What are Gliders?

Gliders are also known as sailplanes. Generally they come as two-seaters or single-seaters. While you are training, you will begin in a two-seater until you are competent enough to go on your own! Two-seat gliders have the same controls and instruments in the front and back, to allow the instructor to demonstrate, and also to take over in case you do something wrong!

Gliders are very strong and are made of a wide variety of materials, from wood and fabric, to ultra-modern carbon-fibre based materials. They last for many years - there is a big vintage glider movement, with many gliders over 50 years old. Often they are designed for a specific purpose such as training, cross-country flying or aerobatics, but most gliders can do a bit of everything.

Occasionally, gliders do have engines (although the purists may argue they are no longer gliders!). These can be two sorts - self-launching and turbo. Self-launchers (not suprisingly...) can launch themselves without any other assistance. Turbos, however, are only used to help keep you airborne (for example if you can't get home on a long cross-country!).

Coming soon - diagram of a typical glider.