Young glider pilots will take to the skies above and around
Omarama next month at a national youth gliding camp to hone
their skills in the sport.
The camp, from December 9 to 17 at the Omarama Soaring
Centre, will be filled to capacity with 24 young people aged
between 13 and 25, who have been divided into advanced,
intermediate and basic groups.
Two of the young pilots come from Australia, with the rest
New Zealanders.
Run by Youth Glide NZ, the camp has two directors - Gavin
Wills, of GlideOmarama, and Roger Read from the Canterbury
Gliding Club - who will be joined by six other instructors,
with the course financially supported by sponsors and gliders
provided.
Mr Wills this week said the course was fully subscribed, with
about another seven possibles on a waiting list, or who may
come to help run it.
Four are on the course through scholarships through the Dick
Georgeson Trust.
The inaugural youth camp was held in December last year, and
some of the young pilots were returning for a second time to
advance their skills further.
The aim was to bring together young glider pilots to fly,
develop skills and train together in a fun camp atmosphere.
"They are keen to fly together all in one place and learn
from each other," he said.
Some have advanced skills - for example last year Alex McCaw,
then 19, became the youngest person in the world to complete
a 1000km-long flight in a glider.
Others are approaching flying solo for the first time or have
just completed their solo flight.
Some who were in the basic or intermediate groups last year
have returned this year and will move up.
"The key thing is also to set goals for them in the future,
whatever stage they are at," Mr Wills said.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.