7 day gliding course

Saint-Florentin

€ 619

€ 619

7 day course

5.0 (1)

Learn different aspects of gliding in this seven-day flying course in France

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Learn all about weather, thermals and, of course, flying during the 7-day gliding course. An ideal first step towards your gliding licence.

Location

The 7-day course is held in Terlet, north of Arnhem and in St. Florentin, France. Later in the text you will find more information about gliding in France. At the airfield in Terlet is a cosy restaurant. There is always plenty of activity and you can enjoy all the gliders that are constantly flying to and fro. Gliding in Terlet offers fantastic views of the Veluwe, Arnhem, the Rhine and IJssel rivers and, when the weather is nice, even Apeldoorn is visible!

The club

Gliding is a real team sport, the club is run by the members. You'll be surprised how many people it takes to fly. Besides the instructor, you need a tip runner, cable rider and winch operator to get the aircraft into the air and safely back in. During your training, you will be introduced to all these components and the friendly team. With full training, you really become part of the team. Besides flying, you will also learn about ground operations. You will also help on the ground to provide a safe flight for your fellow gliders.

Course content

The first introduction to learning to glide. The course at Terlet does not have to be taken in seven consecutive days. However, for insurance reasons, all lessons must be flown within one season. This course includes:

a minimum of 20 winch starts with an experienced instructor, in which you learn the basics of gliding
Logbook for registering your lessons
Theory book Gliding
Temporary membership of the Royal Dutch Aviation Association (KNVvL), in connection with insurance.

During this course, you will fully rotate in the gliding company. This means you start at 9.00 am with the briefing. Everyone who will be flying is present at this briefing to discuss the important issues for the day.

France

In May, June, July, August and October, you can take the course at Saint Florentin in France. An ideal glider airfield in the beautiful French countryside, about 600 km from Utrecht. Conditions there are excellent for beginners and advanced pilots. Regional gliding championships are often organised at this airfield in spring.

Together with the complete Dutch team, you will make many teaching flights. The whole week is dedicated to gliding and the weather conditions are (almost) always perfect. The course in France contains the same components as the Terlet course, except that French insurance is also included. In France, flights often last a bit longer, due to the good conditions. Novice pilots benefit from a nice large field and 'free glide', making the field well suited for students to master landing. If the weather is a bit good, the thermals are fantastic.

The course in France is exclusive:

travel from the Netherlands to France and return (but chances are you can carpool)
accommodation at the campsite (tent, caravan or motorhome)
food and drink
contribution camping facilities

You will pay for the food and drink and the camping fee afterwards. Food and drink costs all inclusive € 13.50 per person per day. For camping it is €5.70 per person per day.

Camping

The local French gliding club at St Florentin has a cosy campsite, equipped with modern sanitary facilities such as showers, toilets and a washing machine. The campsite is suitable for tent, caravan or motorhome and also has some electricity connection points. It is very cosy to stay here with the rest of the gliders.

Dinner is prepared in a special large cooking tent brought along by the club, equipped with all the cooking luxuries: several gas cookers, refrigerators, cooking utensils, a dishwasher and hot and cold running water. Chairs and tables are also provided. Once a week, there is a big BBQ.

LAPL(S)

During the course, you will get a taste of what is involved in getting your licence. For gliding, there is a special licence; the LAPL(S), or Light Aircraft Pilot Licence Sailplane. To get this licence, you will have to learn a lot. The exam consists of a theoretical part and a practical part. The theory consists of the subjects Meteorology, Navigation, Aircraft Construction, Flight Instruments, HFACS (Human Factors Analysis and Classification System) and Aviation Regulations. The theory classes are largely taught in winter but you should also get your nose in the books at home!

After obtaining your theory certificate, you can apply for the practical exam. During the exam, you have to perform a number of landings solo and fly three exam flights together with the examiner. Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your pilot's licence. Your LAPL(S) licence allows you to fly with a passenger, make overland flights from one airport to another, take part in competitions and rent a glider. And, of course, fly as much as you want at the flying club.

It varies from student to student how many take-offs are needed before an exam can be taken. How quickly you can get the licence also greatly depends on how much time you invest in flying. You can start the course from the age of 14. You can also take flying lessons for the licence from the age of 14. You can take the exams as soon as you are 16 or older.

Specifications

Spoken languages
This experience is available in these languages.
Persons	1
Season	March to october
Only available during in its season. Please check the validity of your voucher.
Age	From 14 on
Max. length	2.00 m
Maximum height of the participant
Max. weight	100 kg
Maximum weight of the student, including clothes. For safety.
Participation	Flying lesson
How you participate: is it a flying lesson or do you fly along.
Time	Flight Time
Indicates whether the time periods listed are block times or flight times. Flight time is the time in the air. Block time means from engine on to engine off, thus including taxiing.
Valid for	2 years
How long the voucher is valid after issue. Dit geldt alleen voor nieuwe bonnen.

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Prices

7 day course	€ 619
Cost 7 day gliding course

Remarks

Gliding is seasonal and has limited capacity. So book well in advance
We only fly when visibility is good and the wind is not too strong
On the afternoon before your course, call the venue to see if we can fly safely. You will receive the number with your reservation
The voucher is not personal but once the course has started you cannot change students anymore
The first appointment must be within the validity of the gift voucher/voucher
There is no refund if the course is not completed
For insurance reasons, all starts must be flown within one season
Course days start at 9am with the common briefing
This course can also be taught in English
Are you considering taking part in this course? Then contact us for an intake interview
To participate, you must be medically approved by an AME (Aero Medical Examiner), see an overview of Dutch AMEs here. The costs of this are at your own expense. You can also fly in St Florentin with a Dutch medical examination. These are european valid.