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Information for Visitors . .
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We
hope you'll enjoy your first visit to Needwood Forest Gliding Club.
If you've never visited a gliding site before we appreciate that you
may feel a little apprehensive about what to expect, but please
don't be concerned, the following notes aim to help you make the
most of your visit by explaining how the club operates, our safety
guidelines and what to expect on your first flight. |
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Visiting the Club . . .
Needwood Forest Gliding Club is a small, friendly club which is run
by its members and visitors are always welcome. If you have a
Trial Lesson or One Day Course Voucher, to ensure you get the best
from your visit, book a time via our online booking system by
clicking here. If you're interested in joining the
club, there's no need to pre-book just pop along on any flying day
and we'll be happy to show you around, answer any questions you may
have and, if we have capacity, provide you with the opportunity to
take a taster flight.
The club is open every weekend throughout the year and on Wednesdays
and Bank Holidays between April and October. Flying is
subject to suitable weather and ground conditions -
we don't fly when it is raining, snowing, misty or foggy, strong
winds may also stop us. If you are unsure as to
how suitable the weather is, you may wish to call the club on 01283
575578 before starting your journey. |
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On the Day . . .
Whilst you don't need to bring any special equipment with you when
you come gliding, airfields are exposed areas which can be prone to
extremes of weather. Warm clothing, including a hat and gloves, and
sturdy footwear is essential from autumn through to spring and, in
the summer months, sun hat, sun glasses and sun cream are essential
items for any one wishing to fly. For ease of getting in and out of
gliders, ladies who are flying will be most comfortable in trousers
or shorts and low heeled shoes. You
are welcome to bring a camera on site to record your experience, but
only small cameras with a secure wrist or neck strap are allowed in
the glider with you.
There are no catering facilities on site, although a small selection
of soft drinks, chocolate bars and crisps are available at the
launch point. Many of our visitors bring a picnic lunch with them
to eat whilst watching the gliding activities - but please remember
that you mustn't consume any alcohol if you are intending to
fly.
If you
have a Trial Lesson or One Day Course Voucher, please be aware that
the time you are given when you book is the time at which you should
arrive on site and is not the time at which you will fly. On
arrival you, and any guests accompanying you, will be given an
airfield safety briefing and, prior to flying you will receive a pre
flight briefing.
We will try to fly you as closely to your booking in time as
possible, subject to glider and instructor availability and suitable
weather conditions. Trial Lesson visitors should expect to
spend around 2-2˝
hours on site, One Day Course visitors should expect to spend the
whole day on site. |
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Arriving at the Site . . .
If
you arrive at the site before flying has started: |
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you will normally find members around the clubroom and
hangar areas preparing the gliders for the day's flying
activities. Please introduce yourself and ask for the Duty
Ground Instructor or Ground Assistant who will arrange for
someone to show you around. |
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If flying has already started when you arrive: |
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you will need to make your way to the launch point. We use
different launch points depending on which way the wind is
blowing and the signs at the side of the hangar will tell
you which one is in use. |
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in a westerly wind you will be asked to leave your car on
the main parking area by the hangar and walk to the launch
point. |
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in an easterly wind please drive along the track to the far
end of the field - please note that you must wait by our
stop sign until the winch driver authorises you to proceed -
once you have been cleared to do so please continue to the
parking area at the far end of the field. |
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before crossing the field to the launch point,
please wait by the 'Glider Landing' signs - the launch point
will signal you when it is safe to cross. These areas are
used by landing gliders so once authorised please do not
linger on the grass area. |
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when you arrive at the launch point you will find the Ground
Assistant in the control van, please introduce yourself and
ask for your name to be added to the flying list. |
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before crossing back to the car parking areas please check
with a club member that no gliders are coming in to land and
that it is safe for you to cross. |
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Please note that cars are not allowed on the grass areas under any
circumstances. If a member of your party is infirm and unable to
walk to the launch point, please let the Ground Instructor know and
we will arrange for one of the club vehicles to transport them. |
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Your First Flight . . .
When it is your turn to fly, you will be introduced to your
instructor who will show you the glider you are going to fly in,
this will be one of the club's two seater training gliders. Your
instructor will give you a pre-flight briefing, explaining what you
should expect during your flight and
ensuring that you are comfortably seated in the glider. Once you are
both ready to fly the launch cable will be attached and your
‘Gliding Experience’ will begin.
On an average day at Cross Hayes you can expect to achieve a launch
height of anywhere between 1,400 and 1,600'. At the top of the
launch your instructor will release the cable and together you will
be free to soar high above the countryside. Your instructor will
then explain how the glider’s controls work and, if time permits,
will give you the opportunity to carry out some simple manoeuvres -
all under his or her watchful eye of course! When it’s time to
return to earth, your instructor will take the controls once again
for the final part of the flight, the circuit and landing. |
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Safety . . .
The welcome board by the side of the hangar lays down our basic
safety rules which, for the safety of all airfield users, we ask our
visitors to adhere to. These are: |
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children must be kept under close supervision at all times |
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ball games are not permitted on the active airfield |
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dogs are not allowed on the active airfield |
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please do not go near, or touch any gliders unless you are
accompanied by a Club member |
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do not go near the launching winch or any cables which
you may see on the ground |
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please follow marked access routes |
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all vehicles are brought onto site at your own risk |
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