Tow Training
All our training is now tow based initially, with hill training commencing once you've completed all your basic EP & CP training on the winch.
We have changed to using a winch for the following ten reasons:
1. It allows us many more days out training (our average so far is three times as many).
2. Wiltshire doesn't have hills for any wind direction between ENE and SSW. Even the local club fliers struggle for the same reason and have to go off to Wales on a regular basis to be able to fly.
3. Because we now have this bigger 'weather window' to use, it has sped up our training courses so that our students qualify far more quickly (now weeks rather than months). This is of course completely dependant on how regularly you book in.
4. You are no longer 'completely shattered' and falling asleep on your way home after climbing hills repeatedly to get your flights done.
5. Tow training will allow you to get many more flights in on any given day and to much greater heights (typically 500 - 800 ft). This obviously gives you much more airtime than the short hops you'll get with hill training.
6. If you can do your training during the week (when it’s less busy), you will qualify in a lot less time.
7. We can now complete your EP training in one or two days and your CP in three or four (depending on group size).
8. Previously, you were limited to how many times you could climb back up the hill - now you don't have that problem.
9. The winch course is very much 'task based', so you will complete more tasks each day than is physically possible with hill training.
10. The best bit of all – it has allowed us to bring our training prices DOWN for 2008!
Winch Endorsements
For qualified hill pilots looking to gain a tow rating, this can be done in just one day during the week. I'm afraid we can't offer this course at weekends presently because that is our busiest time. Hopefully, with a second winch that is currently being built for us, we will be able to offer it at weekends too by the end of summer (yes, we fly all year round - even more so now we use the winch).
