Discover the exhilaration of soaring flight with these gliding experiences in Staffordshire. This small and friendly gliding club has been established since 1964 and offers excellent instruction headed up by the Chief Flying Instructor and team of instructor pilots, all passionate about non-motorised flight in gliders.
Set in the heart of the Midlands with easy access from Nottingham, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Stafford and Leicester, the club has a 70 acre site with grass runways and a fine fleet of gliders, including three dual-controlled trainer gliders used on these gliding activities, as well as the Skylaunch winch launch system.
The club is British Gliding Association (BGA) affiliated and has a good crowd of members and staff and you'll enjoy feeling like part of the team if you opt for the full day gliding experience. On this comprehensive day you'll have three separate gliding sessions with one or two winch launches and in between launches you'll be able to assist with flight and ground control duties.
If a taster gliding experience in Staffordshire is more what you're looking for, our trial glider lesson offers the ideal opportunity for you to discover the joys of powerless flight as you soar in the sky with one or two winch launches for a total of around 20 minutes of flight time - ideal for those who have never glided before or if you are looking for a best value activity gift voucher.
Flights take place in one of the clubs two seater training gliders. Experiences include a short pre-flight briefing and explanation of the controls. Your glider will be winch launched up to a height of approximately 1500ft where the tow cable is released. You will usually have the opportunity to take the controls and fly the glider as part of the lesson. Trial Lessons provide around 20 minutes of flying time split over 1 or 2 winch launches.
Day Courses provide 3 flying sessions each with a pre flight briefing and 1 or 2 flights per session (depending on weather conditions), you can expect around 60 minutes of flying time in total. In between flights day course students can join in and help with launch point activities.
Flights take place on most weekends and Bank Holidays, weather permitting from April to December.
The gliding club is located in East Staffordshire between Uttoxeter, Lichfield and Buton upon Trent. Stoke on Trent, Derby and the West Midlands are within easy reach via the A38 and A50.
Minimum age is 12 years, Maximum weight is 16 stone. Please do not consume alcohol prior to flying. No special equipment or clothing is required however bear in mind that airfields can be prone to extremes of weather. A hat, sunglasses and suncream are a great idea in summer months.
Spectators are very welcome, there are no catering facilities on site however a small selection of snacks and drinks are usually available to purchase at the launch point. Guests are welcome to bring picnic to enjoy whilst watching the gliding activities. Dogs are not permitted on the airfield and children must be kept under close supervision at all times.