Army Gliding Club (Wyvern)

Army Gliding Club (Wyvern) is a United Kingdom-based nonprofit organisation and registered charity (Charity number 1211787) dedicated to promoting gliding as a recognized sport and adventurous training activity. The club operates primarily to support the efficiency and well-being of the Armed Forces of the Crown, although membership and services also extend to retired service personnel, Ministry of Defence civilians, and by exception, other civilians[1][2][5].

Overview

Wyvern is the largest gliding club within the Army Gliding Association, providing affordable and accessible gliding opportunities. Its mission encompasses delivering high-quality gliding experiences, training, and air experience flights. The club fosters a community of enthusiasts ranging from novices to competition pilots, offering pathways from initial flying lessons all the way to advanced competitive flying[2][5].

Membership and Activities

Membership is primarily open to serving and retired members of all three branches of the UK Armed Forces and MoD civilians. The club also occasionally invites other civilians to join. All instruction is conducted by British Gliding Association (BGA) qualified instructors, ensuring high safety and training standards. Wyvern provides air experience flights for anyone interested in discovering the excitement of gliding, whether military or civilian[2][5].

Training and Courses

Training is mostly conducted over weekends, but the club also runs intensive courses, each lasting five to six days. These courses are designed to offer concentrated flying instruction, enabling some student pilots to achieve solo flight within the training period. Wyvern runs four intensive six-day courses between April and September for serving personnel, along with a separate five-day basic course tailored for prospective civilian members. These courses are considered excellent value and provide robust progression from beginner levels to solo and competition flying[2].

Fleet and Facilities

Army Gliding Club (Wyvern) boasts one of the best glider fleets in the South West of England, featuring a wide range of aircraft suitable for beginners, solo flyers, cross-country pilots, and competition participants. Flights operate out of Upavon Airfield, a military airfield primarily used for training purposes, offering excellent facilities conducive to gliding activities[2].

Charitable Purpose

The charity’s activities primarily aim to promote the efficiency of the Armed Forces and provide services to children, young people, and people with disabilities through access to adventurous and sporting activities. The club’s operations span throughout England, supporting its charitable objectives related to defense efficiency and youth engagement in sports[1][3].

This combination of military affiliation, experienced instruction, comprehensive training, and quality facilities makes Army Gliding Club (Wyvern) a distinctive institution in UK gliding and adventurous training communities.

[1] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1211787&subId=0 [2] https://wyvern.armygliding.co.uk [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5232982/full-print [4] https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/CE038852 [5] https://members.gliding.co.uk/club/wyvern-gliding-club-2/