Windrushers Gliding Club
The Glider Fleet
In line with many other clubs, the Windrushers Gliding Club makes use of the dependable K13 as its basic trainer and now owns three of these aircraft. These dual-control two-seater gliders are the workhorses on many airfields, perfect for first timers and those just going solo. We have also recently added an Astir CS for solo pilots. And, through the generosity of several club members, there are some privately owned gliders that are available for use. Details of these are available at the Club, including the experience level required to fly these gliders.
In particular, WGC sometimes has the use of the gliders owned by Oxford University Gliding Club (who we pay whenever we use their aircraft). Their K21, Astir and K8 occasionally supplement our own gliders when we are busy. The K21 is a glass-fibre two-seat trainer.
A privately owned Capstan two-seater and a Skylark single seater are also generously made available at no cost to the club by one of our members.
About the gliders
The two-seater K13 (first three images) has a tubular steel frame fuselage of great strength, which then has wooden battens placed over this to give it a more streamlined shape. These are then covered on canvas to keep the weight down. The wings have a wooden spar with wooden formers to give it its general shape, and have a plywood leading edge for a more accurately shaped aerofoil. These aircraft are designed to withstand loads of +5.5g and -2.5g with ease.
Members start their training in these aircraft, and have their early solo flights in them. As they porgress, they can move on to the K8 or Skylark, courtesy of the private owners. After gaining more experience, they can fly the Astir CS, eventually carrying out cross-country flights.
The single seater Astir CS (fourth image) is constructed from glass-fibre reinforced resin, and is an idea glider for those seeking to further their flying skills and tackle cross-country flying. Pilots frequently fly their first ever cross-country in this aircraft and can easily complete round trips of over 300km in it.
Some of our members have flown in Regional and National competitions in this glider, which can be rented for the week at a low rate. This glider is well instrumented, including a GPS navigation system and a flight recorder.
