Growing up on the Long Mynd as a third-generation glider pilot, my love for gliding was inevitable. I took my first flight at 7, learned properly at 14, and went solo at 16. The Mynd was our weekend and holiday haven, where I even flew before I was born.
Sarah Platt – Social Media Entrepreneur
Gliding suits the quieter, logical mind, and surprisingly, I’m also fiercely competitive. After 18 years, I entered my first competition in 2002, the Junior Nationals, and LOVED it, especially getting round the task for the first time!
I competed in 2-3 competitions yearly, facing challenges like flying while caring for a newborn. Comps are great opportunities to meet up with gliding friends from around the country and to fly fast alongside them.
Highlights have included GB Team training in Spain, becoming a Basic Instructor in 2006, my longest flight of 430km (8.5hrs!), learning to drive the winch, and qualifying recently as an Assistant Instructor. After an 11-year break to raise our boys, I re-soloed, bought a glider, and placed 7th in a competition just two months later.
Since 2002, it has been my aim to qualify once more for potential selection to the GB Women’s Team. More women now fly at the top level, making qualification harder but it shows a positive future for the sport. I encourage anyone, especially minorities, including women …and anyone with self-doubt or low confidence, to try it. If I can do it for 40+ years, anyone can!”