1931
14th March 1931 First flying meeting. Gliders hand launch by bungee.
First locations fields at Comber & Ballymiscaw then also at Clandeboye flights of just a few seconds. Activity moves to a larger area at Holestone, Doagh where they do hand launches & auto-tows (bungee attached to car via rope and pulley).
Reynard Primary trainer awaiting launch at Holestone Co Antrim 1931.
1932
Auto-tow from beach Minerstown; flights of 150sec.
Then 5 mins But no proper soaring yet. One or two landings in shallow water… July 1932 Operations tried at Benone Strand, Magilligan; ridge soaring now possible: 25mins.
Pre-war at Benone Strand.
1933
Eight different launch sites used, still exploring…
Including Knockagh, with bungee launches from top, landing both back on the cliff-top or at its foot.
1934: Single Seat Grunau Baby ready for Catapult launch from cliff overlooking Benone Strand.
1936
First flights of over 5 hrs and over 50km.
1936: A Falcon III 2-Seater on Benone Strand.
1939
WW2 no gliding.
Flying resumed 1946; at Benone Strand, Magilligan – but rationing & recession limited the activity for many years.
Single Seat Kirby Kite being rigged on Benone Strand.
1965
Club is re-located to the ex-RAF airfield of Long Kesh.
Launch by auto-towing & aerotowing.
Long Kesh 1967: Members and visitors at the launch point.
1968
Flights of over 100km; heights of over 13,000ft.
1970
Evicted from Long Kesh to make way for military purposes – moved to Newtownards.
1974
Flights of over 300km.
1978
The Club relocates to a rented site at Bellarena, quite close to the present location.
First Site at Bellarena
1993
The Club has an opportunity to buy ground of its own. Moved to current site.
The Current Two Seat Gliders at Bellarena
2021
The Club celebrates its 90th year of operations.