Glider pilots from around the State will be back in Gloucester at the beginning of August for the Central Coast Soaring Club's annual ridge soaring camp.
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The event, now established as one of the flying and social highlights for glider pilots, has based itself in Gloucester for more than 30 years.
Last year's event was recorded as the most successful with more than 30 pilots flying during week, the longest flight lasting four hours 12 mins, and the highest, more than 1300 feet.
The pilots fly from the Gloucester Aero Club airfield and soar along the Mograni range, catching the westerly winds which blow at this time of the year.
Flights of five hours and heights of 10,000 feet or more are regularly attained. The ridge soaring is achieved from these winds coming from the Barrington and Gloucester Tops, across the Avon Valley, striking the Mograni and rising up and over like an unseen wave.
Apart from the scenery and the friendliness of the town, the pilots are attracted by the chance of some spectacular soaring, using a combination of thermals, ridge and wave to attain great heights and long duration flights.
Some of the pilots have been attending 'Glorious Gloucester' for more than 20 years and they welcome visitors to the Gloucester Aero Club on Maslens Lane, during their stay, from August 3-11.
Flying starts around midday, subject to weather, with visitors having the chance to inspect the aircraft and even 'soaring like an eagle' with a qualified instructor over the town, the Bucketts and the Mograni.
