The Wellington Gliding Club in Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand | Gliding

The Wellington Gliding Club is fortunate to be based at the Paraparaumu airfield on the Kapiti coast 35km north of Wellington in New Zealand. The Paraparaumu location affords tremendous soaring possibilities for glider pilots. The Wellington Gliding Club also operates in the Wairarapa from Hood Aerodrome in Masterton, though training is normally conducted at Paraparaumu.

The soaring season at The Wellington Gliding Club at Paraparaumu airfield, Wellington, kicks off very early in August thanks to the prevailing westerlies, creating smooth reliable ridge lift along a 250km long range of hills. An upwind island creates a very tame "pet" wave offering easy climbs to 12000 feet or more.

The westerlies continue on and off until late December when the summer weather settles into a thermal mode. Thermal conditions at Paraparaumu, Wellington, offer access inland from the coast to the mountains 25km away. In 30 minutes a glider pilot can be soaring along the top of a 4000-6000ft range of mountains 100km long. The thermal season runs from late December through to the end of April. Glider pilots coming to Paraparaumu can set their sights on 50/300/500km distance flights in westerly ridge or thermal. Westerlies make achieving silver or gold height gains very straightforward at Paraparaumu, Wellington.

Trial flights are available every day the club is operating. We recommend you phone the club first to arrange a suitable time. If you happen to be passing, or are happy to take your chances, you are most welcome to turn up, watch the activities, and arrange your flight with the duty instructor.

Learn to Fly
Gliding is an aviation sport conducted all over the world with National and International competitions held annually. There are a number of awards issued by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in recognition of Gliding achievements. The club runs a seven day a week operation of the period from December to March. The operation is fully staffed with instructors, tow pilot, and ground controller. We can even text you on a daily with the conditions on the field.

Mid week training slots are much sort after and are best booked in advance.