Hints and Suggestions for Your Flight
A Gliding Induction Course is trial flying lesson lasting between 20 - 30 minutes. There are three flights and each one builds on the last.
You will get the opportunity to fly the aircraft as well as getting a brilliant view.
You will be provided with a headset. This increases your comfort as the aircraft can be pretty noisy. You will also be able to speak with the instructor and listen to the radio.
When someone calls on the radio, the message will begin with our aircraft call sign. Each instructor has their own unique call sign which they will use just before you take off. All the VGS Callsigns start with "Alpha" followed by three numbers.
Passengers (including licensed co-pilots) should refrain from ``helping'' with the controls, or fiddling with the radios, unless you have been told by the instructor.
You will be told "You have control" - Take hold of the control and tell the Captain "I have control"
When the Captain wants control back, they will say "I have control" - You must then let go.
If you (accidentally or otherwise) flip a switch or bump a knob, you must let the instructor know. If we know, it is easy to correct.
Enjoy your flight and the view out of the windows is excellent. If you see another airplane nearby, then you can let the instructor know. We use the "clock" code to help point out where another aircraft is, for example "aircraft 3 o'clock high". This lets the instructor know you have seen an aircraft to your right and higher than you. Other terms for height are "Level" and "Low".
Before You Fly
Make sure you have no loose article in your pockets. If you use an inhaler, you must take it with you and available to reach it if necessary.
Please turn off your mobile phone before takeoff, and leave it off. It won't hurt the airplane, but it won't be usable as a phone and it messes up the network. (because it moves too fast and has a line-of-sight to too many base stations).
We advise you to bring sunglasses, even on cloudy or hazy days as we can climb into really bright sunshine. You can also bring a camera. We fly much lower than airliners, so the scenery is much more interesting. If desired, we can circle over points of interest. Remember to ask when you go to fly if you can take your camera.
Safety
Motion sickness is very rare as the plane is not bumpier than a car on a typical country road. Even in unusually turbulent weather, it is safe and the big problem is the fear of bumps is worse than the bumps themselves.
If you know you get sick easily, let the pilot know before the flight. If you do feel yourself getting even slightly queasy during the flight, let the pilot know immediately.
The staff cadets will point out where the airsickness bags we are never more than a few minutes from an airfield. We can land 'till you get over it and we will not mind as many pilots are sick at some stage. We don't mind.
If you have a cold or hay fever or any possibility of sinus congestion, let the pilot know before flight. Altitude changes cause pressure changes which can be very painful if you have a blocked sinus. And once again, if you feel sinus pain coming on during flight, let the pilot know, so we can plan an extra-gradual descent.
Do not smoke in or near the aircraft.
You can't easily see a spinning propeller, so don't go anywhere near an airplane when the engines are on.
Even when stopped, never put anything within the arc of the propeller.
Safety is always put first and you play an important part in remaining safe.