Go For Gliding

Who are they for?

Go for Gliding Mini Course Vouchers are ideal for anyone who wants to get a real insight into what it takes to fly a glider. You can buy one for yourself or as a gift for a friend, and they can be used at various clubs around the country. The cost of a voucher is £160, which includes a leading gliding instruction book and a BGA log book. To find out more, read on. To buy a voucher now, click here or phone the BGA office on 0116 2531051.

What you get

You can exchange the voucher for a mini course at any one of over 30 clubs around the country.

Your course will last between half a day and a full day and will typically give you 3 aerotow launched glider flights or 6 winch launched flights.  The number of launches may vary depending on the club and on the weather conditions on the day – if soaring conditions are favourable, your instructor will probably recommend taking advantage of these to maximize actual flying time, even though this may mean fewer actual launches.

All flights will be with a BGA qualified instructor in a two seat training glider.  You will be fully briefed before your first flight and, in the air, you will be familiarized with the controls and their effects.  You will have ample opportunity to fly the glider yourself. 

The mini course is designed to give you an in depth feel for what is involved in flying gliders.  Afterwards, you will be very welcome to return to your chosen club to further your flying experience.  The voucher includes 3 months temporary membership of the club, during which time you can fly as a club member at  normal club flying rates.  For details of these, see the individual club’s web site. 

If you feel that you would like to follow your mini course with further flying and perhaps aim to fly solo yourself, be sure to ask your instructor for details of what your chosen club offers. Going solo is quicker and a lot cheaper than many people imagine. You can find out more in our What is Gliding? and Learning to Glide sections.

How to use your voucher

Your voucher can be used at any of the BGA affiliated gliding clubs listed in this clickable map. Note that not all clubs operate every day of the week and that most clubs only offer winch or aerotow launching.

Select the club that appeals to you most and contact them to arrange your course. Explain that you have a BGA Go for Gliding voucher and feel free to discuss details of the course with them.

When the day comes, arrive at the airfield and follow any instructions given to you about where to report and what to do. Gliding is an adventurous flying activity. Although the risk is carefully managed at BGA clubs, flying in a glider is not as safe as flying in a commercial airliner and, as with anything involving machinery, there can be hazards even on the ground for the uninitiated. 

Wear comfortable clothing but be prepared for cold winds on exposed airfields and, equally, for the warmth from sitting in a Perspex cockpit in bright sunshine! Sunglasses and a hat are good ideas and feel free to take a camera if you want. Friends and family who want to watch will normally be made most welcome, but do check with the individual club first. Make sure to bring your voucher with you and hand this over before the flight.

Happy gliding.