SGC Members Forum

These public courses, run throughout the spring and summer, on the dates given at the bottom of the page.

They have proven extremely popular and have given many their first experience of soaring flight, even of flying itself. Some people join Southdown Gliding Club as a result of the day.

Not all participants are novices and we do welcome commercial, military and pilots of other types of aircraft e.g. hang gliders who wish to try gliding. We tailor the day to suit the pilots (or student pilots) past experience.

Run by a group of the Southdown Gliding Clubs regular instructors and several members as ground crew, the course provides a day of flying training, and after three flights, most participants, even with no previous experience, are able to fly the glider at around the correct speed, fly on a course, do turns and often considerably more.

The day starts at 08.45 - 09.00 and after introductions and learning of the previous flying experience of the participants, we give briefings on Basic Principles of Flight and the Mode of Instruction, Safety in operations with the aircraft and about the airfield in general and an introduction to the equipment, that is the gliders their controls and flight instruments, ground handling vehicles and parachutes.

After that and refreshment, we start with the first of the three flights of the day. The actual launch height and flight duration may vary with conditions but, in general each will comprise an aero tow launch to 2,500-3,000 feet and about 30 minutes in the air. If any flight is unreasonably short because of conditions, we will supplement it. If conditions are suitable and there is time there may be the opportunity to experience soaring in thermals or ridge soaring.

There is time between individual flights, to talk to the ground crew who will be pleased to answer questions and provide information.

The flying takes until about 16.00 and we normally take a staggered lunch break. Lunch is not provided, so bring from home, but we have tea, coffee, fridges, microwave etc. and sometimes sandwiches. Food is also available in Storrington, if you wish to buy on the way in.

At conclusion of the day, there will be a short appraisal, some information about civilian gliding in the UK, about Southdown Gliding Club and its facilities, and making the first entries in your personal gliding Log Books and progress cards.

Very occasionally, the English climate makes conditions unsuitable for flying training, and we will rearrange the whole days program or offer the three flights as Trial lesson flights on one or more Fridays, or on club flying days. We are very flexible.

On the course day itself, clothing should be as for a country walk (without the boots, any outdoor shoes are adequate) and appropriate for the weather.

For more information see our FAQ page or if you can't find what you are looking for please contact Jackie on 01903 742137 (Mon - Fri) or alternatively you can email her via the "Gliding enquiries" botton on the menu.

2009 dates are as follows :-