GLIDING
GLIDING
We have arranged several dates for this fantastic activity with Mendip Gliding Club.
Last year we booked several dates but were rained off, this activity is subject to weather conditions and each date will be confirmed/cancelled at the last hour.
This year we have booked five dates two just for our scouts and three for explorer scouts. If any get cancelled then scouts/explorers can attend any.
Dates
Tuesday 27th May
Thursday 26th June
Tuesday 1st July
Tuesday 22nd July
Thursday 24th July
The instructors are all fully qualified by the British Gliding Association (B.G.A.) and their ratings are subject to an annual check. The sessions will start at 6.00pm with a full safety briefing and flying usually starts at around 6.30pm. The gliders, German ASK13's, are two seaters and the club operate two of them. They are launched by a powerful winch, which gets them up to 1000 feet, or so which gives a duration of up to 15 minutes. This figure is entirely dependent on conditions and the average flight time over the season is around 8 minutes. Instructors normally offer their passengers an opportunity to take the controls at some time during their flight. (The gliders have dual controls).
There are minimum and maximum weight limits, the minimum weight can be adjusted by adding ballast, the maximum is around 16 stones, which shouldn't trouble us!
A club ruling is that pilots and passengers wear parachutes. The clubs minimum age limit is 12 years.
Each flyer will be required to complete a temporary membership form, which includes a parental consent statement for those under 18.
The cost for scouts up to 18 years old £12.50 while adults pay £25 this covers one flight each.
If you would like to take part then return the form with full payment. Parents are welcome to join us.
Places will be limited so first to return their form will get a place.
We hope to take a minibus and ask that you pay £1.50 to help cover fuel and hire charges. You can of course arrange your own transport.
To reach the air field, leave the M5 at Junction 22 (Burnham on Sea) and head towards Bristol on the A38. Stay on the A38 for about 5 miles until you reach Cross. Turn right onto the A371 (signed to Wells). Stay on the A371, bypassing Axbridge. Continue through Cheddar and after 1 mile arrive in Draycott. There is a brown tourist sign 'Gliding Club' pointing up the hill to your left. This turning is very easy to miss but is followed by the Red Lion pub, so if you pass the pub you have also missed the turning. The gliding club is on the left at the top of the (1 in 4) hill.