Useful Links

Here we have compiled links that you may find useful whether you are new to the sport or an experienced glider pilot. If you have suggestions for links others may find useful, please let us know.

Junior Gliding

Cotswold Gliding Club is a registered Junior Gliding Centre and is very proud of the work we do with youngsters in gliding. We train a number Juniors each year from ages as young as 12 to fly a glider (you can solo at age 14 in the UK!). Aside from the teaching we provide, the environment is excellent for team building and taking on responsibility as all members assist around the launch. The prospects for Juniors are enormous, with member going onto flying competitions, becoming instructors and making a career in aviation.

More information about Junior Gliding in the UK and the events they run can be found here - Junior Gliding

Note that Junior Gliding is very active on social media so search out their Facebook, Instagram and other feeds.

Licensing and Regulation

Gliding in the UK is governed by the British Gliding Association and Cotswold Gliding Club is a member club, approved to provide training from zero experience through solo and SPL and beyond. The BGA is approved by the CAA to manage flying training, aircraft airworthiness and licensing. You can see their website here:

www.gliding.co.uk

Flying Safely

Safety is of paramount importance within the sport of gliding and forms a large part of pilot training. There are many sources of information related to flight safety and our relationship with GA organisations helps to share information which is relevent regardless of the type of aircraft you fly. Take a look at these organisations:-

Astral Aviation is contracted by the CAA to provide GA safety promotion and workshops. Their information can be viewed as follows:-

GA Safety Hub: https://www.astralaviationconsulting.com/ga-safety-hub

Workshop Replays: https://www.astralaviationconsulting.com/safety-workshops

Decision Making Debriefs with Jon Hunt, The Flying Reporter: https://www.astralaviationconsulting.com/decision-making

The CAA provide a useful guide for all general aviation pilots including glider pilots called the SkyWay Code. The CAA also produce regular Safety Sense Leaflets which focus on particular aspects of flying, some of which would be useful to glider pilots.

Another independent provider of safety briefings and information is General Aviation Safety Council or GASCO. they produce a regular flight safety magazine and also provide safety briefings at various locations, usually through the autumn and winter.

Sat Nav Information

If you are using sat nav please use the postcode GL6 8HX to get to the entrance gate. This is a different postcode to the one for our postal address. Please note that there is no access to the airfield from the western side even though navigation apps might incorrectly direct you that way.

We're easy to find, on the A419, midway between Stroud and Cirencester in Gloucestershire. From most areas of the country that means approaching from Junction 15 of the M4 south-east of Swindon and then travelling via Cirencester (view on Google Maps), or from Junction 13 of the M5, via Stroud (view on Google Maps). If you are coming from the south the best way is from Junction 18 of the M4 (map).

The airfield entrance gate is remotely operated. To gain access to the airfield press the call button on the keypad to speak to security. Tell them you are visiting the gliding club and they will let you in.

Airfield Access

From Cirencester

Follow the signs for Stroud (A419). After about 6 miles you will come to the "Jolly Nice" cafe/shop (a former petrol station). Just after the Jolly Nice is a cross roads with a small slip road on the left. Take this slip road and go straight on down a lane. This lane is sign-posted Cotswold Gliding Club and leads on to the airfield.

From Stroud

Follow the signs for Cirencester (A419). On leaving Stroud you drive along a valley and after about 5 miles the road goes up a long hill. At the top of the hill there is a roundabout where you take the first exit. You will then see Aston Down airfield on your right. Continue past the airfield and turn right at a crossroads just before the "Jolly Nice" cafe/shop (a former petrol station). Turn immediately right again. This lane is sign-posted Cotswold Gliding Club and leads on to the airfield.

From Nailsworth

At the mini roundabout on the A46 in the centre of Nailsworth take the road sign-posted Minchinhampton. This is a right turn if you have come from the south. After 200m you go over a cattle grid and follow the road round to the right. Cows and horses roam Minchinhampton common and they have no road sense so take care. The road goes up a steep hill with several hairpin bends. This hill is passable with care when towing a glider trailer.

At the top of the hill carry on over Minchinhampton common until you get to a T junction. The signpost here is a local landmark called Tom Long's Post. Turn right and follow this road for about 3 miles until you get to a roundabout where you take the second exit. You will then see Aston Down Airfield on your right.

Continue past the airfield and turn right at a crossroads just before the "Jolly Nice" cafe/shop (a former petrol station). Turn immediately right again. This lane is sign-posted Cotswold Gliding Club and leads on to the airfield.

Public Transport

Aston Down is not well served by public transport. The most convenient railway station is Stroud, on the line between Swindon and Gloucester/Cheltenham. There are some direct services from London but otherwise you will have to change at Swindon. Taxis are usually available in Stroud which is about 6 miles from the airfield.

Alternatively, if you have a bicycle you can get off at Kemble and follow this 6 mile route through countryside to the airfield.