Cross Country

We offer two levels of course based on experience and aimed at extending your cross-country flying ability and confidence, enabling you to develop after your course and really enjoy your flying.

Retrieves are by mutual arrangement between course members so no crew is required unless you want to bring one along, but as a minimum you require a car capable of towing.

Flying consists of two-seat and single-seat cross-country flights, some of the single-seat flying may consist of 'lead-and-follow' type training but this depends on experience, glider type, numbers etc.

We plan to fly cross-country on every day that it is soarable but if weather dictates it may be prudent to remain local to the airfield, this can still prove very useful and educational for the budding pundit as much can be learned whilst local soaring.

The two stages of cross-country course available are:-

Novice level

For the pilot who has completed silver distance but precious little else. If your 50km flight seemed a bit of an anti-climax and has left you hungry for more then this course will point you in the right direction and set you on your way. Aimed at the 100km Diploma and remaining parts of the Silver badge, progress will be fast and rewarding given good weather. You will be tasked within your capabilities and given all the encouragement and support you need to attain your goals.

Pundit level

After the 300km flight it can seem like a enormous jump to the 500. If it takes you more than five hours to complete a 300km flight then you need help to show you how to fly fast enough to complete a longer task in the relatively short English day.

We can improve our speeds in any soarable weather, it does not have to be the 'day of days' to practice for the big one.

A number of shorter flights in not so good weather can be fantastic for the confidence and really highlights where your faults lie and what to do about them. If the big day does arrive during your course we will be ready to take advantage of it.

Whenever you are flying on the course you will be in contact with an instructor who is ready to help. In the two-seater you will receive valuable one-to-one training. In single-seaters you only have to call on the radio and an instructor will be there to help and give confidence just when you need it most.

In any case you will not be asked to do anything that your instructor does not think is possible. It may appear to be out of reach, but with a little faith and determination, a dash of luck and a lot of fun, you'll amaze yourself.

See Club Calendar for dates of courses