Trial Flights
A trial flight is ideal for anyone wanting to experience, or wishing to gift to someone, the thrill of a glider flight and to see the idyllic Chilterns Area of Outstanding National Beauty from a new perspective. It is also a great introduction to gliding, our Club, how we operate and to confirm whether you want to join as a member to learn to glide.
Please contact us to arrange a trial flight.
During your trial flight, you will fly in a two-seater, dual control glider with a qualified instructor and have the opportunity to take the controls and fly the glider yourself – although, if you prefer, you can sit back, relax and simply enjoy the amazing view.
LISTEN TO OUR CHIEF FLYING INSTRUCTOR ON WHAT TO EXPECT!
Price list
We are part of the RAF Gliding and Soaring Association, which offers heavily subsidised prices for service personnel, veterans and those connected with the Armed Forces. Your trial flight price will depend on the category you would fall into for our yearly membership.
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(1) Service Personnel - £22.00
(2) Veterans, service dependants, MoD civil servants, cadets (and similar), MoD contractors - £28.00
(3) Civilians - £90.00
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If you fall under limbs (1) or (2), your trial flight also gives you 28 days of membership with the Club!
YOUR TRIAL FLIGHT ALLOWS YOU TO EXPERIENCE:
1 aerotow (gentle tow behind a powered aircraft) launch to 2,000 ft, followed by a flight of approximately 10-20 minutes, depending on the weather conditions; or
2 winch launches to around 1,000 ft, of approximately 5-10 minutes each, depending on the weather conditions. You will experience the exhilaration of being launched skywards by a cable attached to a powerful winch engine. The angle of ascent and acceleration may catch you unawares; or
20 minutes in a touring motor glider (subject to availability on the day).
TRIAL FLIGHT INTRODUCTION
Our trial flights co-ordinator will liaise with you in advance to ensure as much of the administration and paperwork is completed in advance. On arrival at the airfield (see the ‘Our Location’ page on how to get to the Club), you will be met by a club member, who will introduce you to your British Gliding Association qualified flight instructor. They will give you a brief on what to expect, including a few simple safety procedures at the launch point.
You will be shown your glider and your instructor will point out the various controls and instruments that will be used or referred to during your flight.
You will then experience the thrill of gliding - with your instructor at the helm, you can enjoy the amazing views of the Chilterns AONB. You may be invited to take the controls under the guidance of your instructor. If the weather is suitable, you may get an opportunity to ‘soar’ and gain height without an engine (see the ‘About Gliding’ page on how we stay airborne without an engine).
on arrival at the airfield
items to bring
PHOTO ID
Bring your military pass if you have one, otherwise a driving licence or passport as civilians must register for a visitors pass.
FOOD AND DRINK
We only have very light snacks and refreshments on the airfield so bring enough food and drink to last you for the day.
CAMERA
Feel free to take a camera, but please listen carefully to the guidance on using it from your instructor.
VOUCHER
If you have purchased a BGA Trial Lesson voucher, you must bring this with you and hand it over before your flight.
dress appropriately
Please wear clothes appropriate for the weather - the different seasons result in quite different conditions on the large, open airfield and in the glider cockpit.
Trousers or shorts should be worn rather than skirts or dresses, which are unsuitable for wearing in a cockpit.
Sun protection such as bucket hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are highly recommended on clear and hot summer days.
Lightweight footwear such as sneakers can be worn during the summer months when the airfield ground is drier.
Extra clothing layers can come in handy in the winter, as the open area on the airfield can be very cold and windy.
When in doubt, please ask an experienced club member and/or consult the weather forecast.
Sturdy, waterproof footwear such as walking boots are recommended during the winter months when the ground can be soft and muddy.
Important Booking Restrictions
AGE
There is no minimum age, but note that size and weight may affect younger ages.
There is no upper age limit but please be aware that you will need sufficient mobility to climb into and out of the glider.
SIZE
Due to the size of our gliders, the minimum height is 5’ and the maximum is 6’3”. You should weigh between 44kg and 102kg.
You may be unable to fly if your height exceeds 6′ 2” or if you weigh more than 95 kg.
HEALTH
You must declare any medical or other conditions which you believe might affect your fitness to fly.
If you are in any doubt whatsoever, please consult your doctor.
ALCOHOL
The allowable limits for flying are much more stringent than for driving a car. You must not have not drunk alcohol within 8 hours of your flight and have not ‘binged’ in the previous 24 hours.
After your flight
If you are connected to the Armed Forces, your trial flight automatically provides you with temporary membership of the Club for 28 days. You are welcome to use our facilities during this period. You can return to fly at Club rates (see our ‘Membership and Fees’ page for details) during your temporary membership period. You can also join us as a fully flying member if you wish to learn how to glide.