The Devon and Somerset Gliding Club will run a Women’s Go Gliding weekend at the end of April (27 and 28).

The UK has almost 30,000 pilots, around 5% of whom are female. The Devon and Somerset Gliding Club is striving to help more women find a career or hobby in flight.

The weekend will introduce women to aviation and soaring flying and is part of an initiative by the British Gliding Association, which is supporting gliding clubs all over England to do the same thing.

British Gliding Association’s women's advocate, Yvonne Elliot, said: “I have been asked why are women not participating in gliding?

“I could write a book on this, however, I will just comment that there are numerous barriers, some of which we can change.

“We need to ensure all are met with a warm welcome and facilities that are great for everyone.

“All the clubs participating are planning to ensure a fantastic experience for everyone who gets involved irrespective of gender.”

The days start at 10am and end at 4pm, with no booking required.

Devon and Somerset Gliding Club will be running discounted flight over the weekend to potential new women members, with under 21’s flying for £25 and over 21s for £50.

Women of every age are encouraged to take part and learn about gliding and aviation; children can learn as young as twelve and can be a qualified pilot by fourteen!

The Devon and Somerset Gliding Club  is located at North Hill Airfield on the south-west corner of the Blackdown Hills above Broadhembury.

For details of flying opportunities at other clubs, or to arrange a visit, go to gogliding.uk.