NFGC - Your First Visit

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.

Visiting the Club

Needwood Forest Gliding Club is a small, friendly club which is run by its members. We welcome visitors to our Club and Trial Lessons are available on most club flying days, subject to suitable weather conditions and the availability of gliders and instructors. Please note that participants wishing to fly must be aged 12 or over and that the maximum weight limit for flying in gliders is 16 stone.

Flying takes place every weekend, Wednesday and most Bank Holidays throughout the year - weather permitting, but we don't fly when it is raining, snowing, misty or foggy. Strong winds and poor visibility may also stop us flying. If you are unsure as to how suitable the weather is for flying, you may wish to call the club on 01283 575578 before setting off.

Our flying list operates on a first come first served basis, with the emphasis on making sure that anyone who wishes to fly (members and visitors alike) has an enjoyable flight. Once your name has been added to the flying list we will try to give you an indication of how long it will be before you fly. If you have pre booked a specific time for a Trial Lesson we will try to fly you as closely to your booked time as possible, subject to glider and instructor availability.

You don't need to bring any special equipment with you when you come gliding, but please remember that 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.

We don't have any 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 - please remember though that you mustn't consume any alcohol if you are intending to fly.

Arriving at the Site

If you arrive at the site before flying has started:

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 put your name on the flying list and arrange for someone to show you around.

If flying has already started when you arrive:

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.

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.

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.

before crossing the field to either of our launch points, please wait by the 'Glider Landing' signs - the launch point will tell 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 tell you what to expect during your flight and ensure 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.

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:

	children must be kept under close supervision at all times
	ball games are not permitted on the active airfield
	dogs are not allowed on the active airfield
	please do not go near, or touch any gliders unless you are accompanied by a Club member
	do not go near the launching winch or any steel cables which you may see on the ground
	please follow marked access routes
	all vehicles are brought onto site at your own risk