TEN young members of Brentor and Mary Tavy Group Beaver Scouts, accompanied by their leaders and several parents, were entertained by members of Dartmoor Gliding Society at the Brentor Airfield Clubhouse recently.

Although too small to sample the real thing, each of the young visitors had a chance to learn some of the basic skills on the club's flight simulator, accompanied by an instructor — some even managing to 'loop the loop' without even leaving the ground.

Their visit included a tour of the airfield and hangar, and concluded with cup cakes and distribution of model glider kits by gliding club committee member, Colin Boyd.

Afterwards, a vote of thanks was proposed to Colin and instructors Steve Lewis and Bob Pririe by Beaver leader Sandra Grylls.

Bob Pririe praised the young visitors for their enthusiasm and for the aptitude they demonstrated. Although it will be several years before the Beavers can start learning to glide, he said that following a recent change in European regulations, suitably-trained youngsters are now able to pilot gliders solo from the age of 14.

He added that the club hoped that some of the Beavers would be able to take to the skies over Brentor with an instructor at the controls in the not too distant future.