On Friday, June 19, Devon & Somerset Gliding Club, at North Hill Airfield, near Honiton, is giving members of the public the chance to take to the skies from just £45 as part of its annual Charity Flying Day – here’s why you should give it a go, writes Fran McElhone.
Fran McElhone went for a taster day with her son, pictured here. Photo: Fran McElhone.
We all dream about it from time to time, and, when asked what we’d choose as our superpower, “flying” is always a strong contender. But while most of us have flown in jet planes to go on holiday, this isn’t the case when it comes to gliding, despite it being the most affordable way to fly, and being available on our doorstep here in East Devon.
Take to the skies for £45 at the club’s annual charity Flying Day, on June 19. Photo: Fran McElhone.
When we – myself and my 11-year-old son – visit the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club at its base at North Hill Airfield near Dunkeswell, the UK was on the cusp of the May heatwave and there are barely any clouds in the sky. While a cloudless sky is something to behold for most of us, they’re a disappointment to gliding enthusiasts who instead have a penchant for fluffy clouds due to them representing the presence of thermals, “invisible elevators” for gliders.
Devon & Somerset Gliding Club welcomes all ages Junior members benefit from reduced rates,. Photo: Fran McElhone.
Safety brief complete and straps tightened, within seconds of leaving the ground behind it’s clear why so many of those milling around us today have been members for years, some for decades; it’s stunningly beautiful up in the sky and utterly peaceful – pure escapism. You can come for a gliding experience, like us, and if you catch the flying bug, become a member, which is more affordable that you may think: annual membership is £425, about the same as a gym, and a fraction of a golf club. Once a member, you turn up, put your name on the flying list, with each winch launch costing £10.40 for adult members and £7.80 for juniors. Flying time is then 50-pence per minute, including an instructor/pilot.
The club owns 120 acres, six gliders and a tug aircraft. Photo: Fran McElhone.
Before taking me up to the skies, Simon Leeson, who started gliding back in the 70s as a teen with the Air Training Corps and has been member of the club for 37 years, tells me: “It’s one of the most accessible and affordable forms of flying there is. The reason we can keep our costs low is because everyone volunteers here; the instructors, the winch operator, the tow pilot. And we own all 120-acres here and six gliders as well as our tug aircraft. It’s an economical way to learn how to fly and you can take it at your pace.”
Club members range from 12 years old, up to those enjoying gliding as a retirement hobby. Photo: Fran McElhone.
While some are here for the community and the joy of flying, the vast majority of members, ranging from 12-year-olds to those enjoying a hobby in retirement have the intention of flying solo one day so, as well as getting as much air time as possible, there’s theory to learn such as navigation and meteorology, including identifying the perfect aforementioned fluffy clouds, and how to read the wind: after the launch and reaching peak height, gliders are always descending so the aim is to find the thermals to power you up and prolong the flight.
Everyone volunteers the club, helping to keep costs down. Photo: Fran McElhone.
When you visit, you have a choice of the aerotow launch – where the glider is towed up by a plane providing a more mellow ascent while providing greater heights to enable skills to be taught and practiced, or to try and find the thermals – and the winch launch – where a person-operated winch attached to the glider by a cable makes for a more thrilling ascent but at lower heights.
On Friday, June 19, Devon & Somerset Gliding Club, at North Hill Airfield, near Honiton, is giving members of the public the chance to take to the skies from just £45 as part of its annual Charity Flying Day. Photo: Fran McElhone.
“I love every part of it,” Simon replies, when I ask him what his favourite bit about gliding is. “The best thing is being able to give something to someone else through your passion and help them progress up the gliding ladder.”
Fran’s son getting ready for his accompanied glider flight. Photo: Fran McElhone.
He adds: “I was hooked half way up my first launch! It’s amazing when you get to peak height and you look over and see Wales in one direction and Portland Bill in the other, and finding the thermals which propel you up 200-feet a minute, it’s just brilliant.”
Fran’s 11-year-old son at Devon & Somerset Gliding Club. Photo: Fran McElhone.
The hobby is suitable for all ages. Photo: Fran McElhone.
The sense of community is evident and members are clearly enjoying the peaceful and relaxed environment here (and the full English breakfasts!) when they’re not in the air. In addition to learning to become a solo pilot, you can also train to become an instructor, a cross-country pilot or a specialist aerobatics pilot. And for some of the 15 or so junior members, who benefit from reduced rates, careers in aviation beckon.
Some of the gliders at the club. Photo: Fran McElhone.
Kai, 14, who has been a member for about a year, tells me what he enjoys most about it: “It’s an escape from the real world up there! I love the responsibility of flying too. My goal is to become a pilot, although I’m not sure whether I want to be an airline or an RAF pilot yet. Gliding is a lot cheaper than power flying, and you learn so much and get so much stick and rudder time. And it’s such a nice club vibe here. Flying is half the fun, the other half is making friends.”
Devon & Somerset Gliding Club, at North Hill Airfield, near Honiton, is gearing up for its annual Charity Flying Day, on June 19, where you can take to the skies for £45. Photo: Fran McElhone
I find Sally, 53, in Launch Control. She says: “My husband flies, and my son joined age 12 and went solo at 14, so we’ve done it as a family and I’ve always helped on the airfield. I love the social side, everyone supports one another, because, no one can fly without someone else helping out on the ground. When you’re up there, it’s a great feeling to know that an engine hasn’t got you there – you’ve worked to be there.”
I get chatting to Sandra, whose driven over from Poole with her best friend who bought her a gliding experience for her 50th birthday. She tells me: “I could have got massage or my nails done for the same price, but you can do that any time – this is a life experience.”
- Devon & Somerset Gliding Club annual charity Flying Day, this year is in aid of Hospiscare and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. For more information or to book, visit: www.dsgc.co.uk/services/charity-day
