AS I watched a fleet of delicate white gliders soaring through the sky my first impression was of birds flying in the wind.

I was immediately struck by their beauty and simplicity and was also impressed that, because they fly without fuel, they are completely pollution-free.

Like their feathered equivalents, gliders catch pockets of warm air, known as thermals, and use them to gain height and circle through the sky.

Mike Thorne, 55, a member of Bath, Wilts & North Dorset Gliding Club who helped organise an open day at the clubhouse in Kingston Deverill on Sunday, said: "Gliding is just like being a bird. You get to fly with buzzards and seagulls and swallows.

"You also use the birds as markers to see where the thermals are so you know where to fly."

Mr Thorne has been gliding for 23 years and has the skill to stay in the air for up to eight hours at a time.

He also competes in gliding races and has been to the Rocky Mountains in Canada, where he glided at 14,000ft.

He said: "I've always liked anything to do with aeroplanes. I used to make model aircraft as a kid.

"I took some flying lessons once but didn't enjoy it as much as gliding. It's like the difference between sailing and power boats."

It takes six to 12 months for new members, who should be over 14 years old and under 15 stone, to get to the stage where they can fly solo.

Before that they are trained in twin seat gliders.

There are two ways to launch into the air. The glider is either towed by a plane to a certain height and then released or flung into the air while attached to a "winch" by a cord.

The second option looked frightening from the ground, resembling an inverse bungee jump. Luckily I was to experience the first method.

After I put on my parachute, which I was promised nobody had ever needed to use, and stepped into the tiny cockpit, I was given a whirlwind tour of the numerous dials in front of me before we were dragged into the air by a small aircraft.

Apart from a slight belly lurch as we went up, the launch was smooth and relaxing.

It was when we released the cord attached us to the plane in front, and I heard a sharp click and felt a jolt, that I suddenly realised we were alone, a tiny glider relying on nothing but air to keep us aloft.

When I took the controls I felt vulnerable but also had an overwhelming sense of freedom. I discovered it took just tiny movements to make us turn smoothly, and we searched the sky for thermals like the birds flying nearby.

Soaring at about 2,000ft and travelling at about 60mph, the view was tremendous. I could see Longleat, Mere and neighbouring towns. Cows looked like toys lying scattered in the fields below.

The best conditions for gliding, I was told, are when there are lots of fluffy clouds in the sky, because these form above thermals.

While it is best to avoid going inside the clouds, aiming for the area underneath them should mean a glider has struck lucky and can use the thermal to gain extra height.

Gliding does not have to be an expensive sport and is enjoyed by people of all ages.

A glider can cost anywhere between £1,000 and £100,000 and often groups of people buy one to share. Otherwise there are club gliders that can be rented.

Mr Thorne is keen to encourage new members to join the 120 people who fly from the club in Kingston Deverill, near Warminster.

Anyone interested should visit www.bwnd.co.uk or call (01985) 844095.

New experiences for enthusiasts

SCORES of enthusiastic people turned up to try gliding at an open day on Sunday.

Their motivation ranged from wanting an adrenaline rush to hoping to enjoy the view.

Chris Tuck, 62, from Mere, said: "I live just over the hill and I've seen the gliders and thought I would give it a try. I've only lived here for six months so it will be useful for finding my way around. I'm looking forward to the view more than anything and it seems similar to sailing a boat."

Richard Haworth, 60, from Marlborough, said: "It will be a new experience. I've never flown in a glider before and I'm interested to find out what it feels like. It will be an adrenaline rush."

Bob Chetwynd, 58, from Westbury, said: "I thought it was time to have a go. I'm not nervous at all, just here to enjoy it. It's the flying I'm looking forward to."