FAQ
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
The EGC Welcome to Gliding experiences and EGC Training Courses provide an ideal first step.
The EGC Welcome to Gliding experiences are not instructional courses. They are intended to provide you with an opportunity to take your first steps in controlling a glider or simply sit back, relax enjoy the view. It is up to you!
Our tailored EGC Training Courses are more ‘hands on’; for pilots at all stages of learning to glide. Our training programme includes 1,2 and 5 day courses, all of which can help you progress and improve your gliding skills.
WHEN CAN I FLY?
EGC Welcome to Gliding flights are available on most weekends throughout the year. During the main flying season (from April to September), there is usually a midweek day when flights can be arranged if the weather is suitable.
EGC Training Courses take place on set days and weeks during the flying season.
As a member, you will have the opportunity to fly during all seasons. Although the summer months are the main flying season, EGC flies throughout the year, when weather conditions permit. In fact, because we have a ‘ridge’ close to the airfield, it is often possible to have long soaring flights even in the depths of winter.
WILL I HAVE A CHANCE TO JOIN IN AIRFIELD ACTIVITIES?
Absolutely! A gliding club is a community, with everybody ‘mucking in’ and helping each other. It is one of the many things that makes our sport so special and addictive.
In no time, you’ll find yourself driving the golf buggies that we use to move gliders around on the ground, or helping to launch the gliders.
If you book on an EGC Welcome to Gliding experience or an EGC Training Course, you’ll qualify for a period of free membership, which entitles you to sign up for one of our EGC Welcome Back days, during which you can book more flights and training at reduced membership rates.
ARE THERE ANY AGE LIMITS?
Not many. Children under the age of 18 will require a parent's or guardian's written consent and if under 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other nominated adult while at the airfield. Children under the age of 14 will be able to fly at the discretion of the instructor conducting the lesson.
There is no upper age limit. Some of our pilots are still flying well into their 80s!
For our younger visitors, we have a strict Child Protection Policy and we have an advice document for their parents and guardians, found HERE.
All of our instructors are DBS checked. But, if you are a parent or guardian, the best reassurance is to have a go yourself. Gliding is a great sport for all the family. And you’ll find the proof here at Edgehill Gliding Centre; we have several multi-generational families (LINK HERE) flying including one family with three generations of pilots.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN?
You will have an opportunity to take control and fly the glider from Day 1 – of course our dual control gliders allow the instructor to take over at any time.
Within next to no time, you will be taking off and landing, as you find your confidence growing daily under the expert guidance of our instructors. On average, it takes about 40 flights before you are sent solo.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
A lot less than many sports! Gliding is one of the least expensive ways of flying.
For a start, you don’t need to worry about fixing or maintaining engines! If you join Edgehill Gliding Centre, you can hire one of our gliders for as little as £15 per hour. Our membership rates are posted on this website (link to Tariff page), and don’t forget – if you sign up for one of the EGC Welcome to Gliding experiences (link to Welcome to Gliding experiences) or a Training Course (link to Training Courses) you will have an opportunity to come back and fly at those reduced rates.
​
Edgehill Gliding Centre has an Affordable Gliding Policy, and offers subsidised fees for prospective pilots who are unable to meet the full costs of membership and flying. Please contact us for details.
DO YOU HAVE TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT TO FLY A GLIDER?
If you are fit enough to drive a car, you should be fit enough to fly a glider - the medical requirements are very similar.
In fact, at EGC, some of our club gliders have been adapted to allow them to be flown by pilots with limited or no mobility in their legs.
There are some height and weights limits, but these aren’t an issue for most people. If your height falls outside 5'/152cm to 6'4"/193cm or you are heavier than 16 stones 4 lbs (103kg), please contact us for further details.
DO I HAVE TO BUY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT OR CLOTHES TO TAKE PART?
No. But as always with British weather, come prepared for warm, cold, wet or dry conditions ….sometimes on the same day!
WILL I NEED TO BUY MY OWN GLIDER?
No. Edgehill Gliding Centre has a fleet of its own gliders available to EGC members to hire whilst they are training and after they have qualified.
As you progress to solo flying, you will learn in our two-seaters – alongside our expert instructors – but could transfer to our single seater when you have learned the required skills.
Eventually, most members either buy their own glider or join a private glider syndicate. That way, you get to join a like-minded group of pilots and share the costs of owning your own glider.