Flying cross country is a truly unforgettable experience.
On days when the weather conditions allow, glider pilots set off from their local hills to find air warmed by the sun that rises thousands of feet and forms fluffy cumulus clouds. The aim of the game is to find and then stay inside these invisible rising columns of air. Once arriving near cloud base we start looking downwind for a distant cloud that identifies more warm rising air, if its within reach we set off gliding across the countryside getting closer to our next climb but also loosing height along the way. Sometimes we find ourselves fairly low and looking for sensible landing options at the same time as seeking the warm rising air we set off for. If our previous decision puts us in the right place at the right time we will connect with the thermal and work it until we get high. Ready again to start looking for our next downwind cloud. The flight comes to an end when we either reach our declared landing field or we can’t find another climb in time.
This type of flight took Richard Carter 306km from Elan Valley to Cloughton setting the UK record in 2018. It’s a game of patience, planning, observation, reading the air, decision making, teamwork with other pilots and birds and of course a splash of luck.
These are the flights and days we live for!
This flight option is for the whole day and includes a retrieve driver so if we land early we can get a lift back to the hill for another shot. No matter how warm the forecast is it will be cold up at the clouds so dress for a winters day. This flight also includes an edited or unedited HD video.
Typically there are only approximately 30 days a year (March-September) when this option is available due to the very specific weather conditions we need to get high and go far so please bear this in mind when booking.
IMPORTANT: If you are prone to motion sickness this type of thermic flight will almost certainly make you feel ill. If this sounds like you but you still want an extended flight experience we can arrange a long coastal flight between Newhaven and Brighton Mariner in silky smooth air.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss if this is the right option for you.