No-one really likes waking up on a Sunday, but gliding makes getting up early worth it. I got up at 7:30 and by 8:15 we were out the door. We were going to the lizard which meant 2hours of really bad songs in the car. I hadn’t been gliding before so was anticipating going up a lot. I had flown in a powered plane before but I had been told that gliding was a totally different experience.

When we got there we went straight into a small room to watch the safety video. It’s an old ten minute film but it’s really essential to see. After the video we were weighed to see where we have to sit. If you are 50 kilos and over you have to sit in the front seat and if you are less than 50 kilos you have to sit in the back seat. Don’t worry if you’re under 50 kilos because you still get all-round view and in my opinion you get more room and the seat is comfier.

Once on the airfield we were brought to our pilots and kitted up. You then get into the glider. Someone will be holding one of the wings and someone else will be connecting up the winch. Your pilot will give orders to the people outside the last being “all out”. Suddenly you’ll start going forwards really fast and then you’ll shoot into the air up to about 1 and a half thousand feet above the ground. The view is amazing, sounds are so quiet, and you can learn something new on the slow flight to the floor. It’s a great experience to have. It was for me and it will be for you. I’m going again.

Cdt Daryl Jones
2171 Squadron