Bills Mile Hile Gliding Christmas Present

Tags: Flying gliding glider planes fly

For Christmas I bought Bill a voucher for the “Mile High Gliding Voucher” from Trent Valley Glider Club, Kirton Lindsey Nr Lincoln.

He has been waiting for a clear day with good weather all summer and finally on Bank holiday weekend in August he finally went to club to get his flight.

Everyone was incredibly helpful, we just turned up and showed them our voucher, unfortunately on the Sunday the tug plane was being used, he were offered a winch launch but that would not go as high. But quite happy he waited until the next day when the plane would be available for the tow launch.

It turned out to be quite a family outing with Bills parents, uncle, aunt and niece all coming to watch. Again we were all made to feel very welcome and seating and coffee was provided for everyone next to the runway. Club members were more than happy to show you the planes and talk you through everything.

Bill went up first, I managed to get a short video of his glider being towed by the plane and launched. After an hours flight Bill came back to earth grinning from ear to ear, completely exhilarated having thoroughly enjoyed himself both a passenger and pilot whilst gliding at around 5000 feet for just over an hour.

When Patrick our pilot asked who else wants ago, I jumped at the chance and shot off to get strapped in for my flight. Now I am not a natural flyer, I hate turbulence and I am not fond of heights so this was exiting and scary for me. There was some turbulence when we took off, check out me cockpit video of my launch below, but once we released to tow plane it was just wonderful.

I got to handle the controls which scared me to death but what a feeling to be handling the glider at 2500 feet, all I can say is wooowwwww, you godda try it.

Bills voucher and my first flight entitle us to 30 days club membership, which means that at any time in the next month, weather permitting, we can go to the club and fly at the substantially reduced rate of £7.50 for a winch launch and £24 for an Aerotow. An absolute bargain for the experience.

We are going back next week if the weather is good so we can try the winch launch and Bill’s parents are going to give the Aerotow a go so it looks like Gliding as a Christmas present was most definitely a success.

Further details on the Trent Valley club can be found at Trent Valley Gliding Club

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