A Look at The Central Queensland Gliding Club

Follower and contributor to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog, Ash B is a member of the Central Queensland Gliding Club, and he enjoys flying around the skies of Central Queensland in an aircraft without an engine!

Ash has shared some information on this little known but popular club for aviators in Central Queensland and shared some spectacular photos from a recent flight he took from the Club's own McMaster Airfield, to Thangool, via Dululu, Boundary Hill Mine, Callide Power Station, Smokey Creek and then back.

The Central Queensland Gliding Club is based at Dixalea, off the Burnett Highway, about 83 kilometres from Rockhampton, just south of Dululu.  It is the closest gliding operation to Rockhampton, Gladstone and Emerald.

The club has a 1700 metre grass/gravel strip (Runway 06/24), a clubhouse, bunkhouse, caravan park and hangarage is available. The club owns the airfield.

Visitors are always welcome, and are invited come and join the club at the clubhouse on a flying day and experience the thrill of flight in one of their gliders.  Alternatively, if you've ever thought of learning to fly, the Central Queensland Gliding Club offers "comprehensive training in all aspects of gliding, from training you for your first solo flight, to cross country flying. Their experienced instructors volunteer their time, allowing them to offer the cheapest possible entry into aviation ... and it's lots of fun too!"

Contact the Central Queensland Gliding Club at CQGC11@GMAIL.COM to become involved, or visit their website at http://www.cqgliding.com.au/ .

The Central Queensland also has a selection of photographs posted in their Flickr page which can be view at   http://www.flickr.com/photos/cqgliding/ .

A sincere thanks to Ash for sending through the information and fantastic photographs from the Central Queensland Gliding Club - I know I certainly had heard about it but never actually knew too much the Club! Thanks mate!

Photos taken by Ash Burggraaff  ©

Some More Recent Photos from The Bundaberg Gliding Club

On a weekend in late November the Bundaberg Gliding Club played host to both Bundaberg and Southport Squadrons of the Australian Air League. The Bundaberg Gliding Club, which is situated around 25 minutes from Bundaberg, uses a combination of winch launching and aero towing to get the gliders into the air. On this occasion they were using the V8-powered winch to launch the gliders.

The only glider that was being flown was a Blanik L-13 registered VH-GPS.

VH-GPS on one occasion, due to the changing winds had to land long, which means the glider flew a couple of feet above ground before touching down at the other end of the runway.

Apart from this most landings were normal, bar one where the pilot was a little heavy footed on the brake!

A great day of soaring was enjoyed by all.

The Bundaberg Gliding Club was formed in 1965 at the clubs current site at Elliott Field, 20km south of Bundy on the Childers Road, just down from the Elliott River Forestry Tower.

At present, the club has 25 flying members. Currently they have a fully rebuilt  L13 Blanik available for Air Experience Flights and student training. There is a privately owned Twin Astir that is available for cross hire as well. The club also owns half of a Pilatus B4 which is online for solo pilots with a minimum of 20 solo hours.

All launches at the airfield are by winch. Flying takes place every Sunday, weather permitting.

Air Experience Flight Vouchers are available for a loved ones special occasion. Please contact the club to find out how you can purchase one of these.

Contact the Bundaberg Gliding Club via John Godfrey (Chief Flying Instructor) on 0417071157 or 41280259.  Alternatively, visit their website at - http://www.gliding.inbundy.com.au/

Sincere thanks to Tom Houghton for the assistance in preparing this Blog post.

All photos taken by Tom Houghton  ©

Bundaberg Gliding Club Photos

The Bundaberg News Mail newspaper has recently run a series of awesome photos from the Bundaberg Gliding Club.

To view the album visit the Bundaberg News Mail website:  http://www.news-mail.com.au/photos/bundaberg-gliding-club/26843/

The Bundaberg Gliding Club was formed in 1965 at the clubs current site at Elliott Field, 20km south of Bundy on the Childers Road, just down from the Elliott River Forestry Tower.

At present, the club has 25 flying members. Currently they have a fully rebuilt  L13 Blanik available for Air Experience Flights and student training. There is a privately owned Twin Astir that is available for cross hire as well. The club also owns half of a Pilatus B4 which is online for solo pilots with a minimum of 20 solo hours.

All launches at the airfield are by winch. Flying takes place every Sunday, weather permitting.

Air Experience Flight Vouchers are available for a loved ones special occasion. Please contact the club to find out how you can purchase one of these.

Contact the Bundaberg Gliding Club via John Godfrey (Chief Flying Instructor) on 0417071157 or 41280259.  Alternatively, visit their website at - http://www.gliding.inbundy.com.au/

More Great Photos of Flying Without an Engine at The Central Queensland Gliding Club

Follower and contributor to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog, Ash B is a member of the Central Queensland Gliding Club, enjoying flying around the skies of Central Queensland in an aircraft without an engine!

Ash has shared some spectacular photos from a recent flight he took from the Club's own McMaster Airfield, to Thangool, via Dululu, Boundary Hill Mine, Callide Power Station, Smokey Creek and then back.

The flight was made by Ash in Grob 102 Astir CS VH-WQL.

He was flying with a mate on Grob 103 Twin Astir glider VH-CQQ.

The Central Queensland Gliding Club is based at Dixalea, off the Burnett Highway, about 83 kilometres from Rockhampton, just south of Dululu.  It is the closest gliding operation to Rockhampton, Gladstone and Emerald.  The club has a 1700 metre grass/gravel strip (Runway 06/24), a clubhouse, bunkhouse, caravan park and hangarage is available. The club owns the airfield.

Visitors are always welcome, and are invited come and join the club at the clubhouse on a flying day and experience the thrill of flight in one of their gliders.  Alternatively, if you've ever thought of learning to fly, the Central Queensland Gliding Club offers "comprehensive training in all aspects of gliding, from training you for your first solo flight, to cross country flying. Their experienced instructors volunteer their time, allowing them to offer the cheapest possible entry into aviation ... and it's lots of fun too!"

Contact the Central Queensland Gliding Club at CQGC11@GMAIL.COM to become involved, or visit their website at http://www.cqgliding.com.au/ .

The Central Queensland also has a selection of photographs posted in their Flickr page which can be view at   http://www.flickr.com/photos/cqgliding/ .

A sincere thanks to Ash for sending through the information and fantastic photographs from the Central Queensland Gliding Club - I know I certainly had heard about it but never actually knew too much the Club! Thanks mate!

Photos taken by Ash Burggraaff  ©