Gliding in Colchester

What Can I Expect

Learn all about gliding in Colchester at this Essex and Suffolk gliding club! Perfectly placed in the middle of the Colchester/Braintree/Sudbury triangle, this gliding club based out of Wormingford Airfield offers top-notch glider instruction in a modern fleet of aircraft, all launched by winch.

Several things stand out when you visit this Wormingford gliding club. The place is really well-kept and has excellent facilities. The people are friendly and welcoming, with an 'open door' policy during operational gliding hours. And the fleet of gliders is well-maintained and ready to take you into the skies above Colchester.

As you'll see, it's a bustling place over at Wormingford, with anything up to 35 privately-owned gliders and an impressive eight club-owned gliders in residence.

Equally impressive is the dedication of the members. No-one is employed here, it's all about that passion for gliding with a rota for duties such as daily inspections, flying log, launch marshalling, cable tow out vehicle driving and winch driving. This is literally the beating heart of this BGA accredited Wormingford club and you'll be able to observe how it all works when you visit.

We've got a whole range of gliding sessions for you at this base near Colchester. The Gliding Experience is the introductory one, which gives you one winch launch. The Trial Lesson offers you more time in the air, over one or two flights. Budding glider pilots will love the Mini Course, with a combined time of up to one hour in the air, spread over several flights in just one day.

And as well as learning all the technical stuff about gliding, you'll see the area around Colchester from the air, including the lovely Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and that rolling Suffolk arable countryside the area is known for. Go gliding near Colchester and you'll be combining an enthusiastic club welcome, with some lovely aerial views as you soar.

What's Included

• Enjoy a flying experience in a modern glider
• You will be greeted by a club member who will explain the  club facilities
• Receive a safety briefing and sign a medical declaration before flying
• Choose from the following voucher options

Gliding Experience

• One flight of 8-12 minutes, winch launch
• One day club membership

Trial Lesson

• 1-2 flights of up to 20 minutes, winch launches
• 3 months club membership

Gliding Mini Course

• 3-6 flights with around 1 hour of total flying time, winch launches
• 3 months club membership
• Additional briefings and classroom tuition

When Is It Available

• The club is open for voucher flights from the beginning of April to the end of October
• Flying days are Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays along with one Monday per month
• Dates and times are subject to availability
• Pre-booking is essential and the more notice you are able to give, the more likely you are to be able to secure the date of your choice
• You will need to take your voucher with you on the day.  Once booked you are subject to the terms and conditions of the operator, including cancellation
• Flying is weather dependant and participants should telephone the club before setting off on the day

Suitable For

• Minimum age 14
• Under 18s must be accompanied and supervised at all times by a responsible adult when on the airfield
• Height restrictions: minimum 5ft, maximim 6ft 6ins
• Weight restrictions: minimum 4 stone 4lbs (27kg), maximum 16 stone 4lbs (103kg)

Spectators

• Spectators are welcome to come along and watch

Anything Else

• Sun glasses are advised as it can be very bright under the canopy
• Suitable clothing to allow climbing in and out of the cockpit should be worn along with practical footwear such as trainers
• Layers are recommended as it can be cold on the airfield