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Photos by Rob Read<br />
I grew up watching John Noakes undertaking all<br />
kinds of derring-do. Valerie Singleton, as fabulous<br />
as she was, tended to remain on the Blue Peter<br />
couch. So when Jim Ball of the East Sussex Gliding<br />
Club contacted us to say the club struggles to persuade<br />
women into the cockpit, having a go seemed<br />
the right thing to do, even though I was terri�ed.<br />
And so we arrive in Ringmer on a sunny Sunday<br />
afternoon and turn into the air�eld car park just<br />
beyond Raystede. Jim greets us and we clamber into<br />
his car. “The weather conditions are perfect”, he<br />
explains as we drive round to the other side of the<br />
�eld, passing an elegant white glider. “That’s the<br />
one you’ll be going in.” My stomach lurches, and<br />
even more so when I sign a consent form. Steve,<br />
the deputy-chief �ying instructor, will be �ying<br />
the plane that tows my glider up (you can also be<br />
launched via the winch – much the same principle<br />
as a kite). My instructor is Terry, who will sit<br />
behind me, operating the dual controls. Everyone is<br />
friendly and encouraging.<br />
Jim helps me into a parachute, which is heavier than<br />
I expect. I clamber into the cockpit (not an elegant<br />
procedure, I’m glad I heeded his advice and wore<br />
trousers) and get strapped into the bucket seat. In<br />
front of me is a dashboard of instruments, a joystick<br />
and foot pedals, which he suggests I don’t touch.<br />
Jim shuts the roof and Terry climbs in behind.<br />
Steve starts his engine and taxis forward. The blue<br />
rope linking us tightens and we start moving too,<br />
WWW.VI VA LEWES .CO M<br />
GLIDING<br />
Two wings and a prayer<br />
WE TRY OUT<br />
faster and faster over the grass until we both take<br />
off. Terry keeps the glider on an even keel as we<br />
climb, heading slowly and steadily up to 2,500 feet.<br />
The views around us are astounding and I’m experiencing<br />
con�icting emotions. Anxiety every time<br />
a thermal makes the glider ‘sink’ slightly and pride<br />
at my courage in doing this, although my mouth is<br />
dry. As we approach <strong>Lewes</strong>, the plane releases us<br />
and I worry we’ll plummet. We don’t, of course,<br />
although we do slow down a little. Then Terry<br />
suggests I try my hand at steering. I take the joy<br />
stick and manoeuvre it gently, as instructed. The<br />
glider is very responsive and we turn a full circle.<br />
I’m pleased I tried it, but also happy to hand control<br />
back. My favourite part is looking down and seeing<br />
beautiful <strong>Lewes</strong> below. We spot the �eld where<br />
Rock in the Bog is taking place, at the green of the<br />
Pells pool and my house nearby. The pattern made<br />
by the Heart of Reeds looks amazing from the air.<br />
We head back to the air�eld and land, safe and<br />
sound. I clamber out to help guide the tractortowed<br />
glider back to the right place, still wobbly but<br />
very proud of myself. Motherhood made me riskaverse,<br />
and I feel I’ve proved something by doing<br />
this, despite, or perhaps because of the fear. And<br />
the Sussex Gliding lot are a lovely bunch. None get<br />
paid, but they are huge enthusiasts, keen to encourage<br />
more people to get involved.<br />
Emma Chaplin<br />
Trial lesson £90. www.sussexgliding.co.uk<br />
93
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