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Spectrum was a long-running weekly radio documentary series which captured the essence of New Zealand from 1972 to 2016. Alwyn Owen and Jack Perkins produced the series for many years, creating a valuable library of New Zealand oral history.
In this Spectrum documentary, John Buck narrates his visit to the Upper Valley Gliding Club in Wellington. He interviews Safety Officer Alan Rowe, who describes the changeable weather conditions that can suddenly rear up in cross-country flying; competitive gliding; and the costs involved.
There is an interview with club members Ian Millward, and Meg and Hans Gurnett [?] about gliding.
Senior Instructor Tom Richardson takes John Buck through the safety checks as he’s strapped into a glider, then towed by the plane before being released to free fly. Tom talks him through the flight as John takes the controls. At an altitude of 9,000 feet Tom takes back the controls to make glider checks and then land.
John reflects on his introduction to gliding as “an exhilarating experience”.