Waikerie Gliding Club

From WikiGlide

Waikerie Gliding Club (WGC) celebrated it's 70th year of operation in 2007.

WGC flies from the Waikerie aerodrome, about 200 km north-east of Adelaide. The club's facilities include a well-equipped clubhouse with bar, kitchen and accommodation, and a large hangar. In previous years, the Club ran a full-time commercial gliding operation, but has once again decided to focus it's attention on club operation.

Each summer, there are some "huge Waikerie days" [example] in which one can reach above 10,000 feet with thermals in excess of 10knots lift. Waikerie is primarily a flatland thermalling site, although there can be wave lift from the Adelaide hills. The Australian Clubclass comp was run at Waikerie in 2004 and 2005 and the world comp has been held there once in the past.

Flying operations are usually held every 2nd to 3rd weekend, with several weeks of full time operation during the summer.

The club usually holds a Performance Week/Coaching Week during the summer months, in which pilots will come and fly with the hope of achieving a personal best, and younger ("junior") pilots are coached in cross country flying. Both events commonly have a daily lecture held by several different experienced pilots, on various subjects.

Launching is by aerotow, using the club's 250 hp Pawnee, VH-WGC.

WGC's fleet includes these gliders:

  * Grob Twin Astir VH-IKO, VH-IKU
  * Grob Astir CS VH-WUN, Astir CS77 VH-KYS
  * Glasflugel Hornet VH-GMU
  * Rolladen Schneider LS-4 VH-XOK, LS-7 VH-XJB
  * Schempp Hirth Discus VH-GHP

Some privately owned gliders can be available:

  * Hoffmann Dimona VH-NHB
  * Glasflugel Mosquito VH-FQK

The club has a website here