Club Fleet
Schleicher
ASK-21
G-CHVG
This is Rattlesden’s biggest tandem glider. A world class, soaring training aircraft perfect for beginners and novices alike. Built by Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co it has an empty weight of 360kg, wingspan of 17 meters and a top speed of 150 knots. The aircraft is made entirely of specialist plastics and fiberglass and is able to perform aerobatic maneuvers including loops and rolls. When this aircraft is not being thrown around the skies it offers the perfect environment for beginners to take the controls under instruction and learn to soar with it’s gentle touch to flight.
Schleicher
ASK-21
G-CJAV
Rattlesden's second K21 training glider. G-CJAV has a special modification to the rudder controls that allows the glider to be flown by hand only, meaning Rattlesden will be able to teach pilots who do not have full use of their legs.
SZD-50
puchacz
G-CHYP
Rattlesden’s other tandem glider, the Polish "Eagle Owl" offers a different experience from the larger and heavier K21s. Built by PZL Bielsko, it's lighter weight of 320 Kg and 16 metre wingspan means this glider is perfectly suited for students ready to start spin and spiral dive training for their BGA Pre-Solo Syllabus.
SZD-51
Junior
G-CKPN
Rattlesden’s Polish-built single seater glider provides the perfect next step for newly qualified solo pilots. Built by PZL Bielsko, this glider is ideal for pilots aiming to develop their soaring skills without forking out money for sole or syndicate ownership in a glider.
Schleicher
ASW 19
G-CFNH
One for the more advanced single-seat pilots, with a retractable undercarriage and able to take water ballast this very capable glider is perfect for those progressing to cross country flying with their eye on Gold distance and beyond!
SF-25C
Falke
G-KGAW
The Falke motor glider guarantees a long flight for both upper air work and/or approach flights at a cost only marginally more than an hour in a glider off aerotow. Perfect for field landing and navigation exercises as well as power flights for suitably qualified club members looking to add a touring motor glider (TMG) extension to their license.
Aeropro
eurofox
G-RATT
Rattlesden's ultra-light tug offers astounding value-for-money aerotows on both our asphalt and grass runways. Powered by a Rotax 912 flat 4 engine, with a wingspan of 9 metres and weighing in at just under 300 kilograms (lighter than both the K21 and Puchacz!) this small yet powerful aircraft has changed the face of aerotows not only for Rattlesden, but for the gliding community around the world!
Ground Fleet
SkyLaunch 2
LPG Winch
The workhorse of all winch launches, this twin drum winch boasts an LPG 8.2 litre V8 capable of providing nearly 300 horsepower! Our winch has nearly 3km of synthetic re-enforced rope wound around two steel frame drums. When engaged, it can propel gliders into the air at speeds of over 80kts (90mph). The rumble of the engine resembles the throatiest of American muscle cars, despite its British origins.
Launch Point
Coach
Our converted coach acts both as a radio ‘air traffic control’ and a place to shelter from the elements. In the mornings before flying starts, the coach is driven out to the end of the runway and set up as launch point, briefing room, snack bar and equipment store. In addition it carries everything required for day-to-day gliding activity from parachutes to tea and coffee (yes…. hot tea and coffee, a luxury on the airfield!). At the end of flying the coach is driven back to the clubhouse and plugged in to charge ready for the next day.
Tow Out
Truck
Our custom-designed and manufactured cable retrieve truck is used to pull out the cables from the winch. Built and constructed by club members, our modified ford transit pickup has a yellow-painted solid steel frame (hard to miss) and the large flat bed holds lots of old car tires (useful for weighing down down wingtips in particularly windy conditions).
Retrieve
Vehicles
RGC has two retrieve vehicles used to pull gliders around the airfield and shuttling guests/members between the clubhouse and launch point.
The first is a LPG modified golf buggy, providing excellent visibility and comfort.
The second is a Cub Cadet 4x4, with a top speed of 30mph, able to zip from one end of the airfield to the other in minutes. A low speed gearbox provides ideal and easy towing for even the heaviest of gliders!