Before you set out, you'll want to know what clothes to wear. Wearing appropriate dress on the airfield will make you more comfortable, of course. It's weather dependent, so wear appropriate footwear. Bring strong footwear, in case the grass is damp, so you can help push your glider. It may be sunny, but the openness of the airfield means the wind will make it feel colder, so bring a wind/waterproof jacket. Ski gloves are useful in winter, not mitts as you need your fingers free. In warm weather, jeans, tee-shirt and training shoes are fine, but a jacket and/or jumper is advisable, in case it turns colder. Sun glasses and a peaked cap are useful if it's sunny. Cameras are a good idea, of course, but at your own risk if you fly with them. Put a faster film in to avoid shakes.

Directions to Lasham Aerodrome
The Avenue, Lasham, near Alton, Hampshire
tel: 01256 384 900

FROM LONDON M3 to Junction 5. Left at roundabout towards Farnham (A287). Along 400m of dual carriage way to the next r/a then right towards North/South Warnborough (B3349). 1/4 mile to the next r/a and left towards Odiham. After the garage (rhs) is another r/a, go right here (so 'The Castle' pub goes by on your left), and up the hill (past the quarry entrance on left.) Follow this road for 5 miles, passing RAF Odiham on the left, looking out for Chinook (twin-rotor) helicopters; through South Warnborough village, past the petrol station on the right. About 2 1/2 miles from there look out for a cross roads on the brow of the hill (extra care here!). The sign is often obscured by bushes. On the X-roads is the 'GOLDEN POT' pub (lhs) turn RIGHT here; there is a blue 'LASHAM GLIDING' sign too. Follow bendy road for 2 miles, past the Calor Gas depot (rhs) and Avenue Garden Centre (lhs). Another quarter mile brings you to the edge of the airfield on the lhs. There is an aircraft collection, nothing to do with gliders I hasten to add, but old military planes. Pass this and look out for the glider trailers (lhs) then soon after this the entrance (lhs). There's another blue sign on the right pointing in here. You should also see gliders flying. Please leave your car in the car park on the left side of this access road and walk up the path to the club house. FROM BASINGSTOKE Go south from the town centre to the A339 towards Alton. Go under the M3, follow the road for about 5 miles, through Herriard, then you pass a x-roads, and a pub on the left called 'The Fur and Feathers' which is set back a bit from the A339. Soon after that, the road dips and swings to the right. At this point is a left turn (ahead on the skyline you may see hangars and large aircraft parked (this is ATC, the Lasham aircraft repair operation). Turn LEFT (blue 'LASHAM GLIDING' sign). Half a mile along here on the right is the entrance to the airfield (another blue sign). FROM PORTSMOUTH Leave Portsmouth on A3(M), follow this past Petersfield to the first roundabout (ignoring the 'Alton A32' sign a few junctions before the roundabout). At the roundabout, turn LEFT onto A325. After about 1/4 mile, keep sharp LEFT at new junction, signed B3006, towards Selborne and Alton. Just before Alton, pass under the by-pass while on B3006, and at double roundabout go RIGHT at the first, then LEFT under the narrow brick railway arch, NOT the grey steel bridge on the right. Follow this road for 1/2 mile to a T junction. Turn RIGHT - this is the A339 and is sign-posted back to Alton (don't worry!). After about 400m turn LEFT (B3349) towards Odiham. Follow this road for about 2 miles to the crossroads. Turn LEFT here opposite the 'Golden Pot' pub. You should be able to see a blue 'LASHAM GLIDING' sign too. Follow this bendy road past the Calor Gas depot (rhs) and Avenue Garden Centre (lhs). Another 1/4 mile brings you to the edge of the airfield on the left. The aircraft park there is nothing to do with gliders I hasten to add, but old military planes. Pass this and look out for the glider trailers (lhs) then soon after this the entrance (lhs). There's a blue sign on the right pointing in here. You should also see gliders flying. Please leave your car in the car park on the left side of this access road and walk up the path to the club house.

When you arrive at Lasham

MEETING PLACE / LAUNCH POINT Usually, if you are arranging to meet people at Lasham, the club house restaurant is the most obvious place. There is also a club office (through the restaurant, and on the left). They can point you to places on the airfield, maybe the launch point. Normally, a club member will guide you out there. The launch point, a large red and white van, is the control point for the airfield. Sometimes notices are written on the van side. It's a huge notice board, on both sides, so check both. The Launch Point Controller will usually be able to direct you, once you are here. KEEP A GOOD LOOK-OUT! On the airfield, BE AWARE at all times that aircraft could be landing from any direction. Gliders are almost silent and don't have lights or horns to warn you! Although there are formalities to control normal flying, when pilots are learning they do unusual manoeuvres as a matter of course. At the same time, there will be tug planes around, and behind each is 150 feet of rope with a 3lb hook on the end. Travelling at 60 knots, it's an unforgiving object to collide with. So, even if the plane misses you, you will not benefit at all from catching the hook! CATERING Lasham's self-service restaurant is open all day from about 8am until 6pm and offers fresh tea, coffee and home-made cakes, cold drinks, ice cream, sweets and snacks. It reopens for suppers, to evening course members and trial flight visitors. It offers really good breakfasts and lunches - and fine dinners with waitress service on Saturday evenings. There's a licensed bar, but don't take that free drink until after your flight!