Deeside Gliding Club provides flying training and trial lessons from Aboyne Airfield. Trial lessons and 2 flight courses are aimed at novices who may never have tried gliding. Additionally the club offers evening courses in the summer months aimed at novices and also slightly more experienced pilots. The summer courses run every Tuesday evening, each lasting one month, these are currently fully booked for 2008.

If you take either a single flight or course we're sure that you'll enjoy your gliding training in the Highlands of Scotland, above the beautiful countryside of the Grampian Mountains. Weather permitting you will be able to sample soaring flight to prolong your flight time.

General Information

There are no age limits but anyone wishing to fly in a glider needs to be at least 4' 10" in height in order that they can be adequately secured in the aircraft, anyone over 6' 4" may have difficulty fitting in our gliders. The maximum weight of any occupant of the glider is 220 lbs.

Anyone under the age of 18 requires parental consent and those under 16 must also be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Please read the following mandatory notes

For more information please contact the club by e-mail (office@deesideglidingclub.co.uk), telephone or fax (013398 85339).

Trial lessons

Trial lessons are operated on alternate Saturdays and Sundays and are available at a cost of £65.

You will fly with a qualified instructor, climbing to 2000 feet. Once released from tow the instructor will offer a demonstration of the flying controls and give you the chance to fly the glider. These flights normally last for 15-30 minutes giving the potential for some soaring flight.

However long they last these flights are always memorable, but just to make sure you will receive a commemorative certificate after landing. You can take a camera with you provided it is not too large.

2 Flight Courses

Courses are available each weekend and are ideal for those who want more than one flight but are unsure of committing to a longer course or full membership. The first flight follows the pattern of the trial lesson, and the second allows time to further explore glider flying. Flights can either be taken on the same day or on different days. Advanced booking of these courses is highly advisable, please e-mail trialflight@deesideglidingclub.co.uk

Membership

Within the cost of trial flights and courses three months membership of the club is included allowing you to return and fly at normal club rates. Also, if the option is taken to join the club during the three months, then the annual subscription will be discounted. On joining the club you will also receive a welcome pack including a pilot's log book.

Should you require clarification or further information, do not hesitate to contact us by telephone, fax or email.

Gift Vouchers

Gift vouchers make ideal presents and are available for Trial lessons and 2 flight courses. Vouchers are valid at the price paid for twelve months. Please advise the name of the person receiving the voucher at the time of purchase.

Payment

Payment for vouchers can be made by posting a cheque to the club (Deeside Gliding Club, Aboyne Airfield, Dinnet, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire) or by calling 013398 85339 for debit or credit card sales, if the office is unoccupied please leave a message, including a contact number and we'll get back to you.

If you do not wish to purchase a voucher in advance then cash, cheque or card payment may be made on the day.

Booking

Bookings are highly advisable for all trial and 2 flight courses as weekends are busy. Advance booking can be made by e-mailing trialflight@deesideglidingclub.co.uk or calling 01339885339. Please indicate any dates that you either have a strong preference for or are unable to make and we will do our best to accommodate you. There are 6 bookable lessons available on alternate Saturdays and Sundays with start times of 09:00, 10:15, 11:30, 13:15, 14:30 and 15:45.

Please include a contact number with your booking as if the weather is unsuitable we will try to make contact in order to avoid an unnecessary trip. In the event of the club cancelling your booking due to weather or other operational reasons we will rebook as soon as possible.

It may be possible to turn up on any day, including week days, for a trial lesson without a booking but please note that waits may be lengthy and there are no guarantees that a flight will be possible.

Code of Conduct

Deeside Gliding Club operates the British Gliding Association Code of Conduct for gliding lessons a copy of which can be seen here and the Health and Safety Policy here

We look forward to welcoming you to Aboyne.