Stratford on Avon Gliding Club: Planning Permission

We have applied for a variation to our planning consent to allow us to operate touring motor gliders (TMGs) from Snitterfield Airfield. To accompany our application we have proposed an Operational Procedures Manual governing the use of powered gliders to protect our neighbours - this will be strictly enforced by ourselves and will also be a legally binding document that the planning department can enforce.

Let's be clear - we are a gliding club and we only want to operate gliders from our site, but we would like to be able to operate gliders that have an engine. We do NOT want light aircraft (Cesnas, Warriors and the like), microlights, helicopters, tug aircraft or any other type of powered flying machine - these are not gliders! Neither do we want to become a drop-in site for all TMGs in the country - prior permission will be needed for any motor glider to land at Snitterfield airfield.

Our long term future depends on being able to offer a full training syllabus that includes

Navigation Training
Field Selection Training

By the nature of the above training, this needs to be carried out away from the airfield in unfamiliar surroundings for the student pilot. A TMG, which is a glider because it is capable of sustained gliding flight with the engine stopped, lets us do this training without being entirely dependent on the weather and without the risk of having to land in a farmer's field. It will also allow this training to become part of our annual refresher training and will make us all better pilots as a result!

If our application is successful, this will make our club more attractive to prospective new members and experienced glider pilots alike, and help assure our long term future.