National Lottery funding through the Sport England Small Grants fund will enable the Devon & Somerset Gliding Club to fit its entire fleet of seven gliders and a Pawnee tug with Flarm collision warning devices. And not only will the money create a safer flying environment, but with part of the £9,750 grant the club will also construct a gliding simulator which will aid in basic training and allowing training/practice on days where flying would be impossible due to poor weather. The club itself has raised an additional £8,000 to contribute towards labour and other expenses.

Club Chairman, Lisa Humphries, says: “We are delighted to have secured this investment, which means we can offer both more and safer training opportunities in this exciting sport.”

Local MP, Neil Parish says: “This investment by Sport England into Devon & Somerset Gliding Club is fantastic news. This application seeks to introduce greater levels of safety and thus preserve the Club’s deserved reputation not only as a place where people receive a well-structured and effective introduction to gliding, but also where talent can be identified and nurtured.”

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