Everything you need to know about getting to the Midland Gliding Club can be found on the main website at www.midlandgliding.club.
The key details are as follows:
Post Code: SY6 6TA
Grid Ref: SO403915
X: 340300m Y: 291500m
Lat: 52:31:07N (52.5186) Lon: 2:52:51W (-2.8808)
What Three Words: sheets.curly.slung
click here to see where we are within the region.
click here to see where we are on a local map.
click here to see location on OS map.
click here to see our location from the air (north of Shobdon airfield and south east of Welshpool airfield).
Considered as one of the very best sites in the country, with stunning views into Wales, the five-mile-long ridge facing the prevailing westerly winds is ideal for extended fight times when thermals do not oblige.
Our courses are led by professionals supported by experienced instructors. Our accommodation and catering are probably the best in the gliding movement and our bar is stocked with the finest Shropshire beers.
You are seeing this page because you have registered to attend one of our professional courses. Well done, you made the right choice. Read on to find key information.
Courses
Whether you are spreading your wings for the first time, looking for a different holiday experience, or have a specific flying goal in mind, our courses are for pilots of all levels.
We appreciate that everyone has different requirements. Our instructors will tailor a flying program designed to give you the best chance of making progress during your stay with us.
To speed up your progress, we use a combination of:
- Daily briefings, outlining the plan for the day
- Ground School, to cover the essential theory
- Simulator, to lay the foundations of a new skill or to practice flying a task
- Gliders and Motor Glider, to perfect skills and bring them all together in the air
Over the decades the Club has been offering courses, the maximum number of students to instructor ratio has reduced. There is a balance between the ability to progress, the amount of flying, running the airfield and the price. This year we are offering:
- Standard – the maximum student-to-instructor ratio of 4:1
- Premium – the maximum student-to-instructor ratio of 3:1.
- Solo – share a single seater with one other. The Solo course is for solo pilots who want to use the week to fly alone (aside from a couple of check fights at the start of the week), to hone their skills or just for the sheer pleasure of it.
Our courses include three months’ membership of the Club, so you can come and fly at membership rates during the three months after your course ends. If you decide to join as a Full Member by the end of the course you will receive a substantial discount on the fee.
Membership for the year up to the following March 31st is charged on a sliding scale based on the number of months left to the end of the membership year.
What should I wear?
The Long Mynd has an unpredictable climate all of its own so best to be prepared for almost anyhting, especially at the beginning and end of the season.
You will definately need:
- Some sort of hat to protect you from the sun when flying and to keep it out of your eyes. We do not allow baseball type caps because the brim is too long for good lookout, especially above. Bucket or beannie hats are ideal. You can buy one from the club office if you don’t already have one. A woolly hat is good on colder days
- Sunglasses even on dull days
- A sweater and probably a lightweight jacket
- Outdoor clothes in case it rains
- Sturdy shoes or boots and warm socks
- Trousers if you don’t normally wear them
- Sunscreen
- Antihystemine tablets if you suffer from pollen allergies
Where can I stay?
There are hotels, bed and breakfast establishments and other places within easy reach of the gliding club, but the best bet is to stay on site.
We have a number of well appointed rooms, some with en-suite facilities, that can be booked for an additional fee.
Bed linen and duvets are provided but you should bring your own towels and toiletries.
If you want to bring a caravan or mobile home we have dedicated parking with electric hook ups.
We can even accomodate tents in our dedicated camping area.
See the main website for details or telephone the office to ask what is available during your stay.
Can I get food and drinks on site?
We have professional caters who provide very high quality food and drinks for purchase in the club house.
The prices are more than competitive and the quality is better than most restaurants let alone other gliding clubs. The dining area is open from brealfast to late. Currenty it only takes cash so make sure you bring sufficient with you.
In the evening, after a good meal, you can retire to our comfortable bar for a drink or two and to share your experiences of the day with other course members. Glider pilots are very good at chewing the fat!
Are there any restrictions?
Not really except that our gliders have weight limitations. Due to the flight limitations of our gliders, there is a weight limit of 16 stones (102 kilos) and a height limit of 6’3″ (1.9m).
There is no upper age limit but you must be able to get into and out of the glider.
There is no minimum age to fly P2 in a glider and you can legally solo at 14 years.
If you are under 16 years old we will require a parental consent form to be signed.
If in any doubt please contact the office for advice.
How do I find my flight log?
All flights are logged on our Flight Management System called Aerolog. To connect click here. If you are logging in for the first time you need to set up your login details. Follow the on screen instructions at the bottom of the login panel.
What should I do if I have further questions?
Contact the office, by email at office@midlandgliding.club, or check the website by clicking on the links at the top of the page or telephone the office on 01588 650 206