Have a Go
Whether you want to train to be a fully-qualified pilot, or just want to enjoy an unforgettable one-off experience, Bowland Forest Gliding Club can provide all you need in a friendly and welcoming environment.
There are two ways you can have a go at flying with us – buy a voucher on-line or arrange a group event.
Individual vouchers and non-youth group events include 12 weeks temporary membership of the club. This enables you to free instruction alongside regular members at member rates whenever we are flying.
What to Expect
Gliding is weather dependent so you will need to be flexible about when we can fly you. Assuming the weather is suitable, we will:
• meet you on arrival at the airfield,
• give you a safety briefing,
• take you to the launch point and introduce you to the instructors
• take you through the pre-flight safety procedures (including giving you a parachute),
• take off using a winch launch and climb to around 1,100 feet in half a minute,
• give you a flight of around 20 minutes, or two shorter flights depending on conditions,
• give you the chance to take the controls if it safe to do so,
• land you safely at around 60 miles per hour.
• debrief you after the flight and give you a certificate.
• Please note that the nature of gliding means that you may be required to hang around for your turn.
• Please bring layered clothing suitable for a cold, windy airfield, and stout shoes.
Age Restrictions
• The minimum age for flying in a glider is 13 years of age.
• There is no upper age limit to gliding
• Parental consent must be provided for persons under the age of 18 years.
• All persons under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of their stay on site.
Height and Weight Restrictions
• Glider cockpits are limited in size and the weight a glider can carry is regulated.
• We can safely fly people who are:
Between 4’6” – 6’2” (1.37m – 1.88m) in height – Flying taller people is possible but depends on body shape
Weigh between 7 stone 2 lb – 16 stone 3 lb (45kg – 103kg)
• Please don’t be offended if we ask to measure or weigh you before you fly. This is for your safety as well as ours.
Health Restrictions
• The standard of health required for flying in a glider is basically the same as the level of fitness required to drive a car.
• We will not fly anyone who we believe is under the effects of drugs or alcohol.
• For your safety and ours, we will ask you to sign a declaration before you fly about any medical or other conditions you have which:
• You may create or lead to a dangerous situation in flight, especially blackouts of any cause (e.g. epilepsy, severe head injury, recurrent fainting or giddiness, high blood pressure, angina, coronary heart disease, insulin dependent diabetes etc.).
• May cause difficulty whilst flying (e.g. bronchitis, asthma, sinus disease, ear disease, defective eyesight, migraine, diabetes of any form, kidney stones, psychiatric disorders, severe motion or travel sickness or any condition requiring drugs of any kind)
• Our aim is to be as inclusive as possible. If you have any of the above conditions, or if you have a physical disability which may make it difficult for you to get in and out of the glider, please discuss this with us before you come to fly.
• We reserve the right to refuse to fly anyone where safety may be compromised.
Risks
• Gliding is an adventurous air sport and as such does carry certain risk.
• It is not as safe as flying in a commercial airliner but around half a million glider flights happen safely in the UK each year.
• The main risks and mitigations are:
Operational factors including the weather – we do not fly unless the weather and other operational requirements are suitable.
Hazardous areas, including the launch and landing areas – active supervision and control are provided whenever flying is in progress.
Other aircraft – our instructors are trained to maintain an active lookout and our gliders are fitted with proximity alarms to help with this. Passengers are asked to point out other aircraft they might notice during a flight.
Need to bail out – although the risk of this is very low, passengers and student pilots are shown how to jettison a canopy, how to bail out and how to use the parachute provided.
Lack of understanding – our instructors are well trained and approved by the British Gliding Association. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask.
Flying under pressure – we want you to enjoy your flying experience. Please do not feel pressured by anyone to fly and quietly let us know if you need assistance with this.
Temporary Membership Vouchers and groups bookings (other than youth groups) include three months temporary membership of the club.
This enables you to come back and fly with us at member rates.
Alongside flying, temporary members can also get involved in other aspects of what it takes to operate an airfield.
To use the temporary membership, you will need to deposit £25 in to the club’s bank account giving your name as the reference so that we can set you up on our flying system
Our flying system does not allow people to fly without credit in their account so you will need to maintain a positive balance in the account during your membership.
If you decide during the three month period that flying is not for you, any balance left in your account will be refunded on request.
Our account is Bowland Forest Gliding Club Ltd, sort code 40-42-30, account 220 365 25
Once the above is done, just turn up when we are flying and make yourself known. Until you are familiar with the procedures, you are welcome to phone up before leaving home to make sure we are flying if you wish (01995 612 67).
There are usually people around from about 8.30 am on flying days. If you can’t find anyone in the clubhouse, we are likely to be outside in the area in front of the hangar preparing the gliders, tractors and winch. Just come and find us and join in.
Members fly in order of a flying list for the day so when you arrive, the first thing you should do is put your name on the flying list which will be in the club house or the red and white launch point van. The earlier you arrive, the higher up the flying list you will be and the sooner you will fly.
We look forward to seeing you…………………