As the warmer months approach and the days grow longer, it is the perfect time to look skyward and discover one of Australia’s most remarkable aviation experiences - gliding.
At the Benalla Airfield, the Gliding Club of Victoria offers visitors the opportunity to experience the freedom of silent flight and discover a whole new perspective of the beautiful region.
Summer is coming, and with it comes some of the best opportunities to experience soaring flight.
So, instead of simply watching the aircraft in the sky, come and be part of the experience.
Take a flight, sit in the cockpit, learn how a glider flies, and discover what it feels like to soar without an engine.
And perhaps find yourself looking at the sky a little differently afterwards.
The Gliding Club of Victoria invites locals and visitors to come and experience the freedom of flight at Benalla.
Gliding is aviation in its purest form.
There is no engine noise once airborne - just the sound of the wind, the magnificent views below and the thrill of flying an aircraft powered by the invisible energy of the sky.
Your first flight could be the beginning of an aviation adventure or simply the most unique experience you will ever have.
An Air Experience Flight is an extraordinary way to see the region from above.
After a tow into the sky, the engine is disconnected and the glider begins its silent flight.
Your flight instructor will search for rising air and, when conditions are right, use thermals to climb higher - sometimes reaching thousands of feet above the countryside.
It is difficult to describe the feeling of floating silently above the beautiful Benalla landscape.
You can see the patchwork of farms, distant ranges, Lake Mokoan, solar farms and townships stretching out below, while the glider moves effortlessly through the sky.
An Air Experience Flight also makes an unforgettable gift for a birthday, anniversary, Father's Day, Mother's Day or simply for someone who deserves to try something completely different.
For those who have always dreamed of becoming a pilot, gliding provides an exciting and accessible pathway into aviation.
The Gliding Club of Victoria offers structured learn-to-fly programs for people who want to progress affordably from their first flight through to solo flying and beyond. With experienced instructors, modern training gliders and a supportive club environment, newcomers can learn at their own pace while developing genuine flying skills.
And you don't need to know anything about aviation to get started.
Whether you are a teenager considering a future in aviation, an adult fulfilling a lifelong ambition, or simply someone looking for a new challenge, gliding offers an experience that is both exhilarating and rewarding.
The Gliding Club of Victoria is also an important part of the Benalla community and welcomes people to discover more than just the flying.
Visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of an active aviation club, watch gliders take off and land, explore the airfield and learn about the fascinating world of soaring flight.
Families, aviation enthusiasts and curious visitors are all welcome.
For those who become hooked on flying, the club offers a pathway from introductory flights through training, solo flying, cross-country flying and eventually advanced soaring and competition.
There is also a strong social side to the club. Gliding brings together people of all ages and backgrounds who share a love of aviation, the outdoors, learning and adventure.