Our Teams

George Downing

CLUB CLASS

George's journey into gliding began at 16 at Lasham, where he quickly discovered his passion for soaring through the skies. After earning his pilot's license, he delved into cross-country flying, honing his skills in the Lasham Youth Astir, pushing the boundaries with each flight.

Now, at 21, George balances his soaring adventures with his Electrical and Electronic Engineering studies at the University of Nottingham.
Spending his time soaring at Lasham in the summer and instructing university students at RAF Cranwell in the winter, sharing his expertise and passion with aspiring pilots

George flies his dream glider, LD, the best ASW20! Alongside his teammate George White, George is eager to build on his international experience in club class and make the most of the season ahead.

George White

CLUB CLASS

George started gliding at Essex and Suffolk Gliding Club hoping to kickstart a career in aviation. He quickly found a passion for x-country flying after his first trip in the duo discus, flying a 300km task with an upset stomach, while still loving every minute.

At 16, George completed some big x-country flights in whatever he could get his hands on, earning him a place on the development squad. In 2020, George made the most of the covid-affected year, completing his first squad training camp at Issoudun, accelerating his development along the way.

Outside of gliding, George is completing a meteorology degree at Reading University, hoping to get a career accommodating for plenty of gliding!

After a successful season last year George is motivated to build on his international experience in club class with new teammate George Downing.

Henry Inigo-Jones

STD CLASS

Henry started gliding when he was 15 at Lasham with the evening youth group. His grandfather was an instructor at Lasham over 50 years ago and introduced him to the sport.

It was when he was in 6th form and discovered that he could come and fly after college to get out of playing rugby that Henry “caught the bug” and fell in love with soaring. He bought half a DG 300 in 2017 and entered his first Juniors that year.

In the winter when he’s not flying, Henry works as a chalet host and chef in the French ski resort Morzine, and hopes to one day set up his own chalet company.

Oliver Ramsay

STD CLASS

Oliver started gliding at Windrushers aged 13 and quickly became hooked. After soloing on his 14th birthday, Oliver moved to Oxford during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he soon fell in love with cross-country gliding.

At 16, he began to embark on solo adventures in the club's Astir, progressing to flying the ASW19, generously loaned by a club member, which carried him through his first and second years of competitions. Alongside studying A-levels in math, physics, and economics, he enjoys running, football, and rugby in his spare time.

Oliver eagerly awaits his first Junior Worlds in Poland this summer, flying the LS8 with Henry