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We tried gliding at Rattlesden Airfield near Bury St Edmunds and saw the sugar beet silos and the Orwell Bridge




There is no graceful way to get into a glider or shame in using a sick bag. Here is what our reporter learnt when she took to the sky.

Driving cautiously down the runway lined with gliders, with the sunshine glaring through my windscreen, I felt as though I was about to start work on a Hollywood movie.

The night before, Sarah Lee from Rattlesden Gliding Club had told me conditions were ‘set fair’ for me to fly the next morning.

Rattlesden Gliding Club. Picture: Suzanne Day
Rattlesden Gliding Club. Picture: Suzanne Day

Arriving at the airfield, which was home to American Air Force pilots during World War Two, I found Sarah and her fellow gliding club members gathered in the control tower for their morning briefing - listening intently.

As I was about to discover, the gliding community is big on safety.

While the club members carried out checks on the gliders and took them out to the runway, I quizzed Sarah about what it is like to be a woman in gliding.

The yellow tug plane that towed our glider into the sky. Picture: Suzanne Day
The yellow tug plane that towed our glider into the sky. Picture: Suzanne Day
Inside the control bus. Picture: Suzanne Day
Inside the control bus. Picture: Suzanne Day

Sarah, the first female gliding instructor at the club, was brought up with the sport and has grabbed opportunities to fly across the world including in Zimbabwe and France.

Though gliding is a hobby, Sarah said it isn’t the sort of sport where you can switch off and unwind - your mind has to be constantly alert.

For her, walking up and down the runway, moving gliders, and then flying them is both a physical and mental workout.

L - R: Sarah Lee and Suzanne Day. Picture: Suzanne Day
L - R: Sarah Lee and Suzanne Day. Picture: Suzanne Day

After our chat it was our turn to head to the runway where we found single and double gliders, a bright yellow tug plane and a control bus.

The control bus, which added to the film set vibes, was fitted out with all the relevant radio equipment, tea and coffee making facilities and all important parachutes.

After watching some training launches, I started to feel slightly terrified of what l had ahead of me.

Whether Sarah sensed this or not, the way she described every single element of the glider and its controls went a long way to ease my nerves.

What you could see underneath the canopy. Picture: Suzanne Day
What you could see underneath the canopy. Picture: Suzanne Day
Suffolk News Reporter Suzanne Day tried gliding. Picture: Suzanne Day
Suffolk News Reporter Suzanne Day tried gliding. Picture: Suzanne Day

Unfortunately I then lost all ability to follow instructions which made getting the parachute on a bit of a struggle.

From the outside the glider looks like it would be claustrophobic, however inside, as a tall, quite broad-shouldered woman I didn’t feel overly cramped.

However, feeling like I was wearing a giant nappy (the parachute), meant getting into the glider was not a graceful experience.

Waiting for the aerotow into the air. Picture: Paul Bannister
Waiting for the aerotow into the air. Picture: Paul Bannister

As we prepared for our aerotow from the bright yellow tug plane, which was to pull us into the air, Sarah asked if I travelled well.

Seemingly not reassured by my answer, she discreetly gave me a sick bag and told me there was no shame in using it.

The take off and landing looked scary from the ground but inside the glider it was exhilarating - and though the glider shook and wobbled I felt completely safe in Sarah’s capable hands.

Suffolk News reporter Suzanne Day (front) was given an introduction to gliding by Sarah Lee (back). Picture: Sarah Lee
Suffolk News reporter Suzanne Day (front) was given an introduction to gliding by Sarah Lee (back). Picture: Sarah Lee

A bit like a driving instructor’s car, the glider has dual controls which Sarah managed from the back.

I got a definite spike of adrenaline when the tow rope was dropped but soon enjoyed the freedom it gave us afterwards.

In the air I lost all sense of direction which initially made spotting landmarks and nearby airfields tricky.

Suffolk from the sky - the county looks picturesque from the sky. Picture: Suzanne Day
Suffolk from the sky - the county looks picturesque from the sky. Picture: Suzanne Day

When I started to remember my lefts and rights again it blew my mind just how much you can see from 5,000ft.

Suffolk shrunk down, the sugar beet silos in Bury St Edmunds and the Orwell Bridge in Ipswich looked so close together.

Up in the clouds we were not only joined by another glider but also an inquisitive buzzard using the thermals for lift, just like us.

The runway from the sky. Picture: Suzanne Day
The runway from the sky. Picture: Suzanne Day

Despite initially refusing, I did have a go on the glider controls moving the nose up and down and turning it - at points I did end up feeling a bit travel sick.

Up, down and straight was fine but I am never good when it comes to things that spin.

Briefly taking control of the glider was a handy way of taking my mind off of that feeling, and I can confirm the sick bag thankfully remained unused.

In the sky thanks to Rattlesden Gliding Club. Picture: Suzanne Day
In the sky thanks to Rattlesden Gliding Club. Picture: Suzanne Day

Back on the ground Sarah was straight to work getting us safely off the runway and making sure the glider was out of harm's way.

I was a bit in awe of how she had everyone listening to her, but more so how she had flown the glider with a hundred times more confidence than I manage when parking my car on a daily basis.

SuffolkNews reporter Suzanne Day
SuffolkNews reporter Suzanne Day

It was a pleasure to get a unique view of Suffolk on a perfect summer day and experience the excitement of gliding.

Anyone who wants to find out more about gliding can contact Rattlesden Gliding Club by calling: 01449 737789, or via the contact form on its website.