Scared of Heights, So She Became a World-Class Glider Pilot: Claudia Hill Story

Claudia joins Michelle to share how someone who is “really, really scared of heights” 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. Key Takeaways Claudia’s fear and how she flies anyway Claudia still has a genuine fear of heights and can have panic attacks on ladders and chairlifts. 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. How she fell into gliding and never looked back She first tried gliding at a small German club while at university in Cologne, after being told, “We’re all scared of heights, don’t worry.” What competitive gliding really looks like 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. Field landings and safety in gliding Landing in farmers’ fields (“landing out”) is a normal and trained-for part of cross‑country gliding. Pilots are taught how to pick safe fields, plan a circuit, and land smoothly; most landouts are “non‑events.” 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. Gliders, engines and why she feels safer without one A glider is essentially a normal aircraft without an engine: same controls (rudder, ailerons, elevator), but designed to glide efficiently. Many modern gliders have small retractable engines for “limping home,” but Claudia’s 51‑year‑old glider doesn’t. 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.” Travel, childhood and a life of exploring 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. Returning to Germany at eight, she already knew she wanted to live abroad and travel—and still feels childlike excitement on big commercial aircraft. Dealing with pressure and rediscovering fun After rapid progress—first comp in 2006, first Women’s Worlds in 2013—she began putting huge pressure on herself. One nationals with eight amazing flying days was “miserable” because of self‑imposed expectations. 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). Timestamps [00:01:34] – Claudia introduced on the “She Who Dares Wins” podcast [00:02:00] – “Really scared of heights… and a British gliding team member” [00:04:16] – First gliding lesson in Germany and signing up the same day [00:07:38] – What competition gliding is and why it’s like sailing [00:13:55] – Landing in farmers’ fields and how gliders are taken apart [00:19:18] – Why she feels safer in a glider than in a powered aircraft [00:28:06] – Winning a silver medal at the Women’s World Gliding Championship [00:33:43] – Women in gliding, “dinosaurs” and the power of allies

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