What is Gliding?

Gliding involves flying unpowered aircraft using the same naturally occurring currents of air that birds use to fly. Using these invisible currents of air, you can soar to great heights and travel great distances around the country at average speeds of over 100 miles per hour. Gliders are similar to normal aircraft, just without an engine. We exploit rising air in the atmosphere to stay airborne – at least that’s the idea! People glide for many reasons. Some even use it as a stepping stone to a full pilot's licence.

If you are interested in joining, we recommend you first purchase an introductory Flight to get a taste of gliding without the commitment of buying a full membership.

Introductory Flights

Sign up for an introductory flight with SUGC and get to experience an exhilarating winch launch and amazing views from the air. You will even get the chance to control the aircraft yourself! Anyone can sign up to try out the cheapest way of flying, and it’s also a great opportunity to see how a gliding airfield works and operates. You will be flying with a fully qualified instructor in a two-seater aircraft.

How we operate:

Transport: We go gliding at Shalbourne Gliding Club (which is about 45min drive from Southampton) and it is only realistically accessible by car. The club provides transport and can take up to 5 people on a given day.

Days and Weather: Shalbourne Gliding Club is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Members submit their availability on our website and if they get selected, and if the weather conditions allow it, confirmation emails are sent on Thursday or Friday.

On the day: Gliding is a whole-day event. We leave Southampton at 8 am and get to the airfield around 9.00 am. Usually, the first two hours are spent preparing the field and checking the gliders. Then we can go gliding, which could last until 7:00 pm (if the weather is good). During the day we are kept busy by helping to run the airfield - an airfield is not a place where hands go in pockets. Usually, pre-solo members would get 3 flights on the day, with each flight lasting about 15 minutes. Although, on a good day, a flight could last up to an hour. Finally, the last hour is spent putting the gliders and airfield equipment away. Shalbourne Gliding Club provides instructors who are fully qualified by the British Gliding Association.

Safety: Gliding has an excellent safety record compared to other extreme sports. As a club, we like to maintain this safety record so please consider the following before you come flying with us: 

• Alcohol: Please do not any drink alcohol at least 12 hours before you are due to fly.
• Weight: For safety, all gliders have an upper limit for their pilots. This means we unfortunately cannot take anyone flying if they weigh over 103kg.
• Airfield: Please remember that this is an active airfield and be aware of your surroundings. Most importantly always check with somebody before walking or driving across the airfield.

Memberships: We recommend to purchase an introductory flight before joining as a full member unless you are sure you want to engage with the club. See the membership tab for more information on memberships.

Costs: Members pay a launch fee and minute fees for each of their flights. We aim to keep costs low, and a day of flying will typically cost around £25-£35. These costs include the cost of the instructor and the training. Finally, we ask attendees to contribute £5 towards the fuel costs of the driver. 

Competitions and Trips: Every airfield has slightly different procedures, might have types of gliders we've not flown before, and different local geography like hills and mountains to fly alongside! We organise regular trips around the country to learn as much as we can about gliding, and have lots of fun doing it! UK Junior Gliding events over the winter and the inter-university gliding competition in the summer are always a great way to meet other pilots our age, socialise, and fly together. We even won the 2023 Interunis, so will be hosting it ourselves in the summer of 2025!

If you have any questions don't hesitate to email us at: gliding@soton.ac.uk or find us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/sugliding

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The Committee

All clubs and societies within the Students' Union are run entirely by students. The student committee for Gliding this year are: