Herefordshire Gliding Club Scholarship Scheme

Many people look to the skies and imagine the thrill of being able to fly. Gliding is an accessible and affordable form of aviation that combines the thrill of flying but with the challenge of adventure and requiring skill and tenacity. Learning to fly a modern glider helps young people develop flexibility, teamwork, tenacity and decision making skills. Young people considering a career in aviation gain valuable experience towards this goal.

Herefordshire gliding club is a small, friendly gliding club based at Shobdon Airfield, sat in the beautiful countryside of the Welsh Marches just outside Leominster.

The objective of the Scholarship scheme is to introduce and encourage young people to the sport of gliding.

• The scheme is open to any young person under 18 in full time education.
• No formal qualifications are required other than enthusiasm, determination and commitment.
• Herefordshire Gliding club is one of the British Gliding Association's (BGA) accredited Junior Gliding Centre.

Training

We aim to train young pilots to a standard required to pilot a glider on their own ('flying solo').

• Initially pupils fly with a qualified instructor in a dual-control training aircraft. After successful completion of the pre-solo part of the BGA training syllabus, and when the instructor thinks the pupil is fully prepared it is time for the first solo flight.
• Training will also include presentations and tutorials on subjects such as the theory of flight, meteorology and air law, usually when the weather is unsuitable for flying.
• Learning to fly will require regular attendance. Progress is much quicker if pupils are able to fly at least one day every week.
• You will be provided with a pilot's logbook to record your progress.

Responsibilities

An experienced instructor is responsible for operating the airfield. Junior gliding members will be part of the team, helping to run the gliding operation alongside other junior and adult members. Full training in all ground skills will be given.

Cadets are expected to commit to one duty day every 4 weeks but are encouraged to fly at normal junior rates on other weekends and midweek days when the club is operating. Any scholarship trainee missing more than one duty day will be asked to leave the scheme. However appeals for mitigating circumstances may be made to the committee.

Duties will include:

• Retrieving gliders using the club retrieve vehicles (needs explicit parental permission)
• Ensuring the daily flying log is accurately maintained.
• Connecting gliders to the tow aircraft.
• Launching gliders using radio communications and light signal system.
• Helping prepare gliders at the start of flying and packing the hangar at completion, including washing gliders and basic glider maintenance
• Any other aviation related tasks necessary to ensure efficient flying.

Training costs and scholarship scheme benefits

Many people think that flying is expensive, however, when you find out how much gliding costs, you might be pleasantly surprised.

• For Scholarship trainees and junior pilots time and instruction is free and junior pilots are only required to pay for launches.
• All Scholarship trainees and junior pilots are required to pay an annual membership of £97.50 / year.
• A typical launch to 2,000 ft costs for an hour £28.50.
• Additionally scholarship trainees will be given one free launch on any of their duties days when the weather is flyable. (If the trainee is not able to take their flight on their duty day through no fault of their own their free flight may be carried over.)

A 20-minute training flight therefore costs less than a driving lesson, and the annual junior membership is half the price of many games consoles.

Training is available every weekend and on wed afternoons and evenings between May - September.

We also run 5 day courses and have club flying weeks during the summer.

Solo? What next?

The first solo flight is a memorable day but we hope that is just the beginning. We hope that our pupils may go on to enjoy many years of soaring or perhaps become a cross country pilot, an instructor or even compete, initially in junior level competitions and even as part of the junior national team.

Becoming an accomplished pilot is a continuous process and there are many, many more goals to pursue - the BGA bronze badge, the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) silver, gold and diamond badges, cross-country flying, racing competitions, aerobatics and much more.

Applications

We will initially accept 4 scholarship trainees per year, and normally a scholarship trainees can only be part of the scheme for two years but we hope will continue and our very subsidised junior rates beyond that.

Applications of pupils under 18 require parental consent.

Candidates are expected to meet medical requirements for solo flight.

Complete and return the scholarship application form, available from Andreas Jeden.

If you would like more information on the cadet scheme then please contact Andreas Jelden, speak to an instructor or visit the club.

Additional information on junior flying is also available at the Junior Gliding British Gliding Association website - gliding.co.uk/juniorgliding

If you are not accepted onto the cadet scheme you are still very welcome to join as a junior or adult member as appropriate. Prices are available on the website.