Oxford Gliding Club

The famous Austrian gliding pioneer, Robert Kronfeld became manager and CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) of the Club in June 1938.

The Club moved from Cumnor to the Chiltern ridge at Aston Rowant, close to the Lambert Arms pub, for the 1939 season.

On the outbreak of war in 1939, all recreational aviation ceased, and the club was eventually reformed at Kidlington (London Oxford Airport)in 1951.

Like most UK gliding clubs, there are no paid employees and all members (subject to age and regulatory requirements) are trained in the various elements of airfield operation.

In addition to the day-to-day operations, the club also undertakes various maintenance tasks including grass-cutting, aircraft inspection as per BGA requirements and general upkeep of the facilities.

[citation needed] Both winches are powered by Liquefied petroleum gas, and are fitted with Dyneema cable, a lightweight manufactured Rope-like material.

Dyneema is substantially lighter than the traditional multistrand steel cable, and enables higher launch heights, which in turn provide a longer flight.

A photo of an original OU&CGC trailer
A photo of the airfield, in the foreground is a roadway, with a lay-by on the left hand side. To the right of the image is grass and vegetation, and in the centre of the image off in the distance are a number of buildings.
Weston-on-the-green Airfield, where OGC operates from.
The image shows a tractor on the right with a large, reverse "L"-shaped object attached. The object is the winch, and is constructed from steel frame work and has a wooden cockpit on the top part. It is a mix of blue, yellow and orange colours.
Oxford Gliding Club's previous home built winch