Gliding is like nothing else...
It's flying that's affordable and fun. Almost anyone can learn to do it. In the right conditions, gliders can stay up for hours, fly for hundreds of kilometres and reach heights of more than 30,000 feet! You are surprisingly unrestricted in where you can go and the kind of flying you enjoy (including aerobatics) is for you to decide.
How do I become a glider pilot?
If you'd like to try gliding, start off with a Trial Lesson - a short flight to see what it's like - when you can experience how it feels to fly a glider.
We offer Trial Lessons and Trial Lesson Vouchers (excellent gifts!) and can
arrange Flying Evenings or Afternoons for groups of up to 20 people.
Junior Pilots
You can fly with an Instructor as soon as you can reach the controls and accept instruction. The younger you are the faster you will learn but you cannot legally fly solo in the UK until your sixteenth birthday. Many young pilots achieve the skills to fly solo months before their sixteenth birthday - but, imagine, your first solo flight could be the highlight of your sixteenth birthday party!
Annual fees for 'Juniors' are minimal. "Glider Pilot" will look good on your CV whatever your chosen career especially when you explain that launching gliders is a team effort! Some glider pilots will convert to power flying; whether they fly fast jets or an Airbus the true pilot will always enjoy gliding.
BGA Juniors will guide you to scholarships. Shalbourne will teach you to fly safely, soar, fly cross-country and then fly faster. Maybe you will qualify to fly in the Junior World Championships? You will have to work hard; our juniors usually get a gold and a few other medals!