Gliding, My First Time

 I arrived at RAF Watton 611 Volunteer Gliding School, feeling a bit nervous, this being my first time gliding, arriving at the hanger where we received training and where the Grob Viking gliders stood. We took the gliders onto the runway.  I then climbed into the cockpit, worried about being dragged into the air by a 1,500-metre cable, wound by a turbo engine.  The captain of my glider told me not to be nervous. The slack on the cable was taken up, my mind went blank and silence prevailed.  A sudden force hit me as the cable was winched in. At about 1500 feet the cable was released, the captain told me that we would complete some circuits of the airfield, he pointed out landmarks as we circled the airfield, I had a superb view.  Then it was my turn to have a go, first of all he pitched the aircraft up and down in one movement while I followed him on the control stick, I then had to repeat what I had just been shown, moving the stick forward to pitch down and vice versa.  He taught me how to roll the aircraft by pushing pedals at my feet making the ailerons make the wings either dip left or right.  It was an exhilarating experience to be so free.  Finally we approached for landing, which did make me feel ill because of such a drop, after a smooth landing we came to a halt, still revelling from the experience.

Cpl Tom Shea

Last updated 26th October 2007 

©759 (Beccles) Squadron Air Training Corps, The Drill Hall, Peddars Lane, Beccles NR34 9UE