Into The Blue - Aerotow in Kent

Founded in 1930, it's one of the oldest UK clubs Dynamic Gliding club with over 150 active members Go Gliding from nr Ashford over the Kentish Downs Excellent clubhouse with food, rooms and camping What's Included? An aerotow launch to 2000ft A safety briefing, explanation of the aircraft and its controls before being strapped into the cockpit You will then enjoy the view as you are towed by a tug plane up to the release altitude and soaring for approximately 15 minutes Your instructor will demonstrate the controls before letting you have a go at flying the glider yourself Allow one hour on site for this experience What can I expect? Gliding in Kent has a very long and proud history, with hundreds getting airborne to soar over of the Garden of England through the years. Located on the crest of the North Downs between Charing and Challock, this lively and energetic club in Kent is a great place to learn the graceful art of gliding. A very dynamic club, it has an excellent club house and briefing room for budding glider pilots and for the 150 active members, has seven twin seat gliders and around 30 BGA approved gliding instructors. There are 20 tug pilots on the books to keep the club gliding seven days a week in summer and every Wednesday and at weekends in winter too. With the mild climate of Kent it's perfectly possible to glide all year round. Many have said that gliding offers the best views of Kent and the coastline. In fact, on a clear day you can look out of one side of the cockpit and see the Thames Estuary, Whitstable and into Essex, whilst from the other side of your glider it's the views of Ashford, the Kent coastline and perhaps even France that'll have you utterly enthralled as you take a slow, graceful 360 degree turn to take it all in. You will enjoy one aerotow flight, being pulled into the air by a Piper Pawnee tug plane, leaving you to soar high above the cliffs like a giant seagull and your ride back to the grass runway. When is it available? All flights are subject to suitable conditions Seven days a week from April to September and weekends all year Weekday flights have much better availability than those at weekends Locations Kent, the gliding club is north of AshfordSpectator Facilities Spectators are very welcome to come and watch the gliding fun There is a large clubhouse selling refreshments, snacks and hot meals all day on Wednesdays and weekends, picnic benches and tables providing great views If you are travelling long distances to try gliding in Kent or want to take advantage of the hospitality at the clubhouse, basic rooms are available to hire You are also welcome to pitch a tent in the fields adjacent to the clubhouse Shower and toilet facilities are provided The club has wheelchair access and disabled toilet facilities More Info Minimum age 14 years Maximum weight limit is 16 stone Maximum height is 6'2" (1.88m) You will have to sign a health declaration, however, if you are fit enough to drive a car, you will be able to fly in a glider Suitable arrangements can be made to overcome most disabilities