Women's Gliding Weekend — Bidford Gliding & Flying Club

Women’s Gliding Weekend: 13th & 14th July

Gliding clubs across the country are underrepresented by women. The British Gliding Association are working to redress this and here at Bidford we are playing our part.

On 13th and 14th July we are running a Women’s Gliding Weekend. Four half-day courses are available exclusively for women attendees. Course content details are below.

At BGFC we endeavour to keep our costs as low as possible to offer affordable access to aviation. But this time we really are offering a special course price - only £65 for an activity-packed half day, including a 2,000 ft training flight. And if that isn’t enough, if you’ve had a great experience and decide to join the club, we will put the £65 cost towards your first year’s membership fee, as long as this is done on the day of your course.

Your friends and family are very welcome to attend whilst you’re participating in the course. You are also very welcome to arrive early/stay on, and make a day of it. We have a superb café run by the fabulous Kaz.

If you are interested in finding out more about gliding and our friendly club, but would prefer not to book a place on the course, please do come along during the weekend. You will get the warmest of welcomes and have an interesting and fun day.

Our hope and intention is that more women will join the club and expand our small but growing group of women pilots. We look forward to welcoming you

A word from the British Gliding Association

Hi my name is Yvonne Elliott and I am the British Gliding Association’s women’s advocate

I am thrilled that Bidford Gliding and Flying Club is participating in the BGA’s initiative to increase the number of women in gliding. Gliding is a sport for all and once experienced never forgotten. It would be fantastic if more women joined our sport; you will meet lifelong friends, enjoy wonderful days on the airfield and find a sport that provides such amazing views and a feeling of freedom.

It is a sport that the whole family can enjoy together. Join BGFC and experience what others already enjoy.

Yvonne.
BGA Women’s Advocate, BGA Junior Gliding Centre Officer

Meet our pilots

Meet Christine Bell, our Chief Tug Pilot. Christine is a CAA-approved instructor and examiner and is responsible for the aircraft and the pilots that launch the gliders. She’ll be there on the weekend to talk about the vital role that the “tuggies” play and what it’s like to be at the other end of the rope!

Meet some instructors

Meet Jordan Johnson, one of our younger members, who recently qualified as an instructor. Hear how he started and what he hopes to achieve.

Here is Jordan running through the safety checks with a visitor from Australia prior to taking him up for a Trial Flight.

A recent aerobatics display at Bidford

BGFC Instructor performing an aerobatics display near our airfield.

One of our recent experience flights

Our instructors spend time getting the guest familiar with the glider and its controls and then explains what happens during the flight. This includes a safety briefing. All our two-person gliders are equipped with full dual controls, so the experience is both safe and enjoyable.

One of our tugs towing a glider

One of our club members, Emma

I started gliding at Bidford at 14 years old, going solo that summer. Since then, I have continued to progress with gliding, developing my soaring skills and converting to the club single seater. Gliding has strengthened my passion for aviation which has led me to pursue an Aerospace Engineering Degree and I have recently gained my Private Pilot Licence for powered aircraft.