Half-Day Courses

A Half-Day Course for Just £135

The Scottish Gliding Centre's half-day courses are an ideal introduction to gliding. Whilst a trial lesson is intended as an exhilarating experience or a thrilling day out, a half-day course lets you make a real start on controlling the glider yourself. The courses are aimed at absolute beginners (ab-initio in gliding language) and no previous knowledge or experience is required. The emphasis is on flying experience and the course fee covers as much flying as you can fit into the half-day.

No great theoretical knowledge is needed to fly a glider (just as no great mechanical knowledge is needed to be able to drive a car) and people of all ages from schoolchildren^* to retired routinely take up this exhilarating sport. Neither do you need to be particularly athletic or super-fit; anyone in a reasonable state of health  can fly a glider. (As a general guide, if you are fit enough to drive a car you are fit enough to fly a glider). The sport is equally suitable for both sexes. At the end of the half-day's course you will have a thorough appreciation of what you need to learn to fly a glider and you will be able to discuss with your instructor how much flying you are likely to need to go solo.

The half-day training course is carried out in the Scottish Gliding Centre's modern, rugged, 2-seater, dual-control, high-performance gliders (see the fleet) under the supervision of experienced British Gliding Association (BGA) qualified instructors and follows the BGA's syllabus. The courses are currently run on Mondays through Fridays throughout the year with the emphasis on flying rather than theory. With a maximum ratio of only 3 students per instructor you can expect to fit in, depending on the weather conditions, up to eight short flights or around one hour of soaring. The Scottish Gliding Centre is located very close to 2 extensive hill ridges which give soarable conditions in almost all weather conditions and of course depending on the time of year, thermal or wave activity is also possible. Courses are available morning or afternoon in summer and through the middle of the day in winter when daylight hours are shorter.

Please send your cheque made out to 'The Scottish Gliding Centre' to:-

The Scottish Gliding Centre,
Portmoak Airfield,
Scotlandwell,
near Kinross,
KY13 9JJ

along with the name of the person for whom the voucher is being purchased, and the name and address to which it is to be sent.

To book a place on a half-day course, check the available dates and contact the Scottish Gliding Centre. The courses are popular and early application is advisable. When making your booking please note that you should plan to arrive at least half an hour earlier to allow time for a few formalities and an introductory talk by the instructor. If you need any further information please contact the club by phone or email or in writing.

^* Under current legislation you need to be at least 16 years of age to fly solo. It is probably not worthwhile learning to fly until you are about 15 years old so that you will not get to solo level too long before you can legally fly. If you are under the age of 18 you will need your parent's permission.

Please see our tariff page for details of these and other learn-to-fly courses.

For an ideal introduction to this exhilarating sport why not try a
Trial Flight (just £65)
or one of the Scottish Gliding Centre's other flying courses.

Please contact the club or use the  Feedback Form if you require more information or details.