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Reigning world champion, Andy Davis, is one of the most experienced competitors in world gliding and he lives right here in Gloucestershire. Andy, who lives in Uley, first represented the UK at the 1981 World Championships and has been selected for every world championship since.

Glider pilot Andy Davis

After a second place in 1989, he won his first world title in the Standard Class in 1993. Ten years later, in 2003, he regained this title after a thrilling contest with two French pilots, Laurent Aboulin, the defending champion, and Olivier Darroze. His world championship form has been amazingly consistent, having finished outside the top six on only a couple of occasions.

What's gliding all about?

Gliding is both a recreational activity and, as Andy has proved, a competitive sport. Those who take part fly unpowered aircraft known as gliders or sailplanes, using rising air masses to keep them aloft for hours. Two of the most common of sources of staying airbourne are:

• Thermals - this source of lift is generated by the sun's energy heating the ground which heats the air directly above it. This warm air then rises in columns which gives the gliders their lift.

• Ridge Lifts - this type of lift is created when wind meets a vertical object like a mountain or cliff. Air is directed upwards as a result and gliders use the features to gain altitude by flying along them.

There are also several different varieties of glider available to the pilot. Andy won his first world title in the Standard Class; this type of aircraft is defined as having a span of 15 metres, no retractable undercarriages, no lift-enhancing devices such as flaps and no flight-disposable ballast.

Today gliding is enjoyed by men and women alike, from teenagers to pensioners - it is considered to be a sport of universal appeal.

A glider in action

In the family

Gliding runs in Andy's family. He started flying at Bath and Wiltshire Gliding Club, where his father Bill was chief flying instructor. Andy made his first solo flight shortly after his 16th birthday and won the first of his national titles in 1978 aged just 21.

Whilst continuing to compete at the highest level, Andy is also a current British team coach and was one of the founders of the British Team coaching operation that has helped British pilots secure many international medals in recent years, including seven world championship gold medals in the previous four years.

Andy was also awarded an MBE for services to gliding in this year's Birthday Honours List.

Ironically Andy's day job also involves flying in a very different sort of machine. He is a pilot for British Airways, flying Boeing 777s.

Flying in Glos

Andy is a member of Bristol and Gloucestershire Gliding Club at Nympsfield, near Stroud, where he owns a share in both a single seat Discus 2a and a 2 seater Duo Discus sailplane.

The club was originally formed in 1938 and moved to its home at Nympsfield in 1956. It is situated on the edge of the Cotswolds and has breathtaking views over the Severn Estuary.

The club has about 200 members, with a fleet of eight gliders, with two tug-aircraft and around 70 private gliders.

The view from a glider

The location of the club means that pilots can face soaring winds created by the Cotswold's ridges, known as 'Nympsfield Northerlies.' Air conditions can be turbulent and with the gliders able to perform aerobatics, it can be known as an extreme sport and is not for the faint hearted.

Although, when the conditions are mild, gliding can be peaceful and relaxing, as well as an excellent way to enjoy the views of the countryside.

Andy Davis will be defending his standard class world title at the 2006 FAI World Championships in Sweden, which will take place from 5th to 17th June.