CHILTERN GLIDING CLUB

Adrian Lake, CGC

You have probably seen the gliders flying over the camp as they take advantage of the soaring conditions that the Chiltern Ridge provides when the wind is blowing from the right direction. As members of the RAF, we all have a passion for aviation and all that goes to support it. Have you ever gazed skywards and thought that you would like to experience the thrill of soaring like a bird through a cloud speckled sky? Well, what is stopping you? The RAF Gliding and Soaring Association exists to give all servicemen, civilian MOD employees, and their families, the opportunity to experience the adventurous sport of gliding and Chilterns Gliding Club is your very local branch. Whether you just want an experience flight with one of our qualified instructors or want to take the challenge further and learn to fly solo in one of our state-of-the- art gliders, Chilterns Gliding Club can meet your aspirations.

We have a very active club at Halton airfield that meets every weekend, and if conditions allow we fly midweek also. If you would like to give gliding a try, come down to the airfield and meet us. If you are looking for an activity to share with colleagues as a Force Development Day, why not come gliding? Just give us a call, we can accommodate most requests with enough notice. There is a cost associated with flying, but it’s a lot more reasonable than you may think, service pers can currently experience two flights for £36, which will create more memories than a round of beers at the pub! I hope you are tempted, so have a look at the last two issues of Mainpoint for more details of what we achieved last year, and what YOU could be a part of this year, and check out our website at www.chilternsgc.co.uk

Following on from our successful winter expedition to Aboyne, Scotland, we have a spring expedition to the Black Mountains in Monmouthshire Wales to look forward to. Our training programme is progressing well with our junior members giving a presentation to the December AGM of the Joystick Club, a charity based at White Waltham, whose aim is to introduce and encourage youngsters into the world of aviation, giving bursaries towards flying fees. One of those juniors, Dan, used that training to great effect, achieving his first solo flight on 4 Feb. Two other members, Arthur and Tony, have passed their Bronze flight test, to become qualified glider pilots. Well done all.