An introduction to cross country gliding

A day out gliding over 300km in May 2017 (preparation clips from 2016) from London Gliding Club, England, UK. 1 minute of preparation and 7 minutes of gliding.
Glider is a Ventus bT capable of gliding 50 miles for every mile of altitude. This flight is from Dunstable, to King's Lynn on the Norfolk coast, then Morten in the Marsh, Gloucestershire, before returning to Dunstable.

[@chrishamilton4999]

Thanks for the video, Ben. I am 5th Generation Australian (my family having emigrated from Dover in 1836), have only been to London briefly, but I just love those English names! It must be hidden in the genes! I am also a glider pilot, but wouldn't want those parachute things around an airstrip that I frequented..

[@komischeszeichen]

I like your video. The only thing that looks scary to me is the landing. Maybe it is me not understanding where the runway is, but it looks like a big square where you land wherever you like. And after touch down you cannot see where you are going to caused by the curvature of the area.

[@jayderrett7362]

@tiestu I landed there a couple of years ago during an ICL . That dip really grabs your attention on your first circuit in!

[@babyirisfakeaway]

This is brilliant. I've recently been thinking about taking some gliding lessons at Dunstable. I never realised you could go cross country over such distances...I always assumed it was just up, circle a few times and down again only. This definitely inspired me to a long term goal of cross country gliding.
Is it possible to hitch a ride on a trip like this with an experienced pilot if you join the club and take some lessons?

[@flyingben78]

Hi Damian. Sorry for the delay, I’m weak at picking up on comments. You absolutely can come to Dunstable for lessons and experiences flights. And learning to fly cross country is absolutely part of that journey. Give the office a call and join in when you are ready. It’s a very welcoming club.

[@jzak613]

Good video. Looks like an army of paragliders working the ridge (at 7:20). Didn't hear the Flarm so I assume they don't carry them ? Might be messy if the ridge stops working and everyone is landing.

[@kinocchio]

How long would it roughly take for someone to complete solo bronze and cross country stages and become a fully qualified glider pilot?

[@oskarniessen7493]

Completely depends, I've known people to go from 0 to getting their first diamond badge in under a year. Normally it takes about 2 years though (to go cross country) for people working with regular time and budget constraints.

[@braininavatnow9197]

So where's the "how to"?