Dublin Gliding Club has announced the launch of its new identity as the Leinster Gliding Centre. The new identity was officially unveiled by Minister of State Martin Heydon T.D. at Gowran Grange Airfield located outside Naas, Co Kildare on 25th March.
Dublin Gliding Club has been in existence since 1952. Adding to Ireland’s rich aviation history, the club’s founders included two former foes – one being a former Luftwaffe pilot and another an RAF pilot, both having flown through the war. It is wonderful to know that, following the war, they soared peacefully in Irish skies while being among the founders of the gliding club.
Having operated from various locations, including Baldonnel, for many years, it was in the late 1970s that the Club moved to their present home of Gowran Grange Airfield, beside Punchestown Racecourse. For historic reasons, it retained the name of Dublin Gliding Club despite being firmly located in County Kildare. Now, over 40 years later, it is acknowledged by all that the time has come to change the name of the Club to something more reflective of its location, operational presence and region. To this end, the club is now The Leinster Gliding Centre.
Minister of State Martin Heydon, TD, speaking at the launch of the Club’s new identity noted the Leinster Gliding Centre’s ambition to promote ever-greater inclusivity. “The Leinster Gliding Centre’s participation in a Trinity College research programme into women’s experiences in a gliding club will, hopefully, be a great catalyst for this and encourage greater participation by women in the sport of gliding and aviation in general.” Minister Heydon continued: “with STEM subjects being so important, I note the significant role that aviation, including gliding, plays in such subjects. Gliding is a superb gateway into the world of aviation and the careers that it offers”.
Rich History
Dublin Gliding Club, now Leinster Gliding Centre, was founded in 1952 and is today the only remaining gliding club in the Republic of Ireland. There were 12 founding members, while two in particular draw significant attention: Ken Mellor and Fredi Heinzl. Ken Mellor was an English RAF pilot and instructor who moved to Ireland after the war. Fredi Heinzl was a Luftwaffe pilot who was interned in Ireland when his aircraft made a forced landing and chose to stay after the war. Despite their seemingly incongruous backgrounds both had a long and active association with the club. Leinster Gliding Centre is today the centre of excellence for gliding in Ireland and is a Declared Training Organisation (through Dublin Gliding Club CLG) with the Irish Aviation Authority.
Locations
The club was originally based in Weston Airfield but by 1954 operations had moved to Baldonnel (Casement) Aerodrome allowing launches to 2,000 feet and even as high as 4,000 feet on occasion. At that time, operations moved to The Curragh during the summer months. In 1978 the club commenced the move to Gowran Grange, beside Punchestown, and has operated there full-time since 1980.
Records achieved
The Club operates an Annual Safari to the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry each Autumn since 1970. During the 1991 safari, Brian Connolly identified that weather conditions might permit an attempt at the Irish Altitude record. On 20th September 1991, Brian received clearance from Shannon ATC and soared to 24,000 feet. This is all the more impressive in that it commenced from a car tow launch that launched him to just 900 feet with the remaining 23,100 feet being entirely achieved through his skills as a soaring pilot.
In June 2014, Kevin Houlihan identified that weather conditions were such that they might permit an attempt at the Irish distance record. On 22nd June 2014 Kevin achieved a flight of 514 kilometres in his glider, launched from Gowran Grange Airfield. This flight took him 7 hours and 37 minutes and stands as the longest-distance flight by a glider in Ireland.
Representing Ireland
Members of the Dublin Gliding Club have regularly attended regional gliding competitions across Europe. This has included fielding teams at European Championship and World Championship levels.
How Gliders Work
Glider flights in Gowran Grange rely on an aerotow launch mechanism whereby a powered aeroplane tows the glider up to altitude, usually 2,000 feet. The glider then releases from the aero tow and commences its gliding flight. While training flights are usually kept to 30-45 minutes, the trained and licenced glider pilot will continue to soar for many hours once the weather conditions are appropriate.
Much of the gliding that takes place from Gowran Grange relies on “thermals” which are columns of rising air. The trained soaring pilot learns to identify where these thermals are located and move from one to another in order to fly where they want to go. In using the forces of nature in this way, there are many similarities between the sport of gliding and that of sailing.
Glider fleet
Leinster Gliding Centre, as they are now known, has a fleet of five gliders and two tow planes
- Two ASK-21 two-seat training gliders
- Two Ka8 single-seat gliders
- One ASK-13 two-seat training glider
- Both tow planes are 180hp Piper Super Cubs
Who can fly gliders?
Anyone from the age of 14 upwards can learn to fly gliders
Can I move on to fly-powered aeroplanes?
There will be further training required on engines and powered flight but much of what is learned by the student glider pilot will remain relevant. The Leinster Gliding Centre have several past members who have gone on to achieve their Commercial Pilot’s Licence and fly professionally.
Licensing
Glider pilots in Europe train to achieve their Sailplane Pilot’s Licence or SPL. This requires the student pilot to pass a practical flying test to demonstrate they have the required piloting skills and also to pass various theory exams in subjects such as Meteorology, Air Law, Flight Theory and Human Performance. The Dublin Gliding Club (now Leinster Gliding Centre) is a Declared Training Organisation with the Irish Aviation Authority
They provide both ground school training across these subjects to all members and flying training from a corps of experienced, dedicated instructors. Ground School is provided at no additional cost to members. All instructors give their time voluntarily as do their tow plane pilots. As all aircraft, ground and facilities maintenance is done by the members, costs are kept low.
For more information about the Leinster Gliding Centre, please visit their website at www.leinsterglidingcentre.ie
Main photo: Councillor Seamus Moore, Kildare Co Co, Réada Cronin TD, Councillor Fintan Brett, Cathaoirleach of Co Kildare, Councillor Vanessa Liston, Kildare Co Co, Councillor Colm Kenny, Kildare Co Co, Martin Heydon TD, Minister of State, Martin Heydon TD, Minister of State, Trevor McHugh, Chairman, Leinster Gliding Centre. Photo by Mick O’Reilly.
