COME GLIDING WITH US
What to expect at Shalbourne Gliding
YOUR FIRST FLIGHT
Our Flying Experiences provide a great way to get a taste for our sport of silent flying.
If you want to come and see us in action, you'll be made very welcome and we can show you what gliding is all about but we can't promise that you will get to fly if you show up without booking.
You can either book a flying experience directly or you can contact us first to find out more.
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When you arrive at the airfield, please follow these instructions to ensure you reach us as quicky as possible.
FLYING
We will aim to get you into the air as soon as possible but there may be a short wait for an aircraft or instructor to become available. Take the opportunity to chat to our friendly members and find out more about gliding and Shalbourne.
When ready, the instructor will talk to you about the glider and explain what will happen during your flight, show you some important aspects of the aircraft. You'll then be settled into the front seat of the cockpit while he or she gets into the rear. Some brief pre-flight checks will take place and then you'll be ready to go!
WHAT TO WEAR
Please wear casual, comfortable clothing. Rivar Hill is a field site and when you’re not climbing in an out of gliders you will spend your time by the launch point in the field. We suggest you don’t wear a skirt or dress. The field can get soft in wetter periods so wear flat shoes or trainers. Bring several layers as it can be chilly in stronger winds, you can always leave them in your car if not needed. On the other hand the open field has little shade when it's sunny so remember sun-block and sunglasses are recommended for flying in most conditions.
WHO CAN FLY?
Just about anyone can be taught to fly as long as you are able to follow direction and have a mind open to learning. We welcome all people of all ages and abilities so why not come along and see us! You need to be relatively fit but if you can medically qualify for a driving licence, that is usually sufficient.
Gliding is a wonderful way for young people to find excitement and satisfaction. It's possible to qualify to fly solo at the age of 14 and the oldest member to qualify here at Shalbourne was 82!
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Gliding really is a sport for everyone!
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT LIMITS
You can fly in our 2 seater gliders as long as you weigh no more than the safe upper limit of 16 stone (101Kg). There also may be an issue if you are taller than 6’4″ (193cm). This is not a safety constraint but more an issue of whether the glider's perspex canopy can be closed comfortably. If you’re above this height you may still be able to fit in one of our gliders, especially if more of that height is in your legs, but it isn't guaranteed. You’re welcome to come up to the airfield and try one for size.
HOW WE OPERATE
Shalbourne Gliding is a not-for-profit Members’ Club, run by its members for its members on a completely voluntary bases.
As a result there is much to do besides flying! If you are practical and have time to pitch in there is always equipment to be maintained, buildings to paint, vehicles to keep running and so on.
There's also a mile of grass to mow!
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As a Community Amateur Sports Club, we are keen to make gliding available to everyone and we are always pleased to welcome visitors and introduce them to our wonderful sport.
OUR AIRFIELD
Rivar Hill is an all grass airfield near the village of Shalbourne in Wiltshire. Sitting on top of the downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the site enjoys excellent soaring from thermals and our North-facing ridge. At almost one mile in length, Rivar Hill is a large, safe site and ideally placed for good local soaring and cross-country flights.
OUR INSTRUCTORS
We have a team of experienced instructors who are rigorously assessed to the standards of the British Gliding Association (BGA). They are here to help guide you through the BGA's training syllabus for pilots and develop not just your flying skills but also your understanding of a range of subjects such as aircraft principles, airfield operations, meteorology and navigation. Tuition is free for members of the club.
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​Flying operations and training policies are overseen by our Chief Flying Instructor Phil Morgan
We are very fortunate that the instructors at Shalbourne have a diverse range of experiences in our sport including competition coaches who have coached gliding teams at both national and international level
OUR FLEET
We have three two seater gliders for training and basic flying: an AS K-13 and two SZD-50 Puchacz. We also own two single seat aircraft: a K-8 and a Slingsby Sport Vega for more advanced flying.
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Our fleet is inspected and maintained in our own on-site workshop by our engineering team all of whom are trained and assessed by the BGA. Two of them are rated Senior Inspectors and one is part of the team responsible for maintaining and improving engineering quality with the BGA.
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In addition there are many privately owned gliders kept at our club of all makes, types and vintages.