What it Costs
Gliding is a sport for everyone and the cost of participation depends on a number of factors. Generally speaking the more you fly the more you will spend. It also depends on whether you fly your own glider or a club-owned aircraft, your age (there are subsidies for younger members) and the type of launch (aerotows are more expensive but normally get you to a greater height than a winch launch). There are no fees for members receiving instruction (our instructors are volunteers) but the pupil pays for the flight.
Prices
Our detailed price list is available HERE
There are three basic elements to costs:
annual membership subscription
launch fees
airtime costs
Subscriptions
There are separate fees for partners of full members and for other membership categories. Young people joining our cadets scheme pay reduced rates, which is subsidised by providing help around the club. Junior members start at age 21 or below, with membership prices increasing with each year of age until the age of 30 when they pay the full membership rate.
Launch & Airtime Fees
A winch launch will typically get you to 1000ft, and is cheaper than aerotowing. The winch is primarily used for flight training (excluding cadets).
The cost of an aero tow varies with the height at which you release, however aerotows are typically taken to 2000ft. Aerotows up to 4000ft are taken for some elements of the training syllabus.
Airtime in club gliders is charged by the minute and varies for single or dual seat gliders. From the winch you can expect 5-10 minutes of airtime and from the aerotow you can expect 15-20 minutes of airtime.
Soaring flights will of course attract higher airtime fees, but more time on the controls means quicker progress!
Account statements are issued every month and members are expected to keep their accounts in credit.
In Summary
A typical training flight of around 20 minutes in a K21 by aerotow to 2000ft would cost a member around £60 (2023 pricing), or a 10 minute flight by winch would cost about £20 (2023 pricing). How long you actually stay up also depends on the weather conditions and the skills of the pilot! Flights launched by winch tend to be shorter (due to the lower launch height) but not always – if the ridge is ‘working’ or there are thermals around you can stay up for hours.
Once you are a solo pilot the amount you spend on this wonderful sport is really up to you. If you fly club gliders then you pay launch fees and airtime according to the price list.
In the winter airtime is usually free for the first hour*. There are season tickets which offer great value for those dedicated to intensive use of club gliders. Members can also purchase flight experience vouchers as gifts for friends and family at reduced rates.
Many members own their own glider, either outright or as part of a ‘syndicate’ sharing with others. There are no airtime charges but the owners have to pay for maintenance and insurance, as well as launch fees. There is also a fee (Private Owners Levy) for keeping the glider at the airfield. Private owners tend to have much longer flights (often cross-country) so the fixed annual costs are divided across a longer total time.
*subject to annual comittee approval