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All new members are issued with a copy of "Cloudbase – A Reference Manual for Glider Pilots", a superb book which covers most aspects of gliding. This book is not only aimed at newcomers to gliding, but also experienced pilots who are new to the Worcester region.
| At the Cape Gliding Club, teaching people of all ages is a speciality. Costs are kept to a minimum throughout by qualified instructors giving their time and expertise absolutely free of charge. The philosophy is that instructors all learned for free, so it is only fair to pass on this knowledge in the same tradition. Also, by making gliding as affordable as possible, more people will be encouraged to take it up as a sport and hobby. Prospective student pilots can visit the airfield and become members immediately, receiving their first lesson on the same day. For the costs, please view the "Rates" page. Student pilots can either train at weekends or on one of our courses, which are usually run in April and September. These courses provide a helpful “kick start” to the practical training syllabus. It is however not essential that students attend courses, but it will take slightly longer to get to the solo pilot stage when learning at weekends only. There is no pre-set number of flights or hours before you reach solo stage, as much depends on age, aptitude, attitude, and any prior flying experience. Model flying and even computer flight simulator programs are of benefit. A typical student without prior experience should solo after about 30 to 50 dual instructional flights, using aerotow launches. If winch launching is to be used, the number of flights to solo could increase dramatically, as the flights are of much shorter duration.
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 John de Beer goes solo on the April 2004 Ab Initio Course |
In parallel with the practical syllabus, theory lectures are given in the subjects in which students are required to pass exams. These are Airmanship, Instruments, Meteorology, Aerodynamics and Cross-Country Flight. These subjects are covered in the Club’s own gliding manual, “Cloudbase”, which is issued to all new members. In addition to this there are several excellent gliding instructional books available commercially.
Should you wish to join one of our courses, please check out the details by viewing the "Courses" page. If you have questions (we are sure you will have) please contact one of the people listed on the "Contact Us" page. They will be only too happy to talk to you about gliding and provide you with more details. |
