About WWGC
A unique soaring location equipped with a high quality fleet
Club vibe
Join us for a fun day at the gliding club
Sharing knowledge, experiences and growing technical proficiency, seems to be a mindset carried across all ages and levels within the club, and with an ever growing contingent of youth participants, the atmosphere is generally fun-loving and supportive. Milestones are celebrated, low points discussed by way of constructive reflection and enthousiasm and motivation highly contagious.
Vision and core values
With a vision to become one of New Zealand’s top gliding training centres, WWGC holds core values like safety, evaluations and glider pilot advancement high on its list off priorities, with an innovative approach to training methods and procedures. We are a club appreciative of it’s members and affiliates in being the glue that holds it all together, through great teamwork, rich in knowledge and expertise and plenty of good humour.
History
The Wellington Wairarapa Gliding Club
A history rich in knowledge, growth and achievements.
The beginning
The club was set up in 1956 as the Wellington & Wairarapa Gliding Club and flew from Hood Aerodrome in Masterton using both a two-seat German Rhonlerche glider and a single seat British Olympia 463. To get them in the air, a Tiger Moth was used as a tow plane with some winching done as well.
In those early days, a band of enthusiasts rushed over the Remutakas every weekend to enjoy the great gliding Wairarapa offers. However, ‘The Hill’ 65 years ago was not quite to the same standard as today, and we won’t go into the joys of driving 1950’s cars. Hence, a suggestion arose that perhaps Paraparaumu Airport might be a site more easily reached from Wellington.
Our facilities
A training centre set for fun learning
Operating from the Papawai airfield the site includes a brand-new hangar, holding over 10 gliders, a training centre complete with a flight simulator, kitchen and bathroom facilities, a sleeping cabin and landscaped areas for member's caravans and tents. We also have multiple airstrip landing and launch options, to optimise weather conditions.
Our fleet
Easy access to the Wairarapa wave
The current fleet consists of two topline German fibreglass two-seaters for training (DG1000’s) and two fibreglass single-seaters for students to graduate to (a Single Astir and a DG100). The privately owned fleet is currently over 23, several equipped with small engines.
Maintaining tow planes is expensive, so the club has invested in a state-of-the-art Skylaunch Glider Winch from the UK. This can launch a glider to approx. 2,000 feet in a matter of seconds. Your first winch launch is guaranteed to thrill!
On particularly good wave days we often have the option to call in a local tow plane to assist in easy access to great wave training and experience.
DG 1000 – ZK GGR
DG 1000 – ZK GPJ
DG 100 – ZK GNB
Single Astir – ZK GMB
Skylaunch Winch
Kuranui College Program
Apply for a scholarship or take a subject called ‘National Certificate in Aviation’
WWGC offers local students unique opportunities to take to the skies through the Kuranui College NZQA recognised aviation course. Assisting those enthousiastic about future aviation pathways, in learning the fundamentals of flight, through gliding.
Summer crew
Summer crew and volunteers are key
Please get in touch to sign up and be part of the fun.
Summer crew volunteers are key in creating gliding opportunities while the weather is good. COVID times have unfortunately limited our normally abundant source of summer crew from abroad, and we now rely on anyone willing to be a part of the gliding scene during the summer months. Whether you be a previously skilled volunteer or someone with an interest in aviation, time and a willingness to help out, we welcome you all.
Testimonials
