How old do you have to be to fly a glider?

The legal minimum age for flying a glider solo is 14.

However, a young person can start learning to glide at a younger age. It very much depends on the individual. As a rule of thumb though around 12/13 is probably a reasonable age to start gliding. The trainee pilot needs to be of an age and maturity to absorb the flight and have reached the physical size to manage the controls. Very young children are unlikely to benefit from a flight.

Every year a good number of young pilots go solo on or just after their 14th birthday.

Young people below 14 can try an air experience flight. But check with the office as we have minimum weight limitations.

Try a Gliding Experience

Getting Started in Gliding

We have active pilots aged 70-80 years old and so, provided the person is not too frail, age is no real barrier.

Children under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian to approve the flight