Gliding
Welcome to SUGC. Whether you want to take up gliding as a serious hobby or just experience it once, no prior experience is required so we'd love to get you flying! We operate ride-shares to a friendly, volunteer-led, airfield about an hour away every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and meet on Thursday evenings for socials, classroom training, and member meetings. We also arrange as many visits as we can throughout the year to other airfields to meet new people, fly new gliders, and experience different types of flying. We engage in many gliding events nationwide, and compete in the annual inter-university competition which is always a blast! We really love our sport, and hope you will too. See you in the skies!
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
Photo Gallery
The Committee
All clubs and societies within the Students' Union are run entirely by students. The student committee for Gliding this year are:
Aircraft Officer
Captain
Ordinary Committee Member
Ordinary Committee Member
Ordinary Committee Member
Ordinary Committee Member
Ordinary Committee Member
Ordinary Committee Member
Secretary
Social Media Officer
Social Secretary
Treasurer
Vice Captain
Webmaster
Welfare and Inclusion Officer
Membership Information
These are the current membership fees offered by Gliding, although many clubs and societies offer a free period for new members to try out their activities.
| Name | Cost | Valid Period | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expression of Interest (2024-25) | FREE | 01/07/2024 - 30/06/2025 | SUGC aims to share the joy of flying with everyone. Use this membership to express your interest in joining as a full member! | |
| Annual Membership 2024-25 | £90.00 | 26/09/2024 - 26/09/2025 | One year's membership to SUGC. Join us for flying on Wednesdays and weekends, regular Thursday events, and even on trips around the UK! | |
| Reciprocal Membership Restricted to specific users | FREE | 01/09/2024 - 01/09/2025 | By committee arrangement only, for people already a member of another British Gliding Association club. Contact gliding@soton.ac.uk if this sounds like you. | |
| Trial Flight Payment Restricted to specific users | £65.00 | 01/10/2024 - 31/07/2025 | Once you're scheduled for a trial flight, you'll be invited to pay by purchasing this membership option. | |
| Annual Membership 2024-25 (50% Off) Restricted to specific users | £45.00 | 29/09/2024 - 26/09/2025 | After joining us for a trial flight, sign up as a full member and enjoy 50% off your purchase! | |
| Membership Waiting List | FREE | 22/10/2024 - 30/07/2025 | Use this membership to signify that you would like to purchase a full membership when one becomes available. You will be added to the membership waiting list and contacted when there is availability. Thank you for your patience. |
Products
Available products to purchase for Gliding
SUGC K-13 Glider Model
You know the worst part of being at home? Not being at the airfield! Bring a little piece of gliding into your room with this scale model of the classic and mighty workhorse that is the K-13. Detachable from the stand, but sadly it can't fly; just like you when you're not at the airfield.
Delivery by arrangement when when you come to the airfield or happy to meet on campus or something.
BGA Student Pilot Manual
A helpful guide to your pre-solo training.
Constitution
All SUSU clubs & societies must have a Constitution which governs how they run
Download ConstitutionHealth & Safety
All clubs & societies are required to risk assess their activity to ensure it is carried out in a safe manner for members. Current risk assessments for Gliding are available to view below
Upcoming Events
Check out our upcoming events below: