Darlton Gliding Club

Club Logo

Darlton Gliding Club (DGC) is a gliding club located in Nottinghamshire near the village of Tuxford.

Location

The address of the club is Darlton Gliding Club, Darlton Road, Darlton, near Tuxford, Nottinghamshire, NG22 OTH. Click here for a map.

History

Darlton Gliding Club was formed during June 2007 by the merger of the former Newark and Notts Gliding Club and the Dukeries Gliding Club when both of these clubs lost use of their airfields. Darlton is now the only gliding club in the county of Nottinghamshire. The Dukeries club had been based at Gamston but when they lost the use of this site they were able to acquire the land at Darlton. Subsequently the Newark and Notts club lost the use of their airfield at Winthorpe when the adjoining showground did not renew the lease. After a short period of ground-sharing a formal decision was made to merge the two clubs into one and the new Darlton Gliding Club was formed.

Initially there were no facilities on site - gliders were rigged and derigged each day - so the priority was to erect a hangar. A portacabin was also installed to act as a clubhouse. Much work has been put into improving the grass, and it is now able to support year round operations. The club has an on-going plan for developing the site with a new clubhouse, and better provision of facilities.

The runway is oriented 05/23 (into the prevailing wind) and the area offers good soaring opportunities. Soaring flights have been achieved in every month from February through to November.

Operations

The club is run on a non-commercial basis by the members for the members. All non-flying activities are shared on a voluntary basis and instruction to ab-initio pilots is provided free of charge by a number of club members who are qualified BGA Instructors. Flying normally takes place on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays (weather permitting).

Club members can store and fly their own gliders or they may hire one of the club gliders. Training is carried out in the club 2-seater K13 gliders.

Launching takes place using a winch. Using this method the glider is attached via a cable running the full length of the runway to the winch; the club have two of these, one LPG powered and one diesel powered. To launch the glider the cable is wound in, pulling the glider forward. As soon as flying speed is reached the aircraft takes off and climbs steeply. The height achieved is dependent on many factors (length of cable, wind speed etc.) but at Darlton heights of 1200 to 1500 feet are usual.

At present aerotows are not possible due to planning restrictions, however motor glider operations are permissible and a group of members have a Falke motor glider based on the site.

The club actively encourages new members and offers visitors air experience flights and half-day or one-day courses. Young people are also welcome - solo flight is possible at 16 so you can fly before you can drive - and it's not expensive either!

Club Fleet

The current active fleet consists of:

• K13 - Two seat trainer
• K13 - Two seat trainer
• K8 - single seat basic
• Janus - Two seat advanced
• Sport Vega - Single seat advanced

See also

• British Gliding Association

External links

• Darlton Gliding Club web-site

Coordinates: 53°14′54″N 0°51′12″W / 53.24833°N 0.85333°W / 53.24833; -0.85333