Southampton University Gliding Club. We are a student run society with the purpose to introduce students to
the thrill of soaring and allow advanced pilots to achieve new heights!
We go gliding, of course! Our members often start with no experience, and we go flying each weekend; mostly to
enjoy ourselves, but also to learn about the sport. We have had members progress from pre-solo all the way to
(nearly) instructor level in their time in the society. We also go on expeditions to other clubs and try to
get involved with the nationwide gliding community wherever possible!
We always try to attend the main gliding events for junior glider pilots around the country. UK Junior Gliding
always organise three meets in the Winter (the Winter Series), as well as a National Competition (Junior
Nationals) and some training events during the summer too (Summer Series). In addition, there is an Inter-Uni
Gliding competition held each year. Aside from the Junior Nationals, these events are open to everyone. They
are hugely fun, and allow us to experience new types of flying around the country.
In addition, we also try to organise a trip specifically for SUGC each year.
Yes, you must be enrolled as a current student at the University of Southampton as we are funded by the
Student Union. Alumni and students of other
universities should contact their own university or the British Gliding Association to find out if they have
their own university society. Alternatively, you can join Shalbourne as a junior member and we’ll see you
there!
As a society, we make absolutely no discrimination on age, gender, race, subject studied or anything like
that. The only limitations are related to safety or aviation laws and are rules which would apply to any
gliding club.
We have to limit the number of members each year. Of course we want everyone to be a part of our society, but
we have to find a balance between the number of people we introduce to flying and the frequency each member
can fly to be able to progress. If we get full, we will make a waiting list and whenever we have free spaces
to fly each weekend, we contact those people.
We have a committee that includes a Captain, Treasurer, Secretary, Events Officer, Publicity Officer and
Social Secretary. The committee is elected each year by the current members, and is made up entirely of
student members.
SUGC is able to fly whenever Shalbourne is open. This is typically one weekday (usually Wednesday) as well as
both days at the weekend, as well as any Bank Holidays. We are there all day, from 8am until it goes dark, and
try to fly as much as possible in that time.