Horsham a hub for gliders
Horsham Flying Club members are looking forward to welcoming gliding enthusiasts from across the state to the annual Horsham Week Gliding Competition.
Horsham Flying Club president Michael Sudholz said the club expected between 35 and 40 gliders, along with their support crews and spectators, to attend the event in the first week of February.
“We also host coaching week the week before Horsham Week and we expect around 20 gliders and coaches. It will be a fairly busy time,” Mr Sudholz said.
“Coaching week is a chance for people to expand their horizons and we see lots of firsttimers come along.
“It’s a chance for people who haven’t done cross-country to get coached by people who have flown around the world and learn some tactics.
“Some also stay on and then enter the competition the following week.”
Mr Sudholz said Horsham Week began on February 4. For seven days, gliders would spend each morning getting briefed on weather, safety concerns and terrain before spending their afternoon flying.
“Each day, they are given a course depending on flying conditions that can be anywhere from one to four hours of flying over 120 kilometres to 500 kilometres,” he said. “Gliders are then judged on distance and speed.”
Mr Sudholz said Horsham Week was the club’s main event of the year.
“It’s always well supported and is a good
fundraiser for the club,” he said. “This year will be the 51st year of the event and it is one of the longest-running gliding competitions in Australia.”
Geelong Gliding Club members spent their Christmas camp at Horsham last week, and many plan to return to Horsham in February.
Geelong Gliding Club pilot and coach Jeff Farrow said Horsham Flying Club had good facilities and the terrain was great for gliding.
“There are big open paddocks and flat grounds to send people on cross-country flights,” he said.
“Our less experienced pilots come to learn cross-country out here and our more experienced pilots enjoy gliding over long distances that we can fly from Horsham. We have a little friendly competition during the camp and then we have gliders return in February for Horsham Week.”
Mr Sudholz said it was great to have Geelong Gliding Club use the Horsham facilities for a 10-day camp.
“We have a few return visitors as they have done a camp at Horsham before and they enjoy themselves,” he said.
“Horsham is renowned for good flying conditions and weather and it’s also a money spinner for the town to have people stay here.”
Horsham Flying Club will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year and members are planning celebrations for later in the year.