Ray_li

Recently got into flying gliders and I totally love it.

Done about 8 launches with a total flight time of 3.5 hours I'm still in the early stages of learning but i think its going really well.

I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

I did it until recently, time's against me in the current job but my highligh was doing aero's over Lincolnshire a fews year back

speedymonkey

Is it an expensive hobby


I imagine its great fun, would love to have a go one day

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

It's not too bad, you can get trial flights on the BGA website, and it's a lot cheaper than flying.

Leslie

I had a go in one of those Air Cadets open cockpit ones once. It was so chilly I never did it again

Les

Ray_li

its a relative cheap way to take up flying.

Engine planes cost about £150 per hour.
Glider cost about £25 per hour and £7 for a launch

Ray_li

I can imagen its cold in the winter but any airfield would be.

I got a nice tan the last few times

Nimbus

I used to do this a lot a few years ago (hence the user name). I used to go in the odd weekend during the winter/spring, then went for a weeks intensive course in the spring. I didn't manage to go solo that time due to a couple of days being rained off, but booked another days course in the summer where I got my first solo . I used to go regularly in the evenings and weekends. It's a lot cheaper than powered flight and I much preferred it. I remember my first solo very well. I had just come off the top of a winch launch, felt some lift and started to turn. Looking over my right I saw a seagull circling in the same thermal.

I really would like to get back into it, but lack of time prevents it at the moment.

Nimbus

Was that a T21? I flew one of these once. It's certainly a novel experience and quite change from a closed cockpit

Leslie

I think thats the one, but can't remember for sure. We used to tow them up with the Chipmunk and then beat the airfield up when we dropped the cable before landing!

Les

Ray_li

my trail membership is due in Sept so i'm looking at £375 membership, £7.75 per winch launch, £2.25 for 5 mins in a K21 and a 120 mile round trip.

No sure if I should stick to the above which is a great club or got for a cheaper and closer gliding club (20 miles away) but not as nice

David Lock

Where are you Ray?

I live about 1/2 mile from South Downs GC in Sussex so we gets lots skimming the rooftops. There seem to be a lot of thermals over the Downs so I think it must be a good area. My father-in-law had a ride in one for his 90th but his pacemaker coped

We also get quite a few hot air ballons but no "incidents" so far. But I guess you have to be blind or drunk to fly into one of those dl

Ray_li

I'm in Birmingham but fly at Long Mynd (Shropshire) which is 60 miles away

dpb

5mins flying only

Well certainly sounds cheaper per minute than windsurfing/diving/yachting






Closest one to me is east of Lewes too,possibly the one David is talking about

Nimbus

I would try and find a club closer. A 120 mile journey every time you want to fly is going to put you off. I was luck in that my club was about 25 mins away and had some modern fibreglass two seater trainers and single seaters. I would try and find somewhere closer with a modern fleet (if possible. IE fibreglass, not wood and canvas! ). You will get more air time due to the better performance and be more motivated I think.

TopBanana

Given it a go once and enjoyed it. If I had more time I'd definitely look into it more seriously

Ray_li

Every time I drive there I think its not worth it until I get there and it beautiful

I think I closer club will help. I'll try the closer one and see how it goes. Last time I checked the closer club out I didnt feel very welcomed but it was a none flying day (winds was not blowing the right way as they only have one launch direction)