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London Gliding Club

cross country

Gliding is not just about gently drifting to ground.

On most good gliding days, long cross country flights are flown from the London Gliding Club. These range in size from 50 miles up to over 500 miles!

On weekends there is a task briefing covering the weather, airspace, and three tasks of varying difficulty. Pilots choose which one they want to fly, program it into their flight computers (so they don't get lost) and set off. Sometimes this is an informal race, but more often than not it's a chance to fly side by side with your friends.

Cross country pilots get better with practice and training. The satisfaction of reading and beating the weather, to achieve your own personal best is immense.

143 returns
143 returns image <1 of 2>
whilst much of a cross country flight involves circling in lift,
the last phase involves losing any extra height on the way
back to the airfield. This is done by flying faster and faster,
and when judged perfectly provides a stunning display as
the glider 'pulls up' and joins the landing circuit.
finishing
finishing image <2 of 2>
perfect end to a perfect flight?
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site design Melissa Jenkins
143 returnswhilst much of a cross country flight involves circling in lift, the last phase involves losing any extra height on the wayback to the airfield.  This is done by flying faster and faster, and when judged perfectly provides a stunning display as the glider 'pulls up' and joins the landing circuit.finishingperfect end to a perfect flight?