We are a not-for-profit gliding club operating out of Ararat Aerodrome in Victoria, offering an ideal base for thermal cross country flying, ridge soaring and high altitude wave flying. We are nestled between the Grampians National Park and the Pyrenees Ranges, offering spectacular scenery and superb soaring conditions throughout the year. To the north are the flatlands, allowing excellent cross country flying in the summer months. There are many mountains and ridges in the local area, providing good ridge soaring for all wind directions (e.g. Mount William, Ben Nevis, Langi Ghiran). In the winter months, there is often superb lee wave generated from the Grampians Mountains (keep an eye on Geoff Vincent's wave forecast). We are fortunately situated to also have airspace available up to 24,500 ft above the airfield and to the west and we also have an agreement with Air Services to allow flights well into Class A airspace within the Grampians Wave region.
We have excellent instructors, tug pilots and coaches, who all volunteer their time for the pure enjoyment of flying, meaning the Grampians Soaring Club is possibly the most affordable (and enjoyable) ways to learn to fly. Our flying fees are lower than most other gliding clubs, and we typically have only one or two pilots training at any time. Weather permitting, instruction is available every weekend at Ararat or at one of our various club camps, all year round.
We welcome all visitors to our website and to our club, from one-off gift voucher flights to experienced pilots visiting the area.
