Become a Glider Pilot

Gliding is one of the most accessible, rewarding, and breathtaking forms of flying—but it’s also one of the most challenging adventure sports.

While many dream of soaring, few take the step from a trial flight to pursuing gliding as a sport. It takes courage, persistence, and time—but the journey is filled with unforgettable milestones, from your first solo flight to soaring across the mountains and lakes.

Learning to fly a glider is an exciting challenge, and with commitment, most people can do it.

The first steps can feel overwhelming — there’s a lot to take in at once — but that’s completely normal. Everyone goes through this early learning curve, and the rewards are worth it.

Requirements:

• A basic medical check from your GP or a DL9 driving medical is needed before flying solo.

• Gliders have weight limits for safe balance (approx. 55–100 kg).

For youth:

We offer subsidised youth membership, and pilots under 25 can attend Youth Glide NZ training camps at reduced cost — an affordable way to enter the aviation world. For more information visit  the Youth Glide NZ website 

Where do I start?

Start with our 3-flight Intro Pack for $300 — the perfect way to discover whether gliding is for you. Most newcomers need 2–3 flights to get a true feel for the sport and decide if they’d like to continue training.
Trial flights run between 10 am and 1 pm on club flying days. After 1 pm, our aircraft are mainly used for student training. 

As a small volunteer club, we can’t accept walk-ins. 

Please contact us first and purchase your Intro Pack in advance. A short waiting time may apply.

Ready to take the first step?
For Intro Packs or more info: contact the club.

Joining the club

If, after your Intro Pack, you’re ready for more, you can join in one of two ways:

1. Beginner Courses (January & February)

Start straight with our beginner course - structured to bring you to your first Solo flight.

• Fee: $1,200

• Includes 5 days of instruction with our licensed instructors, club membership, and Gliding NZ affiliation. The remaining balance will be credited to your flying account.

2. Standard Club Joining (All Year)

• Fee: $500

• Covers club membership, Gliding NZ affiliation, and a credit to your flying account to start training immediately.

As a not-for-profit club, everyone helps out to keep costs low. You’ll gain hands-on experience running launches, operating the winch, and driving retrieve vehicles—while flying as much as possible. A day at the airfield is never dull! Carpooling with other members is also a great way to share tips and stories.