What's Included
• All experiences begin with a pre-flight briefing session
• A tow plane will take the glider to your chosen height
• Under expert tuition you can take control of the glider
• Weather permitting your instructor will show you how to find thermals
• Two months membership of the club
Gliding Experience
• 20-30 minutes flying time launching from between 2000ft-3000ft
Mile High Flight
• Fly from 5280ft giving approximately 40 minutes flying time
Introduction to Gliding
• Introduction to Gliding course - 3 aerotows from at least 2000ft
• Learn about the sport of gliding including rigging and launching
• Flights do not have to be taken on the same day
What Can I Expect
Our Peterborough gliding experiences offer you the superb sensation of speed and silence! Powerless flight is definitely a feeling to be tasted and savoured as you glide gracefully above the skies of Peterborough and the surrounding Cambridgeshire countryside. This club near Crowland is owned and run by a very enthusiastic team of members who will be sure to welcome you to the gliding club fold.
Based at St Guthlac's Lodge since the early 1980s, this Peterborough centre prides itself on being 'a pleasant place for our members and visitors to relax, meet like-minded people and, of course, glide'. The set up is small, but very well organised, with a duty pilot, ground crew team and tug team all ready to help you get into the air for your first lesson.
You will be taught in one of the modern two seater trainer gliders at Peterborough, such as the Puchacz or Twin Astir models, both of which are owned by the members. Chief Flying Instructor Kevin Fear, or one of his team, will show you around the craft as it is being 'rigged' ready for launch. Once strapped in and settled, the rope is attached to the tug aircraft (either a Pawnee or Beagle Huskey) and you are pulled into the air.
Depending on which experience voucher you've chosen, you'll be released at anything from 2000 to 5280ft (that's a mile high!), following the usual glider protocol that dictates that you go left and the plane breaks off right.
From that moment on it is just you, the pilot instructor and the craft as you soar through the air - it takes a few moments to get used to the sound of wind rushing with no motorised noise, but once you do you'll be keen to learn about the search for 'thermals' as the lattice of fields of the Peterborough landscape gets ever smaller as your glider continues to rise.
If you opt for a single Peterborough gliding session, you will enjoy one aerotow from the airfield, calculated to give you between 20 and 30 minutes of gliding time. Those on the one day introduction to gliding experience will get a much fuller insight into how gliders soar and fly, rigging and launching, as you'll have the benefit of not just one, but three aerotows from this airfield in Peterborough during your day, which we think will have you hooked on gliding!
Availability
• Weekends and throughout the year, subject to availability and weather conditions
• Flights are generally less frequent during the winter months
Suitable For
• Minimum age 14
• Under 18s must be accompanied on the airfield by an adult
• Maximum height 6ft 4ins
• Maximum weight 16 stone
• It will not be possible for you to fly if you suffer from epilepsy, fainting or certain physical or mental disabilities
Spectators
• Spectators are welcome
• A camera or a pair of binoculars will come in handy
Anything Else I Need To Know?
• Wear flat-soled shoes and bring a jumper in case it gets cold at high altitudes
• Sunglasses are recommended
Location
• Crowland Airfield, Peterborough
