Gliding requires harnessing the power of nature to soar at high altitudes. Whether you’re flying locally, or long distance cross-country, it is an exhilarating and affordable way to take to the skies. Absolutely anyone can experience this ultimate adventure sport – it doesn’t matter how old you are, your physical abilities or your background. All that matters is that you have a taste for adventure and a thirst for the thrill! So without further ado, here are our top 5 reasons why you should go gliding in the UK.
1. Soar above the clouds
As gliders are unpowered aircrafts (they require a ‘tow plane’ to become airborne), those within the community refer to piloting one as soaring rather than flying. You actually use the same air currents that birds use to fly - so when you go gliding, you really are soaring like a bird! It is absolutely thrilling to soar amongst the clouds, with not a care in the world and watching life from above. What adds even more to the thrill is that average speeds can reach over 100mph! You’re guaranteed to have an exceptional time up above!
2. Connect with nature
When you go gliding, soaring above the ground and enveloping yourself in the surrounding nature, you really learn to appreciate just how beautiful the world is. What’s more, is that due to being unpowered you truly are respecting the environment around you – there’s no engine noise so you can become fully immersed in nature.
3. Face your fears
If you’re scared of heights or scared of flying, then gliding is definitely the way for you to break the ice! It is one of the safest ways to fly an aircraft, and even more so when piloted by a seasoned captain. As you travel with just the power of the wind it’s a more relaxed way to take to the skies – and flights can be as long or as short as you want. So have no fear – make the leap!
4. Escape for hours
Whether you’re piloting one yourself, or a passenger, once you’re even just half a metre above the ground you can feel all the complexity in the world slipping away from you. You realise that for the next 1, 3, or even 12 hours, the only thing that will matter is you, and the sky. When you focus on a single task you enter an altered state of mind; you are more aware of those not before, your senses feel ‘heightened’, and concentration increases. You will feel nothing but the sense of escape – and the ultimate relaxation.
5. Learn to fly in an affordable way
Most air sports are quite expensive to get started in – you have to buy a lot of equipment, insurance overheads are pricey and just hiring the vehicles can cost a lot of money. But with gliding this couldn’t be further from the case. Gliding is known across the UK as an affordable way to take to the skies – with gliding instruction provided free of charge at most clubs. So there really is no reason why you shouldn’t go!
When should I go Gliding in the UK?
The main course of flight undertaken is called a thermal cross-country flight, which are usually carried out through the warmer summer months. However favourable conditions can vary throughout the UK, so depending on where you are taking off, we would suggest to go either in the summer, autumn or spring – with optimal conditions for gliding being sunny and not too windy.
© 2024 Scott Iman Jones, Yumping Adventure, SL
