When you look up at the sky and see a bird soaring effortlessly through the air, it’s hard not to feel jealous. While we’ve all flown in a plane, the peace and tranquillity that we dream of is so easily ruined by noisy engines, small windows and uncomfortable seats. But it is possible to leave behind the awkwardness of aeroplanes and experience flight in its purest form, by harnessing the power of the wind in a superlight glider. Gliding is the closest that we can get to imitating the flight of birds and you’ll find the sensation of speed and freedom, as well as the birds eye view from the large windows of the cabins, absolutely irresistible. Gliding can take you across the country and around the world, but we’re recommending the Southwest county of Devon as the perfect place to enjoy this aerial adventure.

Anyone who’s visited it comes away talking about the natural beauty of the landscape. From the Jurassic Coast in the South to the Bristol Channel in the North, crossing patchwork fields of rural areas and wide open spaces of rugged terrain, there’s so much to enjoy. But most visitors miss out on viewing this stunning landscape from above. A gliding experience is the best way to discover Devon from the skies, combining altitude and excitement, with the affordability of unpowered flight. There are several launch points around the county which use different take off methods, and offer a variety of stunning scenery to enjoy from the air.

Where can you go gliding in Devon?

• Honiton: The most popular gliding club in the area is at Dunkeswell Aerodrome near Honiton in the East of the county. Not far from the rocky Jurassic Coast to the South and the Blackdown Hills in neighbouring Somerset, this is a fantastic place for a flight. If you’re wondering how you get into the air to enjoy these marvels in the first place, the answer is by winch. The glider is attached to a long cable and the motorised winch pulls it down the runway, accelerating it to a high enough speed that the huge wings of the glider generate enough lift to defy the force of gravity and take the craft into the skies. By the time the cable is released, the glider has enough altitude and momentum to continue climbing, exploiting thermals and other updrafts to take you on soaring through the skies.

• On the edge of the wilds of Dartmoor is a small gliding club. Not far from Tavistock, a simple grass runway and handful of hangars and other buildings are all that’s needed to launch a glider into the skies. This club also uses the winch launch system, which means that you avoid the roar of a tug vehicle's engine in your ears as you take off and have nothing to distract you from the feeling of flying and the spectacular landscape that is revealed below you. The peaks and rocky outcrops of Dartmoor look otherworldly when seen from the air, and in the distance you’ll be able to see the two coastlines that border Devon to the North and South.

• At Eaglescott Airfield, gliders are towed into the air by a tug aircraft at the end of a 50 metre cable. The advantage of taking off in this way is that it’s not so dependent on weather conditions and gliding can take place at a variety of times of the day and the year. Eaglescott is in the North of the county, not far from the coast. You can contemplate views over the Bristol Channel, including Lundy island, and South Wales in a unique way here as the airfield has an open cockpit glider, allowing the wind to caress your face in the clear skies of the north of the region.

How long does this experience last?

- Professional gliders can use air currents to sustain flight for hours and cover over 1000 kilometres in a single journey. Your gliding experience will take place in a two seat glider with an experienced pilot, but they’re unlikely to take you on such a long flight for your first time. Taster flights usually start at 30 minutes,taking you up into the Devon skies, taking in the local area then returning to the runway. You can also go for a 45 minute or 1 hour long flight, extending the thrills of flying and seeing even more of the surrounding scenery. Another option is to buy a multi flight package, so that you can take two experiences in a single day.

- If you’ve experienced gliding before you’re probably looking for a more hands-on experience, and this is a great place to learn to pilot a glider yourself. A one day course will involve “ground school” as well as flights, but to really get your teeth into this sport we recommend a week long course, where you’ll receive tuition, learn to control the glider in flight, and help out with launches and other runway responsibilities.

Requirements to do this activity

This sport is open to a huge range of people, and gliding clubs are made up of enthusiastic members who want more and more people to share their passion, so you’re in for a warm welcome if you come. Even children can experience this wonderful way of flying. If they are 12 years old they can fly as a passenger in a glider, and with the right training they can go solo from as young as 14 years old.

Older aviators will be pleased to learn that there are no upper age limits on gliding, but there are one or two size restrictions in place. Firstly, the cockpit is a snug space, and taller people - approaching 2 metres tall - might find it difficult to get comfortable. Then there’s weight: as with any form of flying, weight is an important factor to consider, and individuals who are over 16 stone or 100 kilograms should contact gliding clubs before travelling to Devon to make sure that a flight will be viable.

If you want to learn how to glide, the main indicator of suitability is that if you’re able to drive a car, you should be able to control it. This means that high levels of fitness and complete able bodiedness are not requirements that can prevent you from experiencing the excitement of this activity.

If you want to fly like a bird, then this is the activity for you. We’re here to help you make it happen - just make a booking and we’ll take care of it!