BOOKER Gliding Club has won nearly £10,000 to make its aircraft safer and increase its training abilities.

The funding, from the Sport England Small Grants programme, will be used to fit collision avoidance units in its tugs (towing aircraft) and two-seater training gliders.

Booker Gliding Club, based at Wycombe Air Park in Great Marlow, operates at a busy airfield located at a ‘pinch point’ between controlled airspace sectors,with large amounts of transit traffic squeezed together. Fitting traffic and collision warning systems in club gliders and tugs will improve flight safety for local flying and in the circuit.

These units can also be used tactically in competitions and on cross-country flights, so the club says it is ideal for training students in cross-country flying using lead and follow.

Deputy Chairman Denis Campbell said: "We are delighted by this opportunity to improve flight safety and enhance our cross-country training programme. The fitting of this equipment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to minimising risk. The club has an active cadet scheme, some graduates of which have gone on to become airline pilots, and we hope that this initiative will reassure parents of younger pilots as well as benefiting members, visitors and other airfield users."

The total amount of funding allocated to the club was £9,892.