Become a Glider Pilot

Gliding is one of the most accessible, affordable and rewarding forms of flying. It is also one of the most demanding and challenging adventure sports.

While many dream of soaring, many will never take the step from having a trial flight to taking it up as a sport as it is not easy. It takes time to learn, takes courage and persistence but it is a learning path that's stacked with great milestones.

Gliding blows you away time and time again. It's the beauty, the skill, the views, the freedom, the sense of achievement, camaraderie, being in-tune with nature and the adventure in every flight. Come and do what only a few dare!

Could I do it too?

The short answer is probably yes, but it's important to know that learning to fly a glider will require perseverance. Our club has members aged 16 to over 70. Learning to fly is a significant challenge, and we have noticed that age can play a role - younger individuals tend to learn more quickly.

When you first start learning to glide, it may feel overwhelming and like there's a lot to take in. It's normal to feel like you're struggling at first, but everyone goes through this phase. The learning curve is steep at the beginning, but it's a remarkable journey.

There are medical requirements for gliding. You'll need to pass a basic medical exam from your GP or have a DL9 driving medical before you can fly a glider solo. These requirements are similar to those for microlight aircraft and are less restrictive than CAA medical certificates for a Private Pilot License for general aviation aircraft. There are also weight limitations to ensure proper weight and balance conditions for the gliders, but these are not overly restrictive. Ideally, prospective pilots should weigh between 55-100kg.

We offer subsidized costs for youth club members, making gliding a cost-effective way to enter the aviation world. Additionally, all youth under 25 have the opportunity to participate in Youth Glide NZ training camps held around the country at a reduced cost. For more information, please visit

 the Youth Glide NZ website 

Where do I start?

To get started, you can purchase a 3-flight Intropack for $200. We've found that most people need at least 2-3 flights to really understand the sport and decide if gliding is for them.

Our trial flights are held between 10 am and 1 pm on our flying days. Flights after 1 pm depend on aircraft availability, as they may be in use by our club members. Since we are a small club with limited resources, after 1 pm, we focus on training our students. However, we always love introducing enthusiastic individuals to our sport.

Please note that we do not accept walk-in purchases. You need to contact us first and buy an Intropack in advance. Keep in mind that there may be a waiting period.

To purchase your instructional Intropack or for more information please contact the club.

Joining the club

If, after completing the Intropack, you think, "This is for me. I need more of this," then talk with one of the club instructors or one of the committee members. They will be able to discuss options that will work for you.

The joining fee is $500, which covers our annual club membership fee and the mandatory Gliding New Zealand affiliation fee. These will vary between $150 and $400, depending on the month of the year you are joining. The remainder of the $500 goes into your flying account so you can start training immediately. We believe this fee structure makes gliding accessible to all who are interested.

As a not-for-profit club, we rely on everyone helping out to keep our costs to a minimum. On your path to flying, you will learn to "run the wing" on launches, oversee launching operations, operate the winch to launch gliders, and drive the retrieve cars to haul back landed gliders and the winch cables. It is usual to spend a whole day at the airfield, flying and helping on the ground. It is not a dull day for those who know how to fit into a team and work where it is needed. It also helps to carpool with other members, as travelling together is an excellent time to discuss informally the many aspects of glider flying.