Now it begins, your first day as a club member. You remember what they told you about coming early, and arrive at the club house just before 8.00 am. People are already there so you introduce yourself as a new member and someone shows you where the daily flying list is and you put your name down and then collect your new logbook and training card from the office. Today's duty instructor appears and briefs everyone on which end of the runway will be used today, where to put the winch, etc. and then its out to the hangar to unpack the sailplanes. Each one brought out carefully by four or more people under the supervision of the instructor whilst the duty launch marshal organises the set up of the field and equipment, all of which must have a daily inspection to make sure they are serviceable, especially the sailplanes, inspected by suitably qualified pilots who have to sign for them. You will be given a small part to play in this hive of activity and told to ask anyone about anything you are not sure about. Don't worry, someone will be watching you at all times!

     

      At the launch point you will be so busy helping to retrieve landed sailplanes from the field and pushing them back to the flight line that you will be surprised to hear your name being loudly called. It’s your turn to fly next! You will be shown how to put on a parachute (and how to use it) and walked out to the aircraft where the instructor will ask you for your training card so you tell him this will be your first training flight. Usually he will be already sitting in the rear seat and will ask someone to help you get strapped into the front. The instructor will demonstrate the pre flight checks and tell you what to expect from your first winch launch. The launch marshal hooks on the cable, calls out "Take up Slack” and then "All Out".

The aircraft starts to move and quickly leaves the ground, and as the speed increases, is gently rotated into the climbing attitude of about 45 degrees. This appears to be very steep the first time, but you will soon become accustomed to it. At the top of the launch, about 1200 ft, the cable is released and you are flying. Told to put your hands and feet on the controls, the instructor will have trimmed the aircraft to fly hands off at 45 knots and you will get your first shot at flying straight and level, not as simple as you would think as it is very easy for a beginner to overcorrect any displacement due to slight turbulence. You may also be introduced to a gentle turn or two. While you have been doing this, the sailplane has been getting lower and lower until a voice from the rear seat says "I have control” and it is time to return to earth. You relinquish the controls and watch and listen as the instructor talks you round the circuit, making a final turn at 400 ft or so, opening the air brakes and smoothly landing. People arrive and quickly push you to the back of the flight line where you queue up for your next flight. It is usual to do three flights in a row for continuity of instruction, and while you are making your way to the front of the flight line, your instructor will tell you your progress, what faults he observed and how to put them right.

       So now you get to do it all over again, but this time with some idea of what to expect. You will not be allowed to do the actual launch yourself until you can control the aircraft without too much help. The second flight will go much better and will be over much too quickly for you, but there is no lift today, and six or seven minutes a flight is about it. Soon your third flight is over, too and your instructor will brief you on what you have achieved and what you need to work on, in case your next session is with someone different. He will tick off and sign the exercises you did today in your training card, and that’s it, till next time. Now its back to helping at the launch point, until its time to put the aircraft back in the hangar.

      
      With all the equipment safely packed away, now is the time to relax a while in the clubhouse with a drink and a chat to new friends. Much of what you need to know can be gained here; don't be afraid to ask questions. Remember that every single member of the club started where you are now, and within a few weeks you will appear to be an old hand to the next newcomer.