Rattlesden Gliding Club is in the position to offer student pilots between the ages of 15 and 18 the chance to be on our youth pilot scheme. We are affiliated to the sports governing body, ‘The British Gliding Association’, under whose guidance the sport is conducted. All our instructors are fully qualified to the BGA’s high standards and all flying is under the direction of our Chief Flying Instructor. Rattlesden Gliding Club has appointed a member who has had a CRB check done to oversee the Youth Pilot scheme. Please see the Child Protection policy for information. Parents are encouraged to bring their son / daughter to the club on their first visit and are welcome at any other time.

Go Solo ...

... then graduate to single seaters

How Does it Work? The scheme works like this: The students help to ready the club gliders for the day and take them to the launchpoint under supervision of an experienced solo pilot. During the day they will be helping position gliders for take-off and returning them to the launch point when they land. At the end of flying they will help clean and put the gliders away. They will also have the opportunity to be trained to drive vehicles around the site. They will have cards to be signed off when they have been trained to do any of the above.

What's in Return?
In return for this the club is offering low subscription rates (£52.50 membership per year which includes insurance, to cover accidental damage to club equipment), and reduced flying costs. Winch Launches are £3.75 with the first ten minutes airtime free while training, after that 16p per minute to a maximum of one hour. Aerotows to 2000’ are £24.50 plus 16p per minute airtime from roll to a maximum of one hour. If the flight exceeds one hour then the instructor will pay the extra cost.

Anything Else? During the gliding season, apart from their own flying, the students will be encouraged to attend competitions at other East Anglian Clubs and help crew for Rattlesden pilots flying there. This gives an insight into the complexities of competitive flying, which is something that they may want to try one day Why Glide Anyway? Gliding is a unique sport and we are grateful for the help we have received from The Sports Council, The National Lottery and The Foundation for Sports and Arts during the last few years. We feel it is our duty as a local club to share these benefits with other groups within the community. Young blood is important in any sport and can lead on to other things. Who knows, in ten years time one of these young pilots could be flying you to your holiday destination from the flight deck of a 747.

You can download a copy of the above here.