News about general club activities, such as changes at the club, elections, new facilities, open days, etc
It’s been another busy weekend at the Vale of White Horse Gliding Centre, with 5 introductory flights, good soaring conditions on both days, and an intensive period of work to add the final touches to the club’s Pawnee tug plane. We believe this is the first Pawnee to be back in service in the UK, following last year’s directive
Another Busy Day at VoWHGC Read More »
The gliding centre’s main tug for aerotowing is a Pawnee, a type of aircraft originally designed for crop spraying, and built from the late 1950’s ’til around 1981. Because of its powerful engine, it’s a popular choice as a tug plane with gliding clubs around the world. A recent Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandated inspection of the wing spars to ensure there was no hidden corrosion present, and until this work was carried out we had to ground our Pawnee and use an alternative tug plane instead. As well as a one-off inspection, we needed to fit new removeable inspection panels on the underside of the wings, so that the wing spars can be inspected regularly in line with BGA guidance in future. Last weekend, all the necessary work was completed, and it was time to get enough people together in the hangar to get the wings back on the aircraft, ready for its final inspection and return to service. pawnee03 pawnee02 pawnee04 pawnee05 pawnee07 pawnee08
Our Pawnee Tug Back on Duty (Almost!) Read More »
One of our relatively new members, Rory, went solo on Saturday 31 May 2025. Rory only needed around 20 aerotow flights to achieve the skills necessary to go solo, but did bring some hours of powered flying with him when he started gliding. Congratulations Rory!
Congratulations to Rory Harris on His First Glider Solo Flight Read More »
We’re delighted to welcome Tomas Martensson to the Vale of White Horse Gliding Centre as a new flying member. Tomas is already a qualified glider pilot, so after a quick check flight with our Chief Flying Instructor, Al Stacey, on Saturday, he is able to fly club gliders. Whether you’re a complete novice to gliding, part-way through training to solo, or an experienced pilot, we’d be delighted to welcome you as a member at the club –
Welcome to New Club Member Tomas Martensson Read More »
One of our junior gliding members, Marco Vourla Nunez, went solo today in one of the club’s K13 training gliders. 15-year-old Marco only joined the Vale of White Horse Gliding Centre in February of this year, but had demonstrated he was ready to make his first solo flight today. After a well-executed ground run behind the tug plane, and an aerotow to 2000 feet, he executed some high-air manoeuvres, then a nice circuit and landing back at the airfield.
Congratulations to Marco on His First Glider Solo Flight Read More »
Today was another fantastic soaring day at the gliding centre just outside Swindon. This picture shows our visiting duty instructor Nick (seated), running the daily flying briefing ahead of the first launches. Many thanks to Nick for doing a great job on the day.
Another Strong Soaring Day, And Private Gliders Were Out Read More »
Many thanks to Mark for getting our new site up and running!
New website, well done Mark! Read More »
A new flying member joined Vale of White Horse Gliding Club today, Ryan Clifford. Ryan jumped straight in as a flying member, and had his first ever flight in a glider on the same day. If you’d like to learn to fly, or would like an experience flight to help you decide, you can follow both routes through our website
Welcome to New Club Member Ryan Clifford Read More »
We’ve got a guest tug for a few weeks while our usual Pawnee is out of action having some remedial work done. A bit chilly but well worth the effort to fly, with still and smooth conditions
Our Guest Tug Has Been Doing Good Work Read More »
A stunning view of the Wiltshire countryside in winter sun, taken by one of our club members at the Vale of White Horse Gliding Centre over the weekend. Our CFI Al commented
Winter flying at the Vale of White Horse Gliding Centre Read More »
