joining a club that feels like home.