You can start you gliding scholarship once you have turned 16 years of age and you meet all of the specifications.

You can do one of two courses, the first is a week long course where you spend an entire week with your local gliding school and do all of the training in one go. The other type of scholarship you can do is one where you attend each weekend, you can either attend on a saturday or a sunday dependant on when you're free so its really flexible.

Most people when they first start their training are really nervous, I know I was, but as soon as you start and you are up in the air the feeling just goes. Training time varies from person to person but you all do the same training and really get to know the person you fly with. There are two aspects to a scholarship its not all just gliding. There is a small test but if you pay attention and listen it shouldn't be a problem. On average you do between 8 and 10 hours of training where you are actually in the air, then when the staff at the gliding school think you are ready you may get the oppurtunity to go solo.

After approximately 9 hours of training I was able to go solo. I had been gliding all day so didn't really expect to be going solo, in a way this helped me because I didn't have the chance to get nervous. My solo has been the most amazing experience of my life, as I was gliding the sun was beginning to set. You never really notice the view when you are gliding with someone else but when you are on your own it is a completely different story.

After having completed a circuit I landed safely and was awarded my wings the same day. I was shaking so much when I got out of the aircraft because it was such a thrilling experience. I thoroughly enjoyed my gliding scholarship and would recommend it to anybody interested. Iti s one of the best feelings you can have and definately worth it.