Interested in Learning to Glide?

Trent Valley Gliding Club has some 70 members from a wide variety of backgrounds.
The common link is that they all enjoy gliding and soaring.
If you would like to talk to us about membership, simply drop us a line, or come and see us on a flying day!
If you are interested in learning to glide on a budget – then look at our Fixed Price to Solo Scheme

You have paid your annual membership so welcome to the club.

First thing to remember is that no one is paid and everyone is an equal volunteer member.  We all pull together to enable gliding to happen at Kirton in Lindsey (or Kirton as everyone calls it.)   That is actually what makes it such a great club with a friendly attitude and you are now part of it.

When you arrive in a morning (most arrive between 8.30am and 9.30am)  – put your name on the flying list as that will determine the order you fly in.  The duty pilot / instructor will start getting people together and the gliders are taken out of the hangers.  Remember when everyone pushes and pulls it makes light work.

Usually by 10am we have all the equipment at the launch point and we will start to fly.  Those at the top of the list (ie arrived first) fly first – the duty instructors giving each pupils 3 launches / lessons.  When it is your turn you will show them your log book and progress card so they can see what standard you are at and then will talk through the exercises to be completed.  After your flights add your name to the list again and you will, subject to time, get another 3 flights.  At the end of the day all the equipment needs putting away – and then a well earned drink in the bar.  If you are making a weekend of it you are welcome to bring you caravan and stay on site.

After between 70 and 120 launches most people have reached the required standard and will be sent solo.  It is a big day and you will be completely ready and confident – and remember your wallet as that evening when we retire to the bar its your round!

That is only the beginning – for once you are solo then the fun really begins.  You will soon move on to our single seater gliders and learn new skills, such as cross country flying, competitions, flying in wave or aerobatics.  Eventually you may even become an instructor and start to teach the next new member how to fly a glider!

GIVE THE GIFT OF FLIGHT – WITH A GLIDING EXPERIENCE GIFT VOUCHER

Fixed Price to Solo – just do it!

Club member and recent fixed price to solo student Andy Johnson answers some frequently asked questions regarding the scheme.

So my £1,098 – (£645 for Juniors) what does it include?

£1,098 includes your first years membership and one years free winch launches and flying fees – up to the point you go solo.   Nearly all your instruction prior to going solo is done on the winch – so except from the odd aerotow flight that maybe required, £1,098 is all you pay for the year. Great value really – it works out at around £20 per week and remember we have 3 flying days every week.

Is the scheme appropriate for me – or should I pay as I go?

It is designed for students with no experience of gliding who are likely to take more than 80 launches to go solo.  If you are a 20 year old wizz kid – chances are you will be solo in 60 or 70 launches so i wouldn’t recommend it.  However it took me 120 launches before I soloed – and as a result I saved a lot of money.

How often do I need to come gliding to learn how to fly?

You will need to come regularly to the club to make the most of the offer.  While learning I was at the club at least once a week and that way I was able to make steady progress until I was ready for solo.  Remember the offer is only valid for a year – so if you are unsure how often you will attend then I would pay as you go.

Can I book lessons?

In a word – No.  The club is entirely run by volunteers, from the CFI and his instructors to the winch driver and all the ground crew.  In a morning we work together to get all the equipment out and lessons are on a first come first serve basis.  Having said that you are often not waiting long until it is your turn.  The rest of the time it is important that you help  muck in and launch gliders, retrieve cables, push gliders onto the launch line and also have the occasional cup of tea.

How many flights can I have in a day?

Generally your instruction flights are in batches of 3 – which allows you to be shown something and then practice it on subsequent launches.  Once you have had your flights you can put your name back on the flying list and, should time allow, you can have a further 3 flights.  As all your flying has been paid for through the scheme you might as well get as much done as possible!

After a year I have still not gone solo – what now?

Occasionally some students take a long time to learn how to glide.  They have bad luck with the weather and generally take longer to pick things up.  Even so – after a year they should be close to going solo so I would suggest reverting to pay as you go for your final few flights.  You will also need to renew your membership every year to be able to fly as a member.

Any last words Andy?

I would say if you have read this far then just seize the moment and do it.  For me it was a new challenge when I retired from work and I would say it is a cheap and fun way to learn to fly.  Now I own my own glider and am really starting to challenge myself with soaring and cross country flying.  It is also a fun and friendly club with regular club expeditions to Scotland and social events throughout the year – infact why don’t you come down to the club and see for yourself.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? EMAIL INFO@TVGC.ORG.UK