Trial Lessons - Ring 0845 600 8518

Have you ever seen a glider overhead, and wondered what it would be like to fly in one. Well at Lee on Solent you can, so why not come along and have a go?.

At the Portsmouth Naval Gliding Centre we take pride in offering the best trial flights around. Not only do we have a dedicated team of Instructors to give you your first experience of gliding but we also have an efficient booking service and timed lessons so you don't have to hang round the airfield in the hope that we can fit you in. Our prices are very reasonable and if the smiles on the faces at the end of the flights are anything to go by we offer very good value for money.

Many people try a flight as a birthday present or to celebrate a special occassion and a few take the plunge, join the club full time and become glider pilots.

Trial lessons are an opportunity for anyone to sample the delights of gliding and if you are comfortable, to take the controls under the supervision one of our experienced instructors. There are minimal physical restrictions to taking a trial lesson and we regularly fly people of all ages. The only real problem is if you are so disabled that we can't actually get you into the glider.

Before the flight we will spend a little time giving you some basic tuition covering the gliders controls and flying instruments. You will be shown which controls you will be able to use and which you should avoid, how to read the instruments and fasten and unfasten your safety harness.

There is no need to feel any embarassment just because it's all so strange and unfamiliar, we all had to start in the same way and we expect to help you overcome this. We also anticipate that you will be nervous so don't worry about that either.

Before you know it you'll be strapped in your seat with the instructor behind you ready for your first glider launch and one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

Most Trial Lesson flights are launched by Aerotow where the glider is towed behind a tug aircraft up to a height of 2000 or 3000 feet. The take off is much more gentle than a winch launch and because the tug pilot needs to fly around the airfield to gain height you get an opportunity to do some aerial site seeing before the glider releases from the tow and flies free. Once the instructor has released the glider from the tug he will trim the aircraft and give you the chance to take control. This is done in stages where he (or she) will demonstrate how a particular control works and then give you a chance to perform the same control movement. Don't worry, the instructor is not going to let you do anything silly and will take things in easy stages. Despite being their first time in a glider many people are able to do most of the flying after some initial tuition and then some prompting from the instructor.

Flight times vary but are usually from 15 to 30 minutes. If it is thermic the instructor might suggest doing a few turns to try and climb in the thermal. In order to stay in the thermal these might have to be fairly tight, which some people find uncomfortable. If you're one of them then do please say so, you're not going to offend the instrutor, after all you are up there to have fun.

The views from the air are exceptional, the Solent and the Isle of Wight are clearly visible. In the summer you can watch the yacht racing and there's usually some shipping entering and leaving Southampton Water.

The view to the left is taken from about 3000 feet looking to the East from Lee on Solent. Portsmouth and Southsea are in the foreground, beyond that is Hayling Island and beyond that Chichester harbour and Selsey Bill.

Trial lessons are usually only available at weekends but during the Summer we sometimes arrange trial lessons for group events for Charities like Madame Curie who we have a special relationship with and special events for employees of local businesses or for youngsters involved in Cadets or Scouts.

Because we allocate a glider and an instructor and a time slot, a trial lessons needs to be booked in advance. We try very hard to keep to our agreed time for your flight but obviously poor weather or operational difficulties on the airfield can delay things.

To book your trial lesson please ring 0845 600 8518 and talk to our trial flight co-ordinator If they're busy, please leave a message on the answering machine and they will get back to you as soon as they can, or you can email them by clicking here.