‘My great fear became my passion’
Despite a chronic fear of planes, Ayala Truelove, 52, from Tadley in Hampshire, took up gliding and is now a national champion.
A‘s I fly through the air in my glider, I look out across majestic views of England – I can see Oxfordshire to my left and the Isle of Wight to my right.
It’s a clear, bright day and I’m sailing smoothly along the gentle breeze.
I think about how lucky I am; I’m grateful that I discovered this hobby, and so glad I conquered my own fears and didn’t let anyone else’s doubts faze me.
Being in a plane is my happy place but, when I first discovered gliding, I was terrified of flying. Going on holiday was a nightmare. Every time I sat in a jumbo jet, I felt so nervous and out of control. Turbulence sent me into a frenzy and I worried we would crash. When my boyfriend at the time offered me a trial gliding lesson, even I surprised myself by accepting it. Although I was scared, I was also fascinated; there seemed something so freeing and peaceful about a plane without an engine.
Within the first few minutes, all my fears melted away. Unlike being a passenger in a jet, you see everything so clearly and have much more control. The instructor explained everything that was about to happen, so I felt prepared and, although it was challenging, I felt completely at ease. I was hooked, so I joined my university gliding club. At the time, there were only four women out of 100 members. I often felt scrutinised; some of the men would attribute my mistakes to the fact I’m a woman. It was frustrating, but I never let it get me down.
I began taking my hobby seriously after I graduated. I started flying solo after about 50 flights, then I was able to leave the airfield. That was a huge step – almost like cutting the umbilical cord! Gliding works in the same way that birds fly, by harnessing the sun’s thermal energy. So if you fail to catch the rising air, you could end up in a field somewhere! Once, flying crosscountry, I landed in a field of rapeseed; the crop was high but I managed to land safely. It’s all part of the learning experience and just takes practice.
MAGICAL MOMENTS
For the past 10 years, I’ve been competing in races, which is so exhilarating. I’ve won silver twice in the women’s world championships, and I won the UK mixed national championship in 2015 where there were only two women competing out of 50. When I won, a woman told me her seven-year-old daughter said she wanted to be like me. I will never forget that moment, and it drives me forward. I am working hard to encourage other women to experience the joys of flying – it’s magical and fun for everyone, so shouldn’t be seen as a “male” hobby.
It’s amazing to think how scared
I used to be, because flying has given me so much joy. I even met my husband, Michael, at our gliding club 15 years ago. We own a small glider, and it’s wonderful to share my hobby with him. I also have a challenging full-time job as director of technology for a financial corporation, so Michael and I love spending our weekends soaring through the clouds. It’s the best possible way to de-stress.
This year I’m looking forward to competing more; my aim is to qualify for the world mixed championships. I want to show young women they can face their fears and achieve anything they set their minds to, even if others think they can’t. The sky truly is the limit.’ • gliding.co.uk
‘A woman told me her daughter wanted to be like me. I will never forget that moment’