“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” Mark Twain

Gdale – just “G”

After a childhood spent building (and crashing) model aeroplanes, G (it’s Gerrard, but only his Mother was allowed to call him that…) finally started learning to fly aged 20 with the Dorset Gliding Club. Ten years later he landed his first gliding job with Lasham Gliding Society and progressed rapidly to the role of cross country instructor thanks to the support of Phil Phillips, the manager of LGS at that time. With a Janus C to fly and a constant supply of keen students, and with the help of the British Gliding Association’s  National coaches John Williamson and Chris Rollins he was able to rapidly develop the required skill set to become that rare bird: a soaring coach.

Since then he’s followed the endless summer, working for the British Gliding Association, The Gliding Association of New Zealand and the Gliding Federation of Australia, always teaching cross country flying. He’s also flown and worked at various gliding clubs around the world: at Nympsfield as Chief flying instructor, at Booker again as CFI, at Lasham as DCFI and soaring coach, and at Glide Omarama as head coach, with visits to Minden, Serres, Takikkawa, Narromine, Lake Keepit and many other clubs as a peripatetic soaring  instructor and mountain flying coach. 

All this has supported a racing career: having won several British national championships he completed in internationals as a member of the British Gliding team for a decade. He flew at the 2019 European gliding championships in club class where he earned his first silver medal whilst his team partner Tom Arscott achieved first place. G is also a coach for the British Women’s gliding team and for the British Junior team.He’s now retired from competition flying in gliders to concentrate on distance flying in his ASH25 and teaching mountain soaring. In his spare time he’s flying competitions with large scale aerobatic model aircraft, cycling, kayaking and sailing. 

Kieran Cassidy

From a young age, Kieran has had a strong passion for aviation. His gliding journey began at the Wellington Wairarapa Gliding Club, soloing at the age of 13 and gaining his Glider Pilot’s License at 14. Over the years, he has accumulated nearly 600 hours of flying, participating in numerous regional and national contests across New Zealand.

A notable milestone so far being representing New Zealand at the 2023 Australian Junior Gliding Championships – JoeyGlide.

His dedication to the sport extends beyond personal achievements. After years of contest flying, he began his instructing journey, sharing his knowledge and passion with others at the Wellington Wairarapa Gliding Club, Omarama Gliding Club, and Youth Glide NZ.

Now working as an instructor for Kahu Soaring, he is very passionate about sharing the wonders of gliding with others, especially amidst the stunning scenery of New Zealand. Alongside this, he continues to pursue his goal of competing at the Junior World Gliding Championships. 

Outside of flying, he is an avid mountain biking, guitar enthusiast and is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Otago.

Milan Kmetovics

My journey of aviation started at the age of 15 in 1999, in my home country Hungary. I have accumulated 3000+ hours of flying to date.

I participated in gliding competitions myself, and I also organised and directed three World Gliding Championships.

I have been working in Omarama as an instructor for five years with Glideomarama and after the closure of the company, I decided to acquire my CPL(G) and carry on flying, and creating my own “brand” KahuSoaring.

I am passionate about gliding, and especially the beauty of soaring in the Southern Alps. I am very keen to share my enthusiasm and enjoyment of this wonderful environment. I have special interest in the psychology and philosophy of the sport. Apart from gliding, I am a keen rock climber / mountaineer and also a photographer.