Gliding Courses

We run five-day Glider Pilot Training Courses from Monday to Friday on specific weeks throughout the summer. 

We are delighted to announce that following the success of our gliding course weeks in 2023, we have scheduled four dedicated weeks for our 5-day gliding courses in 2024.

Gliding Course Dates 2024:

  • Monday 13th May 2024 – Sorry, this course week is sold out.
  • Monday 10th June 2024
  • Monday 1st July 2024
  • Monday 5th August 2024

Please contact us for details.

Our courses are aimed at all levels of ability, especially those who have not flown before, and are tailored to the individual. Instruction is mostly practical, and where appropriate there will be classroom explanations of what you’re learning in the air, but few lectures, no bookwork, and absolutely no tests or exams.

A course will consist of a maximum of four course members, with two instructors dedicated to them.

A typical course day starts at 9am and finishes around 6pm.
– 09:00 : Prepare & check all equipment, vehicles and aircraft
– 10:00 : Daily briefing for all, followed by specific briefing for course members
– 10:30 : Flying commences
– 17:00 : Flying finishes, pack away equipment, vehicles and aircraft
– 17:30 : Debrief for Course members

On each course day you can expect up to 5 launches or 75 minutes in the air (whichever comes first). – the length of each flight is mainly determined by the weather conditions at that time.

Apart from the flying, there are many ground roles that you will be taught which are needed to allow anyone to fly. Of course you will be given full safety briefings about all aspects of operations on the ground as well as in the air.

Fun is included at no extra cost 😊

The course fee includes three months membership of the Club, so you can come and enjoy the rest of the season, flying as a Club member at Club rates. You can even start your three month membership before your course if you wish.

Please don’t expect to fly solo within the week, though. A few people do, but it’s exceptional. You’ll probably be doing all the flying by Wednesday or Thursday, but there’s a great deal of airmanship to be learnt as well. You need to know how to recognise difficult situations, to learn how to avoid getting into them, and when you (inevitably) have got yourself into trouble, how to get yourself out of it. That sort of judgement takes a while to establish itself.

If you do expect or hope to fly solo during the week, we’ll need a signed medical form from you, with your driving Licence photocopied on to it. The level of fitness is that of DVLA Group 1 (private driving). We can provide you with the appropriate form, or you can download a PDF version of it.

COURse typeprice
1 day course (adult)£225Includes membership for 1 month, first course only
5 day course (adult)£750Includes membership for 3 months, first course only

Please also read:

This is your First Flight in a glider, or it’s your first visit to us
You are 17 Years Old or Younger
You are particularly Large or Small
You are concerned about your Physical Fitness
You have a Disability

Food & Drink

We have tea, coffee, soft drinks, chocolate bars, crisps and microwave snacks that can be purchased in our self-service kitchen (yes you have to wash up your own pots as well as pay for the ludicrously cheap snacks). Of course you are welcome to bring you own lunch should you wish.

Accommodation

We have no accommodation on site. If you like, you can bring a caravan or a tent and stay on the airfield at no charge, but we do charge for electricity hook ups for caravans. There’s a shower in the Clubhouse that you can use, once it’s been opened up. Alternatively, there are plenty of B&Bs in Stratford and the surrounding area. There’s a tourist guide to Shakespeare’s Stratford here which tells you about a lot of things going on in the area, local services, restaurants, and accommodation.

For more information, or to book your course place, contact John.