{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6502ec015032c7001167fc64/699c2b32166f176858d66345?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Scared of Heights, So She Became a World-Class Glider Pilot: Claudia Hill Story","description":"<p>Claudia joins Michelle to share how someone who is&nbsp;<em>“really, really scared of heights”</em>&nbsp;became a glider pilot, instructor, and member of the British gliding team. From panic on step ladders to flying at 12,000 feet in Australia, Claudia breaks down the reality of gliding: the tactics, the weather, the landouts in farmers’ fields, and the joy of silent flight. She also talks candidly about pressure in competition, being a woman in a male‑dominated aviation world, and how “just going to have fun” transformed her performance on the world stage.</p><h2>Key Takeaways</h2><p>Claudia’s fear and how she flies anyway</p><ul><li>Claudia still has a genuine fear of heights and can have panic attacks on ladders and chairlifts.</li><li>In a glider, however, she feels safe and in control—until a vintage open‑cockpit flight triggered a mid‑air panic attack that she had to talk herself through alone.</li></ul><p>How she fell into gliding and never looked back</p><ul><li>She first tried gliding at a small German club while at university in Cologne, after being told,&nbsp;<em>“We’re all scared of heights, don’t worry.”</em></li></ul><p>What competitive gliding really looks like</p><ul><li>Glider racing is like “aerial chess” and often compared to sailing: pilots fly a set task around turning points and back to base; fastest wins.</li></ul><p>Field landings and safety in gliding</p><ul><li>Landing in farmers’ fields (“landing out”) is a normal and trained-for part of cross‑country gliding.</li><li>Pilots are taught how to pick safe fields, plan a circuit, and land smoothly; most landouts are “non‑events.”</li><li>Gliders have a single main wheel, can be disassembled on site, and trailered home. August stubble fields are ideal, as they minimise damage to crops and aircraft.</li></ul><p>Gliders, engines and why she feels safer without one</p><ul><li>A glider is essentially a normal aircraft without an engine: same controls (rudder, ailerons, elevator), but designed to glide efficiently.</li><li>Many modern gliders have small retractable engines for “limping home,” but Claudia’s 51‑year‑old glider doesn’t.</li><li>She actually relaxes in the motor glider only once she’s in the landing circuit with the throttle closed—“Now I’m in a glider. Now I know what I’m doing.”</li></ul><p>Travel, childhood and a life of exploring</p><ul><li>Claudia was born in Afghanistan and grew up in countries like Nigeria, Bangladesh and Ivory Coast due to her father’s work in development projects.</li><li>Returning to Germany at eight, she already knew she wanted to live abroad and travel—and still feels childlike excitement on big commercial aircraft.</li></ul><p>Dealing with pressure and rediscovering fun</p><ul><li>After rapid progress—first comp in 2006, first Women’s Worlds in 2013—she began putting huge pressure on herself.</li><li>One nationals with eight amazing flying days was “miserable” because of self‑imposed expectations.</li><li>Her turning point: ignore yesterday’s scores, focus only on today’s flight, and prioritise fun. Once she did that, her flying improved and results followed (including a silver medal at the Women’s World Gliding Championship in the UK).</li></ul><h2>Timestamps </h2><ol><li>[00:01:34]&nbsp;– Claudia introduced on the “She Who Dares Wins” podcast</li><li>[00:02:00]&nbsp;– “Really scared of heights… and a British gliding team member”</li><li>[00:04:16]&nbsp;– First gliding lesson in Germany and signing up the same day</li><li>[00:07:38]&nbsp;– What competition gliding is and why it’s like sailing</li><li>[00:13:55]&nbsp;– Landing in farmers’ fields and how gliders are taken apart</li><li>[00:19:18]&nbsp;– Why she feels safer in a glider than in a powered aircraft</li><li>[00:28:06]&nbsp;– Winning a silver medal at the Women’s World Gliding Championship</li><li>[00:33:43]&nbsp;– Women in gliding, “dinosaurs” and the power of allies</li></ol><p><br></p><p>Join Dare club: <a href=\"https://stan.store/shewhodareswins\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://stan.store/shewhodareswins</a></p><p>Shop Merch <a href=\"www.shewhodareswins.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">www.shewhodareswins.com</a></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"Michelle Hands"}