The Experience
Often described as the purest way to fly, your glider flight will set your senses on fire as you take in the beautiful scenery, marvel at the graceful aircraft and simply enjoy the freedom of the skies. Your instructor will give you a safety briefing before you take your flight, you will even have a chance to take the controls! Depending on your chosen location you will either receive an aerotow flight, two winch launch flights or 20 minutes in a motor glider.
Vital information
Minimum age is 12-14 depending on location. Maximum height varies from 6'1'' to 6'4''. Maximum weight is generally 16 stone. It will not be possible for you to fly if you suffer from epilepsy, fainting or certain physical or mental disabilities.
The weather
Gliding is weather dependent. As with all flying experiences you will need to call a weather-check line on the day before, or on the morning of your flight. If the weather is unsuitable then you can reschedule your flight for another time.
Session Length
The length of glider flights depends entirely on the prevailing thermal currents (warmer air that provides the lift). As a guide your aerotow flight should last for between 12 and 30 minutes.
Numbers
Your briefing may be shared; your flight will be held on a one-to-one basis with the instructor.
Spectators
Spectators are welcome. Please check with us at point of booking as some centres operate a minimum age policy. A camera or a pair of binoculars will come in handy.
Dress code
Wear flat-soled shoes and bring a jumper with you in case it gets cold at higher altitudes. Bring gloves in winter and sunblock and a hat in summer. Sunglasses are recommended all year round.
Availability
Most centres operate all year round. Please note that weekends are particularly busy and should be booked at least six weeks in advance. Flights are generally less frequent during winter.
Location
ENGLAND Travistock, Devon
Brackley, Northampshire Honiton, Devon
Brigstock, Northampshire Umberleigh, North Devon
Warminister, Wiltshire Wareham, Dorset
Marlborough, Wiltshire East Retford, Nottinghamshire
Swindon, Wiltshire Newark, Nottinghemshire
Upavon, Wiltshire Ringmer, East Sussex
Bidford on Avon, Warwickshire Pulborough, West Sussex
stratford on Avon, Warwickshire North Weald, Essex
Marlow, Buckinghamshire Sudbury, Essex
Haddenham, Buckinghamshire Colchester, Essex
Milfield Wooler, Northumberland Fincham, Norfolk
Chipping, Lancashire Long Stratton, Norfolk
Grantham, Lincolnshire Shobdon, Herefordshire
Alford, Lincolnshire Yeovilton, Somerset
Crowland, Lincolnshire Draycott, Somerset
Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Selby, North Yorkshire Alton, Hampshire
York, North Yorkshire Lee on Solent, Hampshire
Rufforth, North Yorkshire Church Stretton, Shropshire
Thirsk, North Yorkshire Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
Sandy, Bedfordshire
Dunstable, Bedfordshire SCOTLAND
Risely, Bedfordshire Elgin, Moray
Dover, Kent Scotlandwell, Fife
Challock, Kent
Trevellas, Cornwall WALES
Stroud, Gloucestershire Talgarth, Powys
Lutterworth, Leicestershire Clwyd, Denbighshire
Bembridge, Isle of Wight Llandegla, Denbighshire
Kenley, Surrey Gwent, Torfaen
Bury, Suffolk
Shenington, Oxfordshire IRELAND AND ISLE OF MAN
Norton, Oxfordshire Limavady, Londonderry
Bicester, Oxfordshire Lezayre, Isle of Man
Nr. Bicester, Oxfordshire
Upwood, Cambridgeshire CYPRUS
Seighford, Staffordshire Kingsfield, Dhekelia Garrison
