Essex Gliding Club
Essex Gliding Club is a UK-based company that offers a range of services related to aircraft rental, airstrips, clubs, hang gliding centers, outdoor activity organizers, transportation and shipping, culture, entertainment and events, sports and hobbies, and travel and hotels. The company is located in Suffolk, England, and is committed to providing high-quality services to its customers. Whether you're looking to rent an aircraft, organize an outdoor activity, or plan a trip, Essex Gliding Club has the expertise and resources to help you achieve your goals.
Introduction to Essex Gliding Club
Essex Gliding Club is a company that specializes in gliding and soaring. Founded in 1953, it is one of the oldest gliding clubs in the UK. The purpose of the company is to promote gliding as a sport and provide a safe and enjoyable experience for its members. What makes this company unique is its focus on education and training. It offers a range of courses and training programs for beginners and experienced pilots alike.Services & products
Essex Gliding Club offers a range of services, including aircraft rental services, hang gliding centers, and outdoor activity organizers. Customers can buy gliding courses and training programs, as well as gliding experiences for individuals or groups. The company also offers membership packages for those who want to become part of the club.Location
Essex Gliding Club is located at Ridgewell Airfield, Ashen Rd, Sudbury CO10 8JU, in Suffolk, England. The area is predominantly rural, with a few small towns nearby. Customers can expect to find agricultural businesses and local shops in the area. There are no public transportation options directly to the airfield, but the closest train station is Sudbury (Suffolk), which is approximately 6 miles away. Other nearby train stations include Braintree and Bures, both of which are approximately 9 miles away.Benefits
Customers should choose Essex Gliding Club because of its commitment to safety and education. The company has a team of experienced and qualified instructors who provide excellent training and guidance. It also offers a friendly and welcoming community of gliding enthusiasts who share a passion for the sport. Additionally, the location of the airfield provides excellent soaring conditions, making it an ideal place for gliding.Good to know
Customers should be aware that gliding is a weather-dependent sport, and flights may be canceled or rescheduled due to unfavorable weather conditions. Additionally, the airfield is located in a rural area, and there are limited facilities on-site. Customers should bring their own food and drinks, and dress appropriately for the weather.Reviews
Customers have praised Essex Gliding Club for its friendly and welcoming community, excellent training programs, and beautiful location. Many have also commented on the professionalism and expertise of the instructors. Overall, customers have had a positive experience with the company and would recommend it to others who are interested in gliding.Amenities
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hangar -
flight training
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instructor
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launch site
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landing site
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tow plane
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reserve parachute
FAQ
How much does a membership cost and what are the benefits?
Our membership fees vary depending on the type of membership you choose. We offer a range of memberships for juniors, students, and adults. Benefits include access to our gliders, training programs, and social events.Are there any restrictions or permits required for landing at the airstrip?
Yes, there are restrictions in place for landing at our airstrip, including the requirement for a valid pilot's license and a briefing before landing. We also have specific rules regarding noise levels and flight paths to ensure the safety of all users.Are there any amenities or facilities available at the airstrip for passengers or crew, such as restrooms or a waiting area?
Yes, we have restroom facilities available for passengers and crew, as well as a waiting area with seating and refreshments. We strive to make our airstrip as comfortable and welcoming as possible for all visitors.What are the safety measures and protocols in place to ensure the well-being of the customers?
Safety is our top priority at Essex Gliding Club. We have strict protocols in place for all aspects of our operations, including pre-flight checks, training programs, and emergency procedures. Our staff are highly trained and experienced to ensure the well-being of our customers at all times.How do you handle maintenance and repairs for your rental aircraft?
Our rental aircraft are regularly serviced and maintained by our team of experienced technicians. In the event of any repairs or maintenance issues, we have a system in place to ensure that the aircraft are quickly and efficiently repaired to minimize any disruption to our customers.Reviews
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Courtney Parks
Gliding at this location was an amazing experience! The instructors were excellent and provided excellent feedback for each flight. The facilities and gliders were well-maintained, and the staff welcomed my family and I with open arms. I'm already looking forward to my next flight!
28-02-2023
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Paul Chenery
Had a family visitor over from the USA who was (as a keen glider pilot stateside), most interested in experiencing a winch launch - which is extremely rare in the US. It was of course, an added attraction that the site was formerly a US Eighth AF location from which those exemplary young men flew B-17's against targets in Germany and occupied Europe, at great cost. One of the available gliders was also painted in the appropriate colours for the 381st BG, which was a nice touch I thought. The email communication was fairly straightforward and this was arranged with minimal difficulty. The club members were one of the most welcoming, friendly and informative bunch one could ever wish to meet. They went out of their way to chat to the 3 spectators (and the dog) and added to our experience enormously - and we were only there in the capacity of chauffeur. The winch launch was a sight to behold and our pilot thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Special thanks to Callum - whose instruction methods were highly praised by our visitor - and to club Legend Dave. If you have any interest in exploring the sport of gliding - and you live within reasonable distance, this is 100% where you should be going. I can't recommend this enough. The only downside is is that if you are relying on GPS to locate the club entrance it will definitely take you round in circles - so you might have to rely on it only to some extent - the final leg will be down to yourself, so the "What 3 words" app might be useful - the information is available on the Contact page of their website. Additionally, there is a Museum (a little way from the Gliding Club) that is specific to the 381st BG & also a memorial to those incredible young men who served in the Eighth Air Force.
28-10-2022
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Maneesh J
Callum was brilliant. Friendly and informative, and took me up for 3 winch launches to make sure I got enough flying time.
28-06-2022
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Francis James
A great place to glide! Instructors were excellent and gave great feed back after each flight. Well maintained facilities and gliders! They made me, my wife and new baby feel very welcome. I can't wait until I can go flying next
28-05-2022
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Allen
Superb club, very friendly, and has an amazing gliding simulator for the days when the weather is too bad to fly.
28-05-2021
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Andrew Hawes
I've already sent one review after a 5 day course. I returned the following weekend more than happy with the previous course. I went up twice with Dave the instructor, the first was a take off and landing the second was very nearly 30 minutes of soaring, in fact we had to make an effort to come down. Absolutely brilliant, then the icing on the cake Dave said I didn't have to pay as I'd missed one day of the course due to poor weather. I do not really have the time to take gliding up but I've got a feeling I've been well and truly hooked. Well done Essex gliding club and all the members that make it all happen. Andy Hawes
28-05-2019
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Jo Russell
I had the most wonderful experience, great pilot great weather looking forward to doing it again.
28-05-2019
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Phil Walsh
28-05-2018
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David Hertzberg
The Essex Gliding Club is always a pleasure to go. I always enjoy going there and when I leave I am generally happy
28-05-2018
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Cathy Dellar
I love flying here, it is a lovely site. Everyone is very friendly and the instructors are efficient and friendly. The site is well positioned for cross country flying too.
28-05-2016
