THE GLIDING CLUB OF VICTORIA
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Why Benalla?

“Benalla with its weather and the landscape around it is a fantastic playground, the club with its facilities and equipment a near perfect setup“. Michael Sommer, three times World Champion and GCV member.
“A thoroughly professional bunch and what a facility to fly at too! Great aircraft, clubhouse, airfield but what really made it was the friendly welcome that ALL of the GCV members gave me, many of which I would now call good friends.” Rob Rose, UK
Great club
  • Largest club in Australia.
  • In our 94th year of operations.
  • Friendly and supportive club atmosphere.
  • Welcoming and friendly social environment.
  • International Flavour with many Northern Hemisphere repeat visitors.
  • 7-days a week operations in Soaring season.
  • Weekend club operations year round.
Great Fleet
  • Two tugs for rapid launching.
  • Four two-seaters for all forms of training – 2 ASK21s plus a DG1001s and Duo Discus for advanced soaring training.
  • Five single-seaters: Junior, LS3, 2 x LS4, LS7.
  • all club aircraft FLARM-equipped for improved safety.
  • 70+ private sailplanes based at Benalla.
Great facilities
  • Large, safe airfield with separate glider & power runways (low power traffic levels).
  • Lots of hangars including limited space to hire for short to medium term.
  • Good tie-down facilities.
  • Large, fully equipped club-house.
  • Broadband Internet access across clubhouse, Aero Park and Accommodation.
  • Auxiliary equipment for hire – parachutes, Spot loggers, etc.
  • Daily weather and tasking briefing using up to date weather data and leading edge soaring forecasting models adapted for our region offer the best task choices for the day.
  • All SPOT-equipped aircraft tracked in real time for improved safety.
  • Flight simulator for training and fun.
  • Fully staffed maintenance facilities with licensed on-site power and sailplane engineer.
Great flying
  • Whether you are into local soaring, novice cross country, racing cross-country or touring, there will be others doing the same.
  • Comprehensive 09.00 daily briefing means you pick your best task (and team up with others doing the same) in plenty of time to get ready.
  • Real-time trigger temperature monitoring for picking when to launch.
  • Priority launching for the cross-country “great white fleet” at the appropriate time gets you airborne when you want.
  • Minimal airspace restrictions – none within 50km below 8,500′ and generally FL125 elsewhere.
  • Almost unrestricted choice of directions to fly.
  • Informal local IGC-based daily competition so you can see how good you are.
  • Aerotow paddock retrieves generally available most days.
  • Check out the most recent flights from Benalla on WE-GLIDE.
Great weather
  • Summer days typically 25-40 deg C with light winds and scattered cumulus.
  • November and December have more unstable weather.
  • January through March have typically drier and hotter days.
  • Far enough South to avoid sub-tropical weather and storms.
  • Far enough inland to avoid sea-breezes almost altogether.
  • Long daylight hours for extended tasks.
  • Visit our weather pages..
Great terrain
  • Benalla’s location is ideal for thermal soaring at whatever level of task you choose to do.
  • Wide open plains to the north and west (elevations generally below 1,000ft; or 300m) and 10,000ft (3,300m) days in the hot summer season provide opportunities for big distances over these very safe areas.
  • To the east and south the mountains of the Great Divide give exhilarating flying with strong thermal and wave conditions starting only 25km away.
  • Desert country to North-West and North (200+km).
  • Learn more here.
Great clubhouse and social atmosphere
  • Inside dining and bar area for up to 110 people.
  • Large and fully stocked bar at club prices.
  • Attractive shaded outdoor area with barbecues and pizza ovens.
  • Self-catering kitchen facilities.
  • Onsite accommodation for single and dual occupancy.
  • Modern computer equipment accessible to all.
  • Quiet room with TV, DVD and video.
  • Lounge area with good set of books and magazines.
  • Great facilities for families and partners and children.
City of Benalla right next door
  • Walking distance to city shops & motels. 
  • Lots to do for non-flyers and on non-flying days.
  • Wineries.
  • Superb modern regional Art gallery.
  • Ned Kelly history at Glenrowan.
  • Motor racing at Winton.
  • Ski-fields.
Affordable for all
  • Club-based pricing – no annoying and expensive surcharges every time you turn around or touch something.
  • Credit card facilities (no surcharges).
  • Check our prices.
Easy To Get Here
Australia’s second-busiest international airport just 2 hours drive away
​Melbourne Airport
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Copyright © 2023 GCV
  • Home
    • About
    • Videos
  • Join our Club
  • Air Experience Flights
  • Learn to Soar
    • Getting Started
    • Training Resources
    • Advanced Flying
  • Costs
  • Youth Glide
  • Members Info
    • Information/Calendar
    • Links
  • Members Only
    • The Club
    • Committee Minutes
    • Documents
    • AirFlow
    • Aeropark
  • Visiting Pilots
    • Why Benalla?
    • Terrain and Tasks
    • Accom/Attractions
    • Getting Here
  • Weather
  • Contact