Spring News

We are now past the cold air of the winter months here in Alice Springs, and are now approaching the peak gliding season. If you have ever thought about giving it a go, then now is the perfect time!

We still meet at the Bond Springs Airstrip every Saturday from 11am, so come and join us for the afternoon in the sky.

On another note,
Our new website (supported and designed by Bellette Media & DriverWeb Design) is now up and running!
Most online updates about the club will be happening on our website from now on. So for more information, photos, and news about us, head on over and take a look.

http://www.alicespringsglidingclub.com.au

Information about our club and operations can be found in the 'Info' page.
Take a moment to browse through the photos of soaring around the Bond Springs Aerodrome and get an idea of our unique flying location.
Any important information relating to the club will appear on the front page, so check back once in a while and keep posted with what we are upto.
Information about how to get to our club is on the right hand side of the page, so write it down and come out and join us every Saturday from 10am!
Content and information is still being updated, so check back soon and see whats changed!

Change is coming!

Here is a quick sneak peek of our new website soon to be launched in the coming weeks...

Stay tuned...

Media Exposure

The ASGC Club house opening has resulted in various positive media reports about the club. This will provide the club with some much needed public exposure and hopefully some potential members will be encouraged to come out and see what its like! We operate every Saturday from 11am, at the Bond Springs Aerodrome, 20kms north of Alice Springs.

ABC News Report by Allyson Horn

ABC Local report by Brendan Phelan

Brendan Phelan interviews ASGC Life Member (and longest active club member) Tom Bird, about his 53 years flying experience with the Alice Springs Gliding Club

ASGC Club House (Re)Opening - Success!

On May 11th 2012, The Alice Springs Gliding Club house was officially re-opened by Hon. Mr Gerry McCarthy, and Hon. Mr Karl Hampton.

Over the past year, the ASGC has received a community grant and various other donations from local Alice Springs business' that have allowed us to transform the clubhouse from near dis-repair, and return it to its former glory.

Gerry McCarthy stands by as Brendan Phelan from the ABC prepares for flight

Gerry McCarthy & Jim Thomas speak to the club and media

A huge thanks goes to
 - Masterpath
 - Power & Water
 - Bushfires NT
 - Bellette and Driver Web Design
 - Central Australian Aviation Museum

 - CEA

And the NT government for the Community Sports Grant that we received. 

The restoration would not have been possible without the contribution of these organisations.

Rob Smits receives the Patrons Trophy from Gerry McCarthy

Gerry McCarthy officially re-opens the ASGC Club House

The driving force behind the work on the clubhouse was Robert Smits, and his efforts were recognised on the day by our club patron, the Hon. Gerry McCarthy who presented Robert with the Patron’s Trophy for outstanding commitment to the Alice Springs Gliding Club.

The day has generated some great media attention, with representatives from ABC Radio & TV, Imparja Television, and the Advocate all attending and taking us up on our offer of a short flight to experience soaring in Central Australia in thanks for their attendance.

Overall a successful day, and the ASGC thanks everyone who attended on the day, especially the Hon. Mr Gerry McCarthy, and Hon. Mr Karl Hampton for participating in the day.

ASGC Instructor Simon Hatfield takes Imparja's Lauren Crawley to the sky

ASGC Club House (Re)Opening

After much work from some dedicated club members, the ASGC Club House i finally ready for its grand opening. Come and join us out at Bond Springs on the morning of 11th of May where Hon. Gerry McCarthy and Hon. Karl Hampton will declare the club open. The event will kick off at 11am, and all local media are invited to experience the thrill of gliding. So come out and join us!

Easter Gliding

Just a quick note; The Alice Springs Gliding Club will be out at Bond Springs to take full advantage of the warmest start to April ever! That means its still great weather for thermal flying and will be operating all 4 days of Easter, so come out and join us in the sky!

Promising club member leaves Alice

Tom Ebling has been a prominent club member and contributed a lot of time working on the ASGC club house and participating in national and international gliding events.  He is relocating to WA, but while here he contributed a lot the club, both socially as well as flying.  Tom has recently attended a maintenance course held by GFA, and losing his expertise will be a loss to the club.  The Alice Springs Gliding Club wishes Tom all the best for the future. - Jim Thomas

Tom and ASGC treasurer, Rob Smits at the 2011 Regional Championships in New Zealand - Photo Pam Gore.

Bart has two achievements in two weeks

ASGC club member, Bart Thomas, has recently gone solo in the clubs single seat performance glider. This glider flies more efficiently then the training aircraft, and can take advantage of the lighter conditions as we move to the cool weather for the year.  Bart can now attempt the tasks required for his Silver C, Gold C and Diamond milestone badges.  These tasks and goals are recognized internationally and differentiate gliding from power flying.  All of the tasks are possible in Central Australia and the conditions here are as good, if not better, than anywhere else in the world.  Since this achievement, Bart has also gained his endorsement to carry passengers; a step towards gaining an instructors rating in the future. - Jim Thomas

Bart Thomas taking Alice Springs local, Lloyd for a flight

Opening of the refurbished club house

"Ministers Gerry McCarthy and Karl Hampton are officiating at a function at the Bond Springs Airstrip on the 11^th May at 10.00am. All club members, previous members and interested public are welcome to attend.

There will be morning tea provided and demonstration flights in the club gliders.  Passengers are welcome to go for a short flight as well.

Robert Smits and a dedicated group of club members have done an excellent job on the club house.  They have exceeded all expectations, with the money available from the generous sports grant we received last year."

-Jim Thomas

ASGC in the New Year
So its now 2012 and the ASGC is off to a great start:
Rob and his team of helpers have put in a super effort over the last few months, and with help from the money gained from the grant we received, has transformed the club house into more then what it ever was! A huge thanks goes to the volunteers who aren't (yet!) club members also! Many hands make light work, and the results have paid off: come out and see for yourself.

(photos on the Facebook page)

New Members

The recent push for new members, involving the poster distributed around town, and news paper articles has turned out a winner, with 5 new members enthusiastically joining the club and already progressing quickly with their flying.

Baden preparing for a flight with Simon and ground crew Kim

Steve's reward for his hard work painting

Wanyima taking control of the launches

Remember, its peak gliding season, so come on out and join us from 10am every Saturday at the Bond Springs air strip, just 20mins drive north from Alice, on the North Stuart Highway.

See you in the air!