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Thought about doing some
flying? Spring is just a few short weeks away and the
soaring season is about to start! |
What is Gliding?
Gliders, or sail-planes as they are sometimes called, are essentially, aeroplanes without engines. The significant difference between aeroplanes and gliders is the length of the wings - they’re longer on a glider. The additional length of the gliders wing makes for a much more efficient flying machine and enables gliders to fly great distances using only the natural energy of the sky. Glider pilots learn how to use that energy to gain height and stay airborne for hours.
What does gliding feel like?
It's exciting, dramatic, challenging; imagine, on a nice day, if you could fly with soaring birds and be up playing with the clouds, surveying the whole world below you, there's nothing like it. And once you've experienced that awe and tasted that freedom, you'll want more - it's just fantastic.
What experience do I need?
No experience is required. The training is given by qualified instructors who will introduce you to the aircraft and teach you how to fly them. As your gliding experience builds, you’ll find you'll be spending more and more time at the controls until you're just taking the instructor for a pleasant ride around the sky. When the instructor feels confident, you'll be offered the chance to fly your first solo flight.
Where is the club located?
The club is located at the Bicester Gliding Centre, (RAF Bicester) a few miles north-east of Oxford. Club training days are Wednesdays (pm), Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, national Holidays and specially organised training and soaring weeks throughout the year. During the summer, solo pilots can fly all week (aerotow only). See the Location page for traveling information and directions.
How much does it cost?
A lot less than a night out in Oxford! At the student rate, one hours soaring would cost £16.50. (£12ph air-time + £4.50 winch launch = £16.50). Compare that to one hour in a powered aircraft at around £130ph, and you can easily see that gliding really is the cheapest way to learn to fly - and the hours can count towards a pilot's license too. Information about costs and membership can be found on the memberships page. Also, check-out the information on bursaries and you may be eligible to get a chunk of your flying for free!
Want 'more' of a challenge?
How about some mountain flying? Expeditions to mountain or ridge sites for a bit of 'rock polishing' are really good fun. Whizzing along a mountain side or seeing the world from 20,000 feet is all part of the adventure. The mountains of Shropshire, Wales, Scotland and the French Alps all include some of our favourite mountain soaring destinations.
What about aerobatics?
As part of advanced training you could learn aerobatics. Bicester airfield has a keen aerobatics team called the 'BATS' - Bicester Aerobatic Team, unsurprisingly; but of course, you'll need to learn to fly first!
Is there such a thing as glider racing?
Absolutely. If you're the competitive type and you like a bit of fast action flying then this is for you. Competitions or glider races are organised during the soaring season. The 'Comps' as they're known, usually last for a week or so and involve flying a task, often hundreds of kilometres in length, at very high speeds. Bicester airfield can host as many as 70 or 80 gliders in a race and it's very exciting. The Comps' are usually great fun and even pre-solo pilots get the chance to experience flying a task with an instructor. And when you're solo, you could fly in the inter-uni or junior national competitions too.
How safe is it?
Flying safely requires a piece of the most sophisticated equipment...
the Mk 1 Eye-ball. It's is all about keeping a good lookout for other
aircraft, otherwise known as the 'see and avoid' principle; being
mindful of the weather conditions, generally employing good airmanship
and maintaining good spatial awareness. Gliding is an adventure sport
and does have risks attached, but with proper training and sensible
airmanship it's generally regarded to be reasonably safe. For information
on safety issues, see the Safety
Information page.
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Why sponsor Oxford University Gliding Club? |