About Us

Only an hour’s drive from Cape Town, gliding from our club offers an opportunity to experience the beauty of the world renowned Western Cape mountain ranges from the air.

We have more than 100 members and operate on a non-profit basis over weekends and on public holidays.

In summer we have many visiting international glider pilots that visit our club and come to enjoy our excellent flying conditions.

Since 1949

Cape Gliding Club was formed after the second World War.

Second Largest

We are the second largest club in South Africa.

Worcester Airfield

We have been based at the Worcester Airfield for more than 30 Years.

If you have the passion, we can help you fly.

Instruction

Free instruction is given to our members from a beginner to advanced level.

Facilities

We have a beautiful pool, braai area and camping facilities.

Tourism

Surrounded by beautiful wine farms, mountain-biking and hiking trails, there is more than enough to do on non-flying days.

You can experience gliding by booking a Gliding Experience Flight.

Our Fleet

Our club fleet consists of three ASK13 basic training two-seater gliders and a Janus B advanced two-seat training glider. In addition, the club has single-seat Jeans Astir , Astir CS 77 and K8 that are available for solo pilots.

We have two towplanes, a Sling 2 and a Rotax Falke. Private aircraft are sometimes contracted on busy flying days.

More than 35 privately owned high performance gliders and self-launching gliders are based on the airfield.

New Pilot Courses

Since 1989 we have successfully presented more than 50 ab-initio training courses. Flight training during our ab-initio courses concentrates on true beginners, however, more experienced pilots are also welcome. For more information on the next available training course please contact us.

Experienced Glider Pilots

Cross country flights of 300 – 500km distance are common with speeds in excess of 160kph, but an ever increasing number of 1000km and longer flights have been achieved. The soaring conditions are excellent and include a combination of ridge lift, thermal lift, wave and convergence flying.

Rene Lans

We have very interesting weather. The local weather patterns makes for the most incredible flying options. It will take a lifetime to get to know the area.

Rene Lans

Cape Gliding Club

The following videos and articles will give you a taste for what can be expected:

  1. Flying in South Africa: Worcester is Magic! Written by Markus Geisen (published in Segelfliegen International, 2012)
  2. Pure Worcester Magic: A flight by Martin Grunert and published in South Africa Soaring Magazine.

Book a Gliding Experience

Members of the public can safely experience gliding with an qualified instructor. The flight is an introduction to gliding and serves as your first lesson. Flights are done in a two seat glider and the launch is by Aerotow.

You will arrive at the airfield at the agreed time and there will be an instructor to meet you. He/she will explain how the flight will work and answer any questions you might have.

You will then go to the glider where you will receive a safety briefing and subsequently experience the most amazing flight of your life. During the flight you will be allowed to control the glider and basic manoeuvres will be taught while under safe supervision. 

  • A Gliding Experience flight cost R2,800 for 2023 (approximately $144/£125/€125).
  • Should you join as member within 30 days of your flight, we will reduce the cost to only R800 and allocate the difference to your joining fee.
  • Flight launch will be by Aerotow and flights are approximately 30mins in duration.
  • Available on weekends.
  • Remember flying is weather dependant and your safety is our concern.
  • Price is subject to change due to fuel inflation, but once booked we will honour the booking price for 60 days.

Name(Required)

New Pilot Courses

Course Dates: 5th October - 8th October 2023.

Course fee R 12 500 breakfast and dinner included.

Cape Gliding Club regularly holds 4 day training courses for new pilots. Whether you have previous flying experience or are a complete beginner, these courses will help you make faster consistent progress. The courses are held from a Thursday to Sunday and places are limited due to aircraft and instructor availability.

The course fee includes all flights and instruction, temporary membership, gliding training manual and gliding student logbook, dinner and breakfast.

Accommodation during the course is not included in the course fee. It is possible to rent accommodation at the airfield or alternatively camp at the airfield, where camping facilities are available. Many guest house options are of course also available in and around Worcester.

If you are under 18, parental consent is required. All participants will be required to sign standard indemnity forms.

If you are interested in joining one of our courses, please submit the form below. Most instruction at the Club is provided free of charge with the aim of maintaining our member population. The course fee covers the direct costs related to flying along with dinner and breakfast.
Name(Required)
Pre-requisites

LEARN TO FLY

Visiting Glider Pilots

Visiting pilots are always welcome! Each year we are privileged to receive many overseas guests who come to experience the spectacular scenery and legendary South African soaring conditions. Cape Town International Airport is just more than an hour’s drive from the club. Many of our visitors prefer flying at the Cape Gliding Club because of the vicinity of the incredible city of Cape Town which is just the most beautiful place on the planet during the European winter.

https://youtu.be/srP7RFVdjWc

We do encourage you to contact us before your visit so that we can assist in making your stay as pleasant as possible. Visiting pilots can either fly with an instructor during a training introductory flight, or they can fly at club rates if they join the club for a minimum of three months.

To fly solo, a visiting pilot must either have:

  • a Valid South African GPL or
  • a Foreign Glider Pilot’s License validated by the SACAA.

For  information on validating your foreign GPL click Foreign Pilots and Training Introduction. To download the application forms click Application Validation and Application Certificate.

Accommodation

Club members / visitors may use the club hut for overnight accommodation or camp at the airfield. Private huts are also available for rent on the airfield (to be arranged directly with members concerned). In the town of Worcester there are numerous guest houses and a hotel. Other guest houses exist in the surrounding countryside. For accommodation enquiries visit: https://worcestertourism.com/where-to-stay/

Airspace and Radio Frequencies

Airspace is unrestricted up to FL85 (airfield elevation is 650ft). Airfield frequency is 124.8 MHz. ATC permission is required from Cape Town Approach ATC on 130.05 MHz to enter controlled airspace between FL85 and FL195 since Worcester airfield (FAWC) is situated underneath the Cape Town  TMA. Outside the TMA airpace is unrestricted up to FL145. All radio communications are in English. Further away from the airfield (outside the TMA) use 131.125 MHz (within the Cape Province). Chat frequency is 123.4 MHz. Please see our Cloudbase Club Manual for details on specific reporting points when flying on the ridges.

Turn Points

Waypoints (turn points, airfields, etc.) can be downloaded from here.

Detailed info for 2023 visiting Pilots

This document provides more information on the most important matters for the visiting pilots. Licence issues, Fees and more.

Cape Town Chart 1 : 1 000 000 for VFR Flights https://www.capegliding.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/fa1.pdf