WHAT IS A GLIDER, OR SAILPLANE?

A glider is a high performance motorless aircraft which is designed to have a very flat glide angle. This is expressed as a ratio - for example modern gliders are being made with a glide ratio of up to 60:1. In other words in still air it can fly 60 meters forward and only lose one meter in altitude. By contrast, an average light powered plane has a glide ratio of about 10:1 with engine off. The average glider flying today has a glide ratio of about 30:1 to 45:1.

HOW MUCH CONTROL DO YOU HAVE OVER A GLIDER?

The glider has conventional directional controls just like any other aeroplane, and the pilot has complete control over where he is going. The motive power however, is provided by gravity, just like a car coasting down-hill. In the glider, the pilot has control over the steepness of the “hill”, and can point the nose down to go faster, or up to go slower. If the nose is raised too much, the speed will reduce to the point where there is not enough airflow over the wings to generate lift, and the glider will “stall”. This can be corrected by promptly lowering the nose. To keep flying, the nose is always pointing slightly down.

HOW DOES THE GLIDER STAY UP WITHOUT AN ENGINE?

Initially, the glider is towed up to about 2000 ft by a power plane, called a “tug” or launched by a ground based winch. When the desired height is reached the glider pilot pulls a knob, and the rope is disconnected from the nose of the glider. Now the really skilled part begins. The glider pilot must now start to search for a thermal or other form of lift. This is a rising column of air, which has been warmed by contact with the ground, heated by the sun. An instrument known as a variometer helps to show the pilot when he is in a thermal, and he now circles within it so as to gain altitude. Remember that the nose of the glider is always pointing slightly down, and that it is always descending within the mass of air that surrounds it. However, if that mass of air is going up away from the ground at a faster rate than the glider is going down within it, the end result will be that the glider gains altitude relative to the earth below. This gain of altitude can be as much as 1000 ft per min. or more, depending on conditions. It's great fun and challenging!

The glider gains altitude by using a thermal, then sets off in the desired direction. In doing so it will slowly lose altitude. Before too much height is lost, the pilot will seek another thermal, gain height in it, then set off on course yet again. So it is by a combination of thermalling and straight flight that long distances can be covered. 

ARE GLIDERS VERY STRONG?

Glider construction is to very stringent strength standards and are also maintained to the highest standards specified by the Commonwealth Aviation Safety Authority. Structural failure is virtually non-existent in a properly maintained glider. In fact, gliders can perform manoeuvres that are totally forbidden in the average powered plane, for fear that the plane would be over-stressed.

HOW FAST CAN A GLIDER GO?
Some modern gliders have a top speed of up to about 250 kph. A normal thermalling speed is about 70 - 90 kph.

HOW HIGH CAN YOU GO IN A GLIDER?

Thermals can go as high as 14,000 ft or more. Above 10,000 ft it is compulsory to use oxygen. In certain conditions, known as wave flying, heights of 30,000 ft., or more, are achieved. The record is 14,938 metres. (48,400 ft).

HOW FAR CAN A GLIDER FLY?
In the summer, flights of 300 kms. are commonplace. Keen pilots frequently make flights of 500 - 700 kms. The longest recorded flight is 2,050 kms. (1,275 miles).

HOW LONG CAN A GLIDER STAY UP?
On a really good day during summer, flights of around 8 hours are possible, provided you have the skill and patience. 

Most pilots will tell you that they feel safer “up there” than driving on our roads. There is the occasional mishap, but statistically, gliding has been shown to be about as safe as normal airline flying. A glider can quite easily be landed in a smallish farming paddock, and all pilots routinely practise such landings as part of their continuing training. Of course there is no room for the idiot or the “smart Alec”. The pilot is expected to be a responsibly minded person.

IS GLIDING SCARY?

Not really! Even people who have a funny feeling when looking down from a tall building, do not have the same feeling in a glider or light power plane. Of course, gliding can be a hair-raising experience if you are stupid enough. So can motoring! Normally gliding is a delightfully serene experience, as any pilot will tell. 

HOW HARD IS IT TO LEARN GLIDING?

Most people, both male and female, can learn gliding if they really want to. The main requirement is to be in good health and to have normally good reflexes. If you are an alert and competent car driver, you will most probably be able to learn gliding.

HOW OLD MUST ONE BE?

The lower age limit is fifteen, and there is no upper limit, as long as you are in good health. There are hundreds of pilots well into their sixties, and some well over seventy.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO LEARN?

This will depend upon how long you take. Younger pilots tend to learn quickly. Costs vary correspondingly from $800 up, to reach solo stage. After solo, there are many more goals attainable to keep you interested and challenged.

HOW CAN I GET STARTED?

Air Experiance Flights in a dual seat training glider are available. These cost $100 for a 2000ft AGL launch giving a flight time of 20-30 mins. Once you are convinced gliding is for you membership of the club entitles you to receive free tuition from our Nation Gliding School trained instructors. They will take you through an approved course covering all facets of glider flight to solo standard. From there further training is available to develop cross country, competition, instructional and aircraft maintenance skills as your interests and aptitude allows.