Gliding in Australia is based on a club system. There are 85 clubs in 5 regions nationally. The sport is self administering under the auspices of the government regulator CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Administration). Gliding has well evolved systems and structure having its roots back to the 1930's. It is a mature sport, used as a model for other recreational aviation.

Most clubs operate every weekend weather permitting and they are scattered around the country mostly within 2 hours of a capital city. You can find the club nearest to you by selecting Gliding Clubs from our menu.

Most clubs provide free training and coaching, club aircraft and facilities, launching services and many have on site accommodation. Being based on a club environment much of the daily involvement and activity relies on volunteers to get and keep the operation going. This approach keeps the cost of flying low in relation to most other aviation sports. If you like meeting new people in a friendly and relaxed setting, all sharing a common love of flight, then this might be the sport or pass time for you.

Gliding attracts people from all walks of life, so the variety of backgrounds and skills is rich, making the sport interesting and varied. Because gliding is not a physically demanding sport it appeals to youth and adults and can be equally performed by women and men. Gliding at the elite end does require stamina and concentration, but so do many sports. The sport of gliding has many facets and disciplines. They can broadly be split into three main categories. Airworthiness - Maintenance, servicing and repairs of aircraft and equipment Operations - Teaching people to fly and maintaining safety standards Sport - Cross country training, racing, competition and coaching

It is fair to say that gliding is an open community. It has a strong social network and because it works and relies on nature itself, it is both green and ever changing. It is often said that no one flight is the same, even when traveling a familiar route. Reward is received merely by being in the air, using the elements to sustain flight and go places, or it can be by teaching a new member to go solo and have total control over their own destiny. Reward can also be winning a championship or indeed by getting home at the end of the day after a long flight.

Gliding is a very personal experience and it means different things to different pilots. One thing is for sure - you haven't experienced flight until you have experienced gliding. Take a trial flight today and see what it's all about. If you like it and want more, take out a short term membership whilst you size up the club and the people and get a little more exposure to one of the most dynamic forms of flight.