HISTORY

The Geelong Gliding Club Inc. was the first gliding club to be formed in Australia, established in Geelong in 1929. It operated for many years from the Belmont Common, then from Little River and other sites before making Bacchus Marsh its home.

AIRFIELD

The Bacchus Marsh Airfield is owned by the local shire, but operated by the Western Regions Sporting Aviation Group of which the Geelong Gliding Club is a founding member. The club also conducts a number of camps at various other sites during the year.

AIRCRAFT

The club operates a fleet of three training gliders and five modern single seaters of medium to high performance. Launches are provided by a winch, Piper Super Cub, or Pawnee, also owned by the club, and by other tug planes stationed at the airfield.

GLIDING FEDERATION of AUSTRALIA

Glider pilots do not require a licence to fly but they must be a member of a club affiliated to the Gliding Federation of Australia to legally fly or receive instruction in a glider in Australia. The government has delegated the responsibility for the administration of gliding to the GFA. The club arranges GFA membership for Provisional Members.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

The clubhouse next to the airfield is jointly owned and managed by the clubs using the airfield. Members can relax there after a day's flying. Catering and bar facilities are available and bunkroom style accommodation for members wishing to stay overnight is provided for a small fee.

TRAINING

This club is run entirely by voluntary effort which brings the pleasures of learning to fly within the reach of ordinary people young and old. Flying is taught by members of a panel of qualified instructors. The training program is designed to produce safe, competent pilots who display skill, initiative and good airmanship.

CERTIFICATES

The various levels of proficiency in gliding are recognised by certificates which are granted after completion of specified tests for duration, distance flown and height gained. These certificates are internationally recognised. Competitions are organised on a regional, national and international level. The Geelong Gliding Club has several competition pilots, two of whom represented Australia at the World Championships held at Benalla in January 1987 and one of these has represented Australia at other International competitions overseas.