SEVERN VALLEY SAILPLANES GROUP
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Profile
One of the UK's premier glider repairers
Based on the edge of the Cotswolds, near the airfields at Nympsfield and Aston Down, we are centrally situated to serve most of central England and the West Country together with a large part of Wales.
This has not stopped customers from the London clubs and even as far away as Australia availing themselves of our services.
Severn Valley Sailplanes is one of the UK's premier glider repairers, and has been involved in the maintenance and repair of gliders since the late eighties.
While we may not be the biggest glider repairer in the UK we like to think that we offer a personal service to our customers. We take great pride in giving good service to all members of the gliding community, offering both individuals and clubs value for money without sacrificing quality.
Over the years we have skillfully undertaken major repairs to both wooden and composite gliders, to the complete satisfaction of the owners and insurance companies. Our excellent relationship with insurance companies and their assessors smoothes the way forward in the event of you making a claim. This reduces delays ensuring that you get back in the sky as quickly as possible.
In November 2002 we launched a new web site based shop supplying user friendly sized repair material kits and associated products. This has due to demand expanded to include instruments, pilot supplies and trailer and tow out parts. The shop now operated not only via the web but also in paper catalogue format as well.
Alongside all of the above we also manufacture new parts for commercial aviation and motorsport market within our Composite Division
We have invested in both the equipment and the skills to allow us to manufacture using the latest, and best, advanced composite materials available. As a result we carry an ISO AS9100 accreditation for this work.
Meet the team
Martin Carolan
Having started his career working on accident damaged cars Martin transferred the skills he had learnt to gliders. In 1987 he started work with Roger Targett Sailplane Services In 1990 he formed his own company Severn Valley Sailplanes. Until 2006 he personally under took all repairs and maintenance. Today Martin's prime responsibility is the day to day management of the company which now employs 8 staff carrying out not only glider maintenance and repair but is the UK's premier supplier of repair materials and general spares.
Adam
Originally from Poland Adam has nearly 20 years experience of repairing gliders having worked for many of the major repairers in Poland. He joined us in 2006 and is well and truly part of the team. His skill is based on the training he received in Poland where he was chief repair technician for Glider Services run by Henryk Mynarski. It would be fair to say that Adam can quite literally turn his hand to anything and equally at home carrying out a major repair as he is at re-wiring a panel. Today it is most likely Adam who will carry out any work we undertake and the quality of the finished job is a testament to his ability. Adam holds a BGA Inspectors approval.
Julian joined us in the autumn of 2011 and has responsibility for the shop website. Over the next few months he will be helping to develop a more up to date shop taking into account developments in the web since our first shop was created.
Karen is office based and has responsibilty for administering the composite side of the business.
Andy is part of our skilled production team working with Rohacell products
John is part of our skilled production team working with Rohacell products
Chris is part of our skilled production team working the CNC machines.
Juli
(No the spelling is correct) Runs our stores and web based shop. Hers is the voice you are most likely to get when you call us. A truly local girl her Gloucestershire accent is as thick as they come. Juli joined us in 2008. Her patient nature puts customers at ease and allows them to describe the parts they need or sort out problems. Juli loves to chat and is a real asset to the shop.
Is our longest serving member of staff and joined us in 2004 when our On-line shop first started. Looking after our accounts, stock and suppliers is Pam's primary role. She has a good understanding of our shop products, is always chatty and has a helpful nature.