The Club
If you like flying you will LOVE gliding, there is no other activity like it
From the age of 14 gliding is an inspirational sport that can be enjoyed at all levels. At club level, to aerobatics, to international racing competitions - the sky is yours.
Gliders fly using the same air currents that birds use to fly. The aerodynamic efficiency of a well-designed glider enables speeds of up to 250 kph and heights of up to 40,000 feet.
You can strive to achieve records or enjoy gliding as a casual hobby, and a way of meeting new people. It can be an inexpensive way to get airborne and take in the birds eye view and discover a different perspective of the earth and the sky.
Of course, it is also the most silent and graceful way of flying since there is no engine noise. You are using mother nature and your skill to stay up there
Our Club
Our club offers four gliders for club members to use. We have two training gliders; an ASK21B - GCP and a Twin Astir - GME. We also have two single seat gliders; a PW5 - GSD and an ASW28 - GSS, which you move onto once you can fly solo.
Our club operates with a Pawnee 25/235 tow plane only. Our instructors are available to you all the time. They are happy to teach you the basics to advanced soaring.
The airfield is private and the club is responsible for all flying operations and maintenance. Taupo has excellent conditions for gliding. High altitude, long distance and long duration flights are all possible from our airfield.
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays are official club days, the other days are by arrangement.
Subscription Rates
From 1st April to 31st March, annual subscription rates are:
Full Flying member $450
Associate Flying member $75 (must be a full member of another club)
Social member $50
Plus $50 annual insurance levy if flying club aircraft.
We offer discounts for Junior Flying members:
Junior Flying member (under 19) GNZ Affiliation fee only $125
Plus $50 annual insurance levy if flying club aircraft.
For those joining after April the club rates will be "pro rata" for the time remaining in the financial year.
Club Member Rates
Glider charges $60 per hour or we have a scheme where you can pre-pay $900 for 30 hours of flying time.
The aero tow is charged to the release height.
Aero tow launch based on height in hundreds of feet above sea level plus a $30 flag fall.
Therefore a tow would be:
2500 feet $55
3000 feet $60
4000 feet $70
5000 feet $80
Conditions apply. Different rates apply to visiting overseas pilots.
Contact Club Manager
Thomas Anderson
07 378 5627 or 0274 939 272
Club Fleet
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GCP - ASK21B
The ASK-21B is built by Alexander Schleicher of Germany from the most modern of synthetic materials, the 17-metre two seat trainer is easy to handle for beginner pilots but also has cross country and aerobatic capability.
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GME - Twin Astir
The Twin Astir is a great fibreglass two seat trainer with retractable undercarrige and is great for soaring, thermalling and cross country flight with a glide ratio of 38:1.
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GSD - PW5
The PW-5 is a single seat World Class glider which beginner pilots will convert to after completing solo flights in the trainers. It is easy to handle and capable of giving new pilots their first solo cross country flights.
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GSS - ASW28
A single-seat shoulder-winged composite construction sailplane with a T-shaped horizontal tailplane and 15 metre wingspan. The upper wing surface has Schempp-Hirth brake flaps. As all Standard Class sailplanes, the ASW-28 does not have flaps or other lift-enhancing devices. It has winglets and a retractable undercarriage. Capable of carrying large amounts of water ballast, it has a wide range of wing loadings for weak and strong soaring weather and is an ideal cross country sail plane.
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TPO - Pawnee
The Piper Pawnee aircraft is the clubs tow plane. It has excellent power to weight ratio and is extremely safe and very reliable, performing thousands of tows for the club each year.