1. Accessible equipment

The club has been assisted by The Sport Northern Ireland Lottery Fund and The Enkalon Foundation to enable purchase of a specially adapted glider that will provide equality of access for people with disabilities. This is fitted with hand controls to replace the foot operated rudder pedals so that persons with a disability affecting the lower limbs may achieve the same skill level and progress at the same rate as others. The new glider entered service in July 2007.

The club has installed a ramp to provide easy access to the clubhouse for wheelchair users. There is a wheelchair accessible w.c. facility. The hangar floor has level access and is readily accessible to wheelchair users. The airfield itself is of short level grass.

Listen to a podcast of a radio feature that was broadcast on Radio Foyle during the formal opening of our new facility for people with disabilities. Hear a wheelchair user describing his flight as broadcast from the cockpit.

<click here for podcast - 10 Mb>

2. People with physical disabilities

In 2008 the Ulster Gliding Club flew 86 persons with various disabilities on specially appointed days between early April and early October. In particular the Club was delighted to welcome groups from day centres throughout the province including Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Dungiven, Derry, Lisburn, and several centres from the Armagh and Dungannon district. Also, the Club positioned two aircraft at St Angelo airfield in Enniskillen during August to enable those with disabilities from the South West of the province to enjoy the experience of gliding. A similar programme was completed in 2009.

This year the Club will once again set aside many Wednesdays and Fridays for flying groups of persons with disabilities beginning in April and finishing around the end of September. Note that other days may be selected by special arrangement. Groups may be of any size up to a maximum of eight persons.

For further details and to book a day contact Jim Weston
Telephone 02870358196, mobile 07525268959,
email jamesweston1#btinternet.com
replace # above with @

3.Help with boarding

An electrically operated hoist is available to assist with entry and exit for wheelchair users and those with mobility problems. Please note that the design of the two-seat gliders allows a maximum weight of 103 kg or 227 lbs or 16 Stone per occupant. Young people are welcome however they must be physically large enough to be able to reach the controls of the glider in order to benefit from a lesson.

The club can offer training in two-seat side-by-side seating configuration that allows easy communication between instructor and pupil. This is very suitable for offering lessons to those who are deaf or who have impaired hearing. This facility is currently available in a Dimona two-seat self-launching motor glider.

Hearing dogs are permitted on the premises.

For further details contact Tom Snoddy
Telephone 02890423247, mobile 07761115361,
email tom.snoddy#nireland.com
replace # above with @

5. People with sight impairments

The club can offer training in two-seat giders for people with sight impairments. This can be provided in a regular glider, however, if it is considered necessary to have side-by-side seating arrangement, it can be provided in a Dimona two-seat self-launching motor glider.

Guide dogs are permitted on the premises.

For further details contact Tom Snoddy
Telephone 02890423247, mobile 07761115361,
email tom.snoddy#nireland.com
replace # above with @

6. Feedback.

Rhonda Richardson, Fit 4 U Project, Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone explains:

“Physically, the activity of directing the glider was good for the user’s co-ordination and mentally, the confidence gained from this feeling of control promoted a sense of achievement. Controlling the glider also helped concentration and required focus. As noted by many users, gliding was also a very relaxing experience, the silence of the flight and marvellous views and freedom produced a calming feeling. For those who were blind the sensation and feeling of gliding were even more apparent.”

User comments recorded by people with disabilities who have sampled gliding at Bellarena :-

"Fantastic experience. Thank you very much. The best twenty-five minutes of my life."

"Brilliant experience, great freedom on my own without my wheelchair."

"Instructors are very patient and explain everything to you. Nothing is too much for them to help you. The group I was with, all had different disabilities."

"The staff were helpful, understanding and patient."

"Great day, everyone very friendly."

"It made me feel I could do anything."

<Click for 312KB version> Low res. for viewing - suits dial-up

<Click for 1.2MB version> High res. for printing - suits broadband

8. Notes - The Ulster Gliding Club is a member of The British Disabled Flying Association