Memberships and fees
We are part of the Royal Air Force Gliding and Soaring Association. The primary aim of the Association is to bring gliding and soaring to all members of the RAF. This means that, primarily, membership is open to service personnel of all ranks, civil servants, Ministry of Defence contractors, veterans, and to their dependants, the RAF volunteer reserve, university air squadrons, the Combined Cadet Force and cadets, and, secondarily, to civilian members who can offer help or expertise to the club.
Please note that due to current demand, we are operating a waiting list for new members looking to join us to learn to fly.
Yearly Membership
Our membership year runs from the 1 April each year. New members starting part way through the year will pay the full, annual rate, which will then be pro-rated when membership is renewed for the following year. These prices are accurate as of 1 January 2024. Please note that we reserve the right to amend these prices at short notice. There are three routes to membership:
Full membershiP
£175
Full membership is open to:
All serving personnel of HM Forces (including reserves)
Personnel of Commonwealth and Allied Forces during any period they are serving under UK command
entitled membership
£230
Entitled membership is open to:
HM Forces veterans
Service dependants
Ministry of Defence civil servants
Members of the RAF Volunteer Reserves, University Air Squadrons, the Air Training Corps, the Combined Cadet Force and other cadet forces
Employees of civilian contractors working permanently on the Defence Estate
associate membership
£275
Associate membership is open to:
Civilians who have skills and expertise that can help further the clubs aims such as instructors and engineers
yearly Junior Membership
We offer reduced membership rates for those under the age of 26.
full membership
Aged 17-25 £88
entitled membership
Under 17s £77
Aged 17-25 £110
associate membership
Under 17s £88
Aged 17-25 £132
yearly FAMily membership
full membership
£240
entitled membership
£300
associate membership
£350
temporary Membership
If you visit for a trial flight, you will be required to pay a one-off temporary membership fee. The fee that you pay will depend on the category you would fall into for yearly membership. The fee will be confirmed when you contact us to make a booking.
Full visitor
£22
entitled visitor
£28
associate visitor
£90
Launch fees
The fees that you pay will depend on your membership category.
Full membership
Winch £8.10
Aerotow (1,000ft) £20.00
Aerotow (2,000ft) £25.50
Aerotow (every 500ft) £7.15
SLMG (per hr) £70.00
entitled membership
Winch £9.25
Aerotow (1,000ft) £23
Aerotow (2,000ft) £26.50
Aerotow (every 500ft) £7.70
SLMG (per hr) £82.00
associate membership
Winch £10.40
Aerotow (1,000ft) £24.00
Aerotow (2,000ft) £28.60
Aerotow (every 500ft) £8.25
SLMG (per hr) £85.00
Soaring fees
You will be required to pay a hire fee, charged on a per minute basis, when flying our aircraft. The first 10 minutes of each flight are free. No soaring fees are charged where the aircraft is flown by its owner or a syndicate member.