About

About
Gliding Tasmania

Tasmania's only gliding club since the 1970s, flying now from the historic former RAAF airfield at Tunbridge.

The Club

Soaring Club
of Tasmania

Trading as Gliding Tasmania, the Soaring Club of Tasmania is a not-for-profit incorporated association and the only gliding club operating in Tasmania.

We are affiliated with Gliding Australia (the national governing body) and the Victorian Soaring Association (VSA). All fees and income go directly to aircraft maintenance, facilities, and operations — there are no salaried staff.

Instruction is provided free to members by our team of volunteer instructors. While glider use and launches are charged separately, whether you want a single Air Experience Flight, full pilot training, or simply to be part of a great club — you are welcome at Tunbridge.

Tunbridge Airfield, Tasmania
Glider over the Tasmanian Midlands

What is Gliding?

Aviation's Most
Pure Discipline

A glider has no engine. Once released from the tow aircraft, your height, distance, and time aloft depend entirely on your ability to find and use rising air — thermals, ridge lift, and wave.

Glider pilots can regularly fly cross-country, climbing to high altitudes and long duration flights on nothing but sunlight-heated air. It's the purest form of aviation — and one of the most demanding.

Anyone in good health can learn. You can go solo from age 15 with no upper age limit. Training is progressive — you'll master the air at your own pace, with the same qualified instructors who've trained Tasmania's pilots for decades.

Fleet & Hire Rates

Our Aircraft

Members have access to club gliders for solo and dual flying. Hire rates are per minute of airborne time plus tow costs. All hire is subject to instructor approval and currency requirements.

Congratulations on another achievement
IS-28B2 VH-WVR
Two-Seat Trainer

Aerostar IS-28B2

Our primary training glider and the backbone of the club fleet. The IS-28B2 is a high-performance two-seat metal glider ideal for instruction and passenger flights.

$1.00 per minute airborne
+ tow costs
  • ConfigurationSide-by-side dual
  • Best glide~34:1
  • UseTraining & General Soaring
Just landed after a 5.5hr flight
Club Libelle VH-GGQ
Single-Seat Club Glider

Club Libelle

A classic fibreglass single-seater from Glasflügel, the Club Libelle is nimble and rewarding to fly. Ideal for solo pilots building hours, practising thermalling technique, or simply enjoying the freedom of solo cross-country flight over the Tasmanian Midlands.

$0.80 per minute airborne
+ tow costs
  • ConfigurationSingle seat
  • Best glide~35:1
  • UseSolo & General Soaring
Eurofox 3k 912uls light sport aircraft
Light Sport Aircraft — Available for Hire

Eurofox 3k 912uls

A versatile light sport aircraft powered by a Rotax 912 engine, available for hire to qualified pilots. An excellent aircraft for currency flying, local area familiarisation, and general touring around the beautiful Tasmanian Midlands.

$220 per hour
Available to qualified pilots — speak with the Duty Instructor
  • EngineRotax 912
  • ConfigurationSide-by-side dual
  • UseHire to qualified pilots
R2133
Eurofox 915is tow aircraft R2133
Tow Aircraft — Not Available for Hire

Eurofox 915is

Our dedicated aerotow aircraft, powered by the fuel-injected Rotax 915is engine. Reserved exclusively for towing gliders aloft — from short circuit tows to the high-altitude releases used for our Deluxe AEF flights and cross-country soaring. Not available for private hire.

Tow Aircraft Only
Tow costs are charged per flight based on release altitude
  • EngineRotax 915is (fuel-injected)
  • RegistrationR2133
  • RoleAerotow only — not for hire

Hire rates are subject to change. Currency and checkout requirements apply — speak with the Duty Instructor. All flying is subject to our Terms & Conditions. Aviation involves inherent risks including serious injury or death.

Our Home

Tunbridge
Airfield

Tunbridge Airfield is a former RAAF training base located in the heart of the Tasmanian Midlands, approximately 75 km north of Hobart via the Midland Highway.

The flat, open terrain, nearby mountains and reliable summer thermals and beautiful scenery make it a good gliding site. On good days, thermals begin by late morning and flights of several hours and longer are common.

Getting Here

Take the Midland Highway north from Hobart. Turn at Tunbridge township and follow signs to the airfield. GPS: 42°32′S 147°23′E.

Tunbridge Airfield from the air

Ready to fly?

Come Fly With Us

Book an Air Experience Flight or contact us to find out more about membership and learning to fly.

Book an Introductory Flight