There are no age restrictions other than you cannot fly solo until you are 16.

You need to meet some minimum medical requirements however you can continue to fly solo long past your retirement age.

With aerotow launching (as we do at Shobdon), the average pilot will take perhaps 35 or 45 instructional flights before flying solo.

In this period we teach you how to maintain the glider in flight using thermals, ridge lift and mountain wave.

The firstmost important objective is to teach you to be a safe pilot. You will only fly solo once your instructor is confident that you fly safely

Traditionally there has been no "Glider Pilot Licence" in the UK however this is soon to change with the progress of EU legislation

Once you fly solo you can apply to the British Gliding Association for your "Gliding Certificate". This comes as a small book. The book contains pages to record your gliding progress through the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond "Badges".

The "Bronze Badge" requires a minumum of two solo flights, each of one hour duration. There are multiple choice question papers and a flying

check with the Chief Flying Instructor

"Silver" includes a 5 hour duration flignt, a 50km cross country flight and a height gain of 1,000 meters.

The "Gold Badge" requires the Silver Duration, a 300km cross country flight and a height gain of 3,000 meters.

The three "Diamonds" are a 300km "Goal" flight around a pre-declared route, a 500km free distance and a heigh gain of 5,000 meters.

The "Silver Badge" is an internationally recognized qualification which allows you to fly abroad. You can train for the BGA's Instructor qualifications and obtain dispensations for the requirements of the NPPL powered light aircraft pilot's licence.

We rota an instructor on Saturdays every weekend. Flying starts at around 11 am. however you are very welcome to come and help us get the aircraft out of the hangar before this time.

No booking is necessary but it can reduce waiting if you forewarn Les Kaye that you are planning to come.