Learning to fly gliders is an elaborate and very enjoyable process. Modern gliders are made from the latest, hi-tech materials and are capable of speeds from 45mph to over 150mph whilst staying airborne all day.
The theory of gliding flight is essentially the same as that of other aircraft: the main controls (elevator, ailerons and rudder) work in the same way but, due to the nature of the aircraft, are more sensitive. Older gliders have thick, deep wings (a consequence of using wood in the construction), but modern versions have longer, thinner wings to minimize drag and improve all round performance.
It is important to keep the glider as light as possible during its design and construction to give it a shallow glide angle (a ratio of how far an aircraft will travel horizontally for a given vertical drop). Modern gliders have a typical glide angle of 40:1 (40 metres horizontally for every 1 metre decended), and some can achieve a ratio of over 60:1.
During your first flight the instructor will give you the chance to fly the glider and will explain the different effects of the controls. Depending on the weather conditions, the flight may last anything from five minutes to one hour.
The following video filmed and produced by a fellow gliding club in Shropshire, will give you some idea of the type of flying we do at RAF Halton:
Video credits: Wrekin Gliding Club. UCLUGC does not claim any creative rights for this video and is not responsible for its content.
Launching
There are three common methods of launching:
Winch launch - the most common. A stationary winch is positioned at the opposite
end of the runway and is connected to the aircraft by a cable. When the cable is
wound in the glider reaches flying speed and starts to climb.
Aerotowing - the glider is attached to a powered aircraft by a tow-rope and towed
into the air. The glider releases the cable when the required altitude is reached.
Car launch - the glider is attached to a car by a cable and dragged into the air as
the vehicle travels down the runway.
The RAF Halton 'Tost' Winch
Winch launching is the standard method at RAF Halton, although aerotowing is occasionally used. The first launch can be daunting, as everything takes place very quickly but it will not be long before you are 'flying the launch' yourself.
The glider normally reaches an altitude of between 1000ft. and 1500ft. depending on the weather conditions and the launch direction, and the cable is released either automatically or by the instructor. The glider's flight is then steadied and slowed to between 40 and 45 knots.
Lift
The object is, of course, to stay airborne for as long as possible, and the only way to do this is to find lift. An aircraft experiences lift when flying through rising air. This may be from thermals, ridge-lift or lee waves:
Thermals: - bubbles of air, warmer than the surrounding air mass, and therefore rising. Caused by solar energy heating the ground, which in turn heats the air next to it. As the bubble rises it cools until the moisture in the air can no longer be contained, and clouds are formed as condensation takes place. This altitude is the Condensation Level, and is most prominent during the summer when this process produces Cumulus cloud (also known as 'fair weather clouds'). When flying, pilots try to position their glider under these clouds as this is where the best thermal lift is found.
Ridge-lift: - this type of lift is created by air being forced upwards by hills and mountains, and the Chiltern ridge can provide steady and prolonged lift in this way. By flying parallel to and slightly upwind of the ridge, the glider can be positioned in the lift and rise quickly on a windy day.
Lee Waves: - this effect is found downwind of mountains and hills when the deflected air starts to undulate in waves. The best lift can be found upwind of the crest of each wave, which are marked by Lenticular clouds (normally long, thin, 'lens-shaped' clouds).
Most gliders are capable of aerobatics and you can expect the chance to experience some during your training. After all, its fun!
Circuits and landing
R45 (a K8) turning onto finals to land
For an accurate and safe landing, the glider must be positioned in the right place at the start of the approach. This is achieved by flying what is known as the 'circuit', a standard route around the airfield that aircraft take when preparing to land. The circuit indicates to others that you intend to land, and makes the process easier since the route is generally similar for every attempt. It is a critical time, as mistakes become harder to correct when you are near to the ground, especially as you only get one chance at it.
The landing speed is always faster than the cruising speed to prevent the likelihood of stalling by allowing a greater margin for error. To achieve this higher speed, the decent rate is increased, and is only checked within a few metres of the ground. As with most aircraft, the landing is in fact a controlled stall. This is achieved by flying the glider just above, and parallel to, the ground. The speed declines and when the stalling speed is reached the glider settles gently to the ground. The ground run is very short (about 10 to 20 metres).
If the glider has lost too much height and cannot reach the airfield it is easy to land in a neighbouring field, although with the standard of the club's instructors this is fortunately very rare, especially since it involves dismantling the airframe and transporting it back to the airfield.
Other activities
During your time at the airfield you will also be taught how to prepare a glider for launch, drive tractors to retrieve aircraft and launch-cables, give launch commands on the radio, and eventually drive the winch. UCL members are as much a part of the 'goings-on' as Chiltern's members.
Solo and beyond...
Going solo requires commitment but you can be flying on your own within six months of starting to learn. You will be sent solo when the airfield instructors are happy with your ability to take off, fly, and land safely, and deal with problems such as launch failures.
Once you are solo there are a number of goals that glider pilots aim for:
Bronze Badge - First thing you aim for.
Requires 50 solo flights including 2 solo soaring flights (30 mins if winch launched / 60 mins if aerotow launched), flight test, field landing test, and air law and general written test.
Cross-Country Endorsement - Allows you to undertake cross-country flights.
Requires two soaring flights (1 x 1 hour / 1 x 2 hours), field landing test and navigation test.
Silver Badge - Holders of the Silver Badge can become Instructors.
Requires a 1000 metre height gain, a 50km cross-country flight and a 5 hour duration flight.
100km Diploma - Requires 2 100km cross-country flights, one of which must be flown at a handicapped speed of at least 65kph.
Gold Badge - Requires a 3000 metre height gain and a 300km cross-country flight.
As you become more experienced and achieve the different goals, you will be allowed to fly higher performance gliders. When the Silver Badge is obtained, you can become a Basic instructor which allows you to fly beginners to the sport.
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