IGC
History
This page updated 28 August 2001

The IBM Gliding Club originated as the IBM South Hants Gliding Club, towards the end of 1975. Its aims were to provide financial and technical support for IBM South Hants Club members who wished to take up gliding. The Club is based at Lasham airfield, between Alton and Basingstoke, approximately 45 minutes drive from North Harbour. All gliding at Lasham is carried out under the auspices of the Lasham Gliding Society, which is the largest gliding club in the UK. Lasham is a very busy airfield - on a good gliding day in summer it probably has more aircraft movements than Heathrow.

Early in 1981, the IBM Gliding Club bought its first glider (or sailplane) - a British designed and built Sport Vega. The following Spring a second aircraft - a wooden K6 single-seater was added to the fleet. Early in 1985 the Sport Vega was replaced by a brand new Glaser Dirks DG101 high performance sailplane. With its fleet of two aircraft, the IBM club caters for the needs of most pilots, from early solo up to National competition level.

When Havant was sold off by IBM, the administrative club became the IBM Club North Harbour, and the gliding subsection became the IBM Gliding Club.

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