Harnessing the power of nature to soar through the skies without an engine.

What is Gliding?

How a Gliding Club Works

Check out this video produced for the Glide Britain project to find out a bit more about what it means to be a member of the gliding community.

 

What is gliding?

Gliding involves flying unpowered aircraft using the same naturally occurring currents of air that birds use to fly. Using these invisible currents of air, known as ‘lift’, you can soar to great heights and travel great distances around the country at average speeds of over 100 kilometres per hour. Typical cross country flight distances are around 300km, but flights in excess of 1,000km and altitudes of over 30,000 feet have been achieved in the UK with even greater heights and distances achieved in the mountainous regions of the world.

How does a glider stay in the air?

Glider pilots use 3 main types of rising air to stay airborne:

Thermals – columns of rising air produced when the sun heats the ground which then heats the atmosphere

Ridge or hill lift – air pushed upwards when it blows against the edge of a slope

Mountain wave – currents of air that rise to get over the top of hills or mountains and then flow and rebound, creating a wave-like motion that can continue for hundreds of miles

Is there an age limit?

There is a minimum age restriction of 12 years and student pilots can go solo from the age of 14 after completing their training. There is no upper age restriction. We suggest getting in touch with the club before committing to purchasing a lesson or experience flight if you have any concerns or questions.

 

Who can fly a glider?

There are very few restrictions on who can fly in a glider though there are some height and weight limits to take into consideration.

The maximum weight for someone in a glider is 110kg (242lbs) wearing clothes and a parachute (7kg). The minimum weight is 51kg (112lb).

People taller than 1.9m (6ft 3ins) may have difficulty fitting into the cockpit of many gliders and we would advise contacting us before booking a flight.

 
Sometimes, when the conditions are “not as expected”, we aren’t able to get back to the airfield. A safe landing in a farmer’s field is necessary and a crew will drive to the location with the trailer and bring the glider back
Sometimes, when the conditions are “not as expected”, we aren’t able to get back to the airfield. A safe landing in a farmer’s field is necessary and a crew will drive to the location with the trailer and bring the glider back by road. Such a flight happened today during Andrew’s first flight in the Oly from Usk. Certainly a memorable event from day one of the Vintage Rally. Unfortunately, Saturday looks like it will be a washout.
What a great weekend. Congratulations to David for his first solo! Also plenty of soaring flights to kick start the season. If you’ve always wanted to learn to fly, why not check out gliding and give one of our experience flights a go, these
What a great weekend. Congratulations to David for his first solo! Also plenty of soaring flights to kick start the season. If you’ve always wanted to learn to fly, why not check out gliding and give one of our experience flights a go, these come with a free month of membership so you can come back and fly at member rates. . . . . . #gliding #learntofly #flyinglessons #southwales #visitmonmouthshire #usk #monmouthshire #glider #firstsolo #pilot #dosomethingdifferent
A busy Good Friday at the club yesterday. All aerotows so out tug pilot had plenty of practice “dropping the rope” in between launches. . . . . . #gliding #learntofly #trysomethingnew #visitwales #soaring #flyinglesson #topgun #aviation #monmouthshire #visitmonmouthshire #usk
The aerotow is one of the ways we launch gliders. Once at the preferred height, the glider pilot releases from the tow rope to fly unassisted. Interested in having a go? Check out our experience flights on the website. .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #airplane #avgeek #aviation #aviationlovers #flying #learntofly #pilot #pilotlife #pilotschool #pilotsofinstagram #pilottraining #plane #planegeek #planespotter #ppl #sightseeing #spotting #studentpilotjourney #studentpilotlife #whyifly #gliding #flying #experienceflight #flyinglesson #visitwales #dosomethingdifferent ⁣ .⁣
South Wales Gliding Club is proud to be the host of the VGC’s Mini Rally in May, dubbed the Coronation Rally! A weekend of classic and vintage gliding above the beautiful Welsh countryside. To the East is the picturesque Wye Valley and to the W
South Wales Gliding Club is proud to be the host of the VGC’s Mini Rally in May, dubbed the Coronation Rally! A weekend of classic and vintage gliding above the beautiful Welsh countryside. To the East is the picturesque Wye Valley and to the West, the Brecon Beacons National Park. Register your interest, or confirm your attendance via the website or Facebook
What a great week! SWGC’s Task Week didn’t have the best weather but 20 cross country tasks were flown, sometimes in quite challenging conditions. I think we all learnt at least a couple of things about our flying. . . . . . #gliding #do
What a great week! SWGC’s Task Week didn’t have the best weather but 20 cross country tasks were flown, sometimes in quite challenging conditions. I think we all learnt at least a couple of things about our flying. . . . . . #gliding #dosomethingdifferent #aviation #learntofly #visitminmouthshire #pilotlife #britishgliding
Looking to try something new, or perhaps you're after the perfect gift for Christmas? Take a look at our trial lessons, now available to purchase via the website. www.uskgc.co.uk/try-gliding #trysomethingnew #learntofly #flying #flyinghigh #visitmon
Looking to try something new, or perhaps you're after the perfect gift for Christmas? Take a look at our trial lessons, now available to purchase via the website. www.uskgc.co.uk/try-gliding #trysomethingnew #learntofly #flying #flyinghigh #visitmonmouthshire #usk #gliding #glidingexperience #adventureawaits
After a rather grim start to the day yesterday, things improved and we had a great day of training using the winch and aerotow. Well done to everyone involved. Are you interested in learning to fly? Visit our website for more information. Link in b
After a rather grim start to the day yesterday, things improved and we had a great day of training using the winch and aerotow. Well done to everyone involved. Are you interested in learning to fly? Visit our website for more information. Link in bio. #learntofly #trysomethingdifferent #visitmonmouthshire #overthebridgetowales #gliding #flying #aviation #flyinglesson #britishgliding #usk #monmouthshire #gliding #glider
Yesterday was a beautiful day, with new members and existing members alike benefitting from a clear, cloudy day. #soaring #gliding #aviation #monmouth #pilot #glider
Yesterday was a beautiful day, with new members and existing members alike benefitting from a clear, cloudy day. #soaring #gliding #aviation #monmouth #pilot #glider
A fantastic photo taken by one of our members on a soaring flight. #gliding #aviation #soaring #pilotlife #gliding
A fantastic photo taken by one of our members on a soaring flight. #gliding #aviation #soaring #pilotlife #gliding
Have you ever flown an aerotow? This method of launching uses a tow aircraft, propellor driven, to pull the glider up to height. Aerotow launching is a great way of getting airtime and honing your stick and rudder skills, as well as the preferred met
Have you ever flown an aerotow? This method of launching uses a tow aircraft, propellor driven, to pull the glider up to height. Aerotow launching is a great way of getting airtime and honing your stick and rudder skills, as well as the preferred method of launching for most competition pilots. #pilotlife #aviation #glider #soaring #wings #usk #wales #flying #fun
Are you a young person aspiring to train as a commercial pilot, or to join the armed forces as the next ‘Top Gun’? Did you know that gliding gives you the skills necessary to make an excellent professional pilot, make like-minded friends,
Are you a young person aspiring to train as a commercial pilot, or to join the armed forces as the next ‘Top Gun’? Did you know that gliding gives you the skills necessary to make an excellent professional pilot, make like-minded friends, gives you connections and insight into the industry and is also loads of fun? Well now you do! What are you waiting for- get into gliding! #futurepilot #futureairlinepilot #flighttraining #aviation #piloteyes #gliding #pilot #wales #Monmouthshire
Turn your dreams into reality- this could be your view! Gliding is a sport open to virtually anyone (and we’d be surprised if we can’t find a way to get someone involved). If you are medically fit to drive a car, you are more than likely
Turn your dreams into reality- this could be your view! Gliding is a sport open to virtually anyone (and we’d be surprised if we can’t find a way to get someone involved). If you are medically fit to drive a car, you are more than likely medical fit to fly a glider. Push yourself to achieve- sights like this will be your reward. Excited? Motivated? Confused? Message us, start the conversation, and begin your gliding journey today. #glidingis beautiful!
Gliding is... exhilarating! Try the #glidingis challenge... post a photo of your soaring with that hashtag! Let’s see your photos! Come and join us at South Wales Gliding Club near Usk!
Gliding is... exhilarating! Try the #glidingis challenge... post a photo of your soaring with that hashtag! Let’s see your photos! Come and join us at South Wales Gliding Club near Usk!
Keep flying, but keep safe! Our operations are carried out following social distancing and protective guidelines for the safety of our club members and the wider public. Here you can see two pilots returning to the airfield with appropriate face cove
Keep flying, but keep safe! Our operations are carried out following social distancing and protective guidelines for the safety of our club members and the wider public. Here you can see two pilots returning to the airfield with appropriate face coverings worn in flight. #bga #aviation #flying #pilot #glider
Sometimes, when the conditions are “not as expected”, we aren’t able to get back to the airfield. A safe landing in a farmer’s field is necessary and a crew will drive to the location with the trailer and bring the glider back What a great weekend. Congratulations to David for his first solo! Also plenty of soaring flights to kick start the season. If you’ve always wanted to learn to fly, why not check out gliding and give one of our experience flights a go, these
A busy Good Friday at the club yesterday. All aerotows so out tug pilot had plenty of practice “dropping the rope” in between launches. . . . . . #gliding #learntofly #trysomethingnew #visitwales #soaring #flyinglesson #topgun #aviation
The aerotow is one of the ways we launch gliders. Once at the preferred height, the glider pilot releases from the tow rope to fly unassisted. Interested in having a go? Check out our experience flights on the website. .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #airplane #avgeek
South Wales Gliding Club is proud to be the host of the VGC’s Mini Rally in May, dubbed the Coronation Rally! A weekend of classic and vintage gliding above the beautiful Welsh countryside. To the East is the picturesque Wye Valley and to the W What a great week! SWGC’s Task Week didn’t have the best weather but 20 cross country tasks were flown, sometimes in quite challenging conditions. I think we all learnt at least a couple of things about our flying. . . . . . #gliding #do Looking to try something new, or perhaps you're after the perfect gift for Christmas? Take a look at our trial lessons, now available to purchase via the website. www.uskgc.co.uk/try-gliding #trysomethingnew #learntofly #flying #flyinghigh #visitmon After a rather grim start to the day yesterday, things improved and we had a great day of training using the winch and aerotow. Well done to everyone involved. Are you interested in learning to fly? Visit our website for more information. Link in b Yesterday was a beautiful day, with new members and existing members alike benefitting from a clear, cloudy day. #soaring #gliding #aviation #monmouth #pilot #glider A fantastic photo taken by one of our members on a soaring flight. #gliding #aviation #soaring #pilotlife #gliding Have you ever flown an aerotow? This method of launching uses a tow aircraft, propellor driven, to pull the glider up to height. Aerotow launching is a great way of getting airtime and honing your stick and rudder skills, as well as the preferred met Are you a young person aspiring to train as a commercial pilot, or to join the armed forces as the next ‘Top Gun’? Did you know that gliding gives you the skills necessary to make an excellent professional pilot, make like-minded friends, Turn your dreams into reality- this could be your view! Gliding is a sport open to virtually anyone (and we’d be surprised if we can’t find a way to get someone involved). If you are medically fit to drive a car, you are more than likely Gliding is... exhilarating! Try the #glidingis challenge... post a photo of your soaring with that hashtag! Let’s see your photos! Come and join us at South Wales Gliding Club near Usk! Keep flying, but keep safe! Our operations are carried out following social distancing and protective guidelines for the safety of our club members and the wider public. Here you can see two pilots returning to the airfield with appropriate face cove