First Club 750km Cross Country, Honourable Mention for Gerry’s 730km, and Rory’s Silver C Duration

Club History, Club News /

The fantastic soaring weather on Saturday led to some amazing flights around the UK, and we were delighted to record the first successful 750km task from Sandhill Farm.  Tim and Alan achieved this flying the ASH25 (see above). Gerry attempted the same task in his Ventus B, and achieved a very impressive 730km before being forced to abort the task at the end of the soaring day, and landing at Hinton-in-the-Hedges. And finally, congratulations to Rory, who achieved his Silver 5-hour duration and Silver height gain in the club ASW-15.

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A Family Affair

Introductory Flights /

It was great fun to meet Callum, Jessica, and their extended family when Callum came for a trial lesson at the weekend.  There to watch were their new baby daughter and both sets of grandparents.  We hope to see Callum again in the next few weeks using his temporary membership for another flight or two, and Jessica also sounded very interested in having a flight in the future.  We’d love to see you both!

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Honouring Les Clark for Outstanding Service to Youth Aviation

Club News, Junior Flying /

The Scouts today announced the recognition of Les Clark, Chair of the Vale of White Horse Gliding Centre (VOWHGC) and long‑standing member of the British Gliding Association (BGA), for his exceptional contribution to youth aviation over more than two decades.Les first became involved with Scout aviation activities over twenty years ago

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Fairford Airspace & Aerotow Noise

Club News /

On 30th March 2026, a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued affecting flying around Sandhill Farm and the wider area.  (NOTAMs are alerts and mandatory changes to airspace, and typically warn of activities such as low-flying or new obstacles, as well as activating or deactivating existing danger zones;  for example, when military parachute jumping is taking place,.  It can also impose temporary new airspace limitations) This specific NOTAM imposed a new Transponder Mandatory Zone (TMZ) in a radius around RAF Fairford, to coincide with its use by American heavy bombers involved in the conflict between the USA and Iran. 

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Ice-creams-in-the-cockpit

Ice-creams Welcome on Sweltering Gliding Day

Club News /

It was another of the recent very hot days at the Vale of White Horse Gliding Centre today.  ON days like this, pilots try to avoid too much time waiting in the cockpit, but occasionally it doesn’t work out quite as planed – maybe the tug stops to refuel, or there’s an issue with the tow rope, or another launch needs to take priority for some reason.   Thankfully we get regular visits from our local ice-cream van on flying days, and pilots trapped in their planes can usually rely on another club member to deliver an ice-cream to the needy (in this case me – thanks Adrian!)

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Congratulation to Ian on His New ASW19

Club News /

A busy day today, lots of launches, including club member Ian’s first flight in his newly acquired ASW 19, which looked in beautiful condition after its years of care by another of our club members who sold it on to Ian.  The club now has a handful of private owners looking forward to our cross-country task week starting on 15th June 2026 –  fingers crossed for some decent soaring weather to put the 19 and our other gliders (and their pilots) through their paces.

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Congratulations to Gary on Going Solo

First Solos /

Congratulations to Gary on his first solo flight today.  Gary was a new member during the soaring season last year – we think it takes around 20 launches to be competent to fly solo.  Thanks, Gary,  for providing the traditional celebration beers for club members. If you think you’d like to try gliding, why not book a trial lesson at the gliding centre, or if you’d like to train to get your sailplane licence with us, fill out a membership form, or get in touch through our contacts page

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sunset at VoWHGC

Progress On Getting Our OGN Ground Station Installed

Club News /

Work is progressing on getting the Sandhill Farm Open Glider Network (OGN) ground station operational.  Yesterday, Mark (that’s me!) installed our PoE switch in the clubhouse and ran a direct burial Ethernet cable out to the main hangar.  We plan to position the antennas for the system on a mast mounted at the front of this hangar, and tests yesterday indicate we should get good line-of-sight across the whole airfield from this position.  Once the system’s up and running, we should be able to log

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Thanks for Making The Effort to Fly With Us, Nicki

Introductory Flights /

Last Saturday was another crisp, clear flying day at the Vale of White Horse Gliding Centre, and we were very happy that Nicki was able to fly with us, especially given she and her husband had to make a long drive from the South Coast to get to the airfield.  Nicki has a chequered history when it comes to flying experiences, with some failed attempts over the years to go up in a hot air balloon.

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