Beaufort Gliding Club, located in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia, is a sports club offering thrilling gliding experiences in Melbourne. Whether you're seeking excitement, beauty, new challenges, or new friends, gliding provides a lifetime of pleasures. With modern gliders, you can explore the skies for an entire day, covering distances of two to three hundred kilometres before returning home as the sun sets. The club believes that becoming a safe glider pilot is not difficult and welcomes individuals of all ages, starting from as young as 15 to fly solo.
Many newcomers go on to fly cross-country and enjoy the exhilaration of finding up-currents of air and viewing the world from above. For those who enjoy competition, gliding offers a mentally and physically demanding individual sport. However, the joy of gliding often comes from simply flying peacefully like a bird in the freedom of the air and sharing the enthusiasm for the sport with friends.
Beaufort Gliding Club offers trial instructional flights, allowing individuals to experience the exhilarating three-dimensional world of glider flying. These flights are not only for aspiring glider pilots but also for anyone who wishes to enjoy the experience of flying. Further details can be found on their website under the “Services” link or by visiting Melbourne Soaring.
The club has a rich history, having provided initial and advanced training in glider flying safely for over 60 years. It was established in Melbourne in 1942 by employees of the Department of Aircraft Production, Beaufort Division, who built Bristol Beaufort bombers for the Royal Australian Air Force. Beaufort Gliding Club is affiliated with the Gliding Federation of Australia and operates as a non-profit organisation incorporated for the protection of its members. Training is carried out by Gliding Federation of Australia authorised instructors, provided free of charge.
Flying gliders as a member of the club does not require a licence.
The aim of Beaufort Gliding Club is to encourage participation in all aspects of gliding, with a focus on collaborative efforts to keep costs as low as possible. This ensures that the sport remains affordable to a wide range of individuals within the community.
For more detailed or specific inquiries, the club can be contacted via telephone or email. Peter Champness, the main point of contact, can be reached at (03) 9497-2048 or plchampness@gmail. Com. In case of emergency or operational matters, please contact Christopher Thorpe, the Chief Flying Instructor, at 0414 476 151.
Postal inquiries can be sent to 66 Waterdale Road, Ivanhoe Vic 3079.
Additionally, the club has an ongoing project called the Hornet GT, which is a glider towplane. This project aims to lower running costs by building a kit aircraft designed by Ole Hartmann of Australian Aircraft Kits. More information and detailed images can be found on their website.
Beaufort Gliding Club welcomes anyone interested in gliding to join their community, offering a chance to experience the thrill and joy of flight amidst the beautiful Australian skies.