How Gliding Clubs Operate

Most clubs are operated by the members themselves. These clubs generally operate on a "first come, first served" basis for flying. Part of the involvement with gliding means preparing the aircraft for flying, plus the ground equipment needed. On arrival in the morning, members can be seen busy in opening the hangar doors, cleaning the aircraft and thoroughly inspecting them before flight. The winches or tow planes must be checked over, oiled and fuelled, and the control van brought out. Radios are checked and batteries installed.

When everything is ready, the aircraft are towed or pushed to the take-off point - depending on the wind direction. During the day, when not flying, members will assist in positioning the aircraft for launch, hooking on the cables and signalling the winch or tug. More experiences members will operate the winch , and licenced pilots fly the tug aircraft.

Often other members will be busy in the workshop, perhaps performing maintenance on aircraft, or other equipment. Some will be carrying out other more mundain tasks such as cleaning the clubrooms, or painting, mowing the lawns or watering the gardens. There is always something to be done, and by carrying out all work within the club, costs of flying are kept to an affordable level. If the work to be done builds up, occasionally a day may be spent on a working bee, especially if a major task has to be undertaken - such as building extensions or maintaining the runways.

At the end of the day's operations, the aircraft are hangared, the equipment stowed, batteries placed on charge, and so on. After this members attend 'de-briefing' in the clubhouse. It can be a long day!

Most clubs will have a club-house or bunk-house where members can sleep overnight. Many have caravan parks or camping sites for members with vans or tents.

When going gliding: don't wear you best clothes! You will also need to remember protection from the sun, and in the summer bring adequate drinking water.

Don't forget the aerogard !

Teamwork

Although much of the flying done is alone, solo in a single-seat sailplane, gliding is essentially a team sport. Sailplanes are graceful in the air, but helpless on the ground.

It requires a team of people to launch the glider: some-one to drive the winch or fly the tug aeroplane, several at the launch point to run the wingtip of the glider, record flight times, and retrieve gliders as they land.

Pilots are expected to help launch their fellow members, as the others help to launch them.

Many club members will give up their time in other areas to help with the club's operations. Instructors and airworthiness engineers usually give their time voluntarily. Those with mechanical or engineering skills may find themselves involved with design or modification of club equipment. Those with organisational skills may find themselves on the club committee.

In addition to flying skills, gliding club members will find opportunities to develop organisational, technical and personal skills within the club.