Youth Glide Winch Project - Let's Get Kiwi's Soaring!

Youth Glide New Zealand (“YGNZ”) is a not-for-profit organisation which provides young New Zealanders with education, training and support in all relevant skills necessary for gliding in New Zealand. YGNZ helps grow and inspire young kiwi pilots into developing lifelong skills including leadership, responsibility, teamwork and confidence through structured training programs, qualified instructors and frequent nationwide training camps. YGNZ works with young people (under 26 years) to help provide aviation pathways whether it’s to pursue a lifelong adventure sport or a fulfilling aviation-related career prospect.

The biggest cost challenge in gliding is launching. There are two common methods for launching gliders into the sky: the first is being towed behind a plane which we call ‘aero-towing’ and the second method is by a winch which we call a winch launch. *Check out the photos to see what it looks likes when it’s operating etc

Omarama is home to many YGNZ events however despite the generous support we receive, the cost of aerotowing continues to create financial challenges, particularly for new students who undertake a higher number of training flights. We need a winch in Omarama to provide a more cost-effective launching method which is also a more environmentally friendly and reduces noise pollution.

YGNZ has set the goal of having a winch operating in Omarama before December 2019. YGNZ expects the total cost of the project to be $200,000 which includes the purchase, shipment and set-up of the winch and other equipment required for a safe and efficient winching operation.

YGNZ will match every private donation made - dollar-for-dollar - up to $40,000 (i.e. $80,000 total) to kickstart.

Thank you, YGNZ appreciate your support. Every dollar counts!

We are fundraising using a variety of methods of which Givealittle is one.