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Gliding Induction Course (GIC)
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Gliding Scholarship (GS) |
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Starting with a series of induction courses, including a chance to take control of an aircraft in flight, cadets can quickly gain confidence with flying our Vigilant motor gliders. Enrolling on a Scholarship course is the logical next step, hopefully allowing you to wear either the blue GS wings or even a chance of flying solo and gaining the coveted silver wings! Competent, dedicated cadets can then aim to qualify for advanced training leading to gold wings. After that? Further training as a staff member? The sky is the limit!
GLIDING INDUCTION COURSE (GIC 1, GIC2, GIC3)
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The Starting point for your gliding experience at 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) will be a flight or series of flights in a Vigilant glider. You will begin by attending, with others from your Squadron, Detached Flight or CCF unit, the VGS to be taught the Gliding Induction Course (GIC). The GIC has been designed to give you a taste for Air Cadet Gliding and consists of 3 different levels of instruction. You will be shown various aspects of aerodynamics that you will have been taught in the classroom before being taught the "effects of controls" in the air. You will have the opportunity to take control and practice what you have learned. On your first visit you will be taught the GIC 1 and your subsequent visits you will progress to GIC 2 and 3. |
After you have completed the course, you will be awarded a GIC certificate. Course Content
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During training you will be shown and have the opportunity to practice:
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How the glider is maneuvered in the pitching plane (GIC 1) |
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How to maneuver the glider in the rolling plane (GIC 2) |
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How the rudder affects the glider in the yawing plane (GIC 3) |
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What happens when the glider stalls (GIC 3)
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Prerequisites
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You must be aged at least 13 years and 3 months |
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You must have the parent's consent to fly page signed in your record book or 3822 |
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You must have a high level of motivation |
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You must not have any temporary or permanent medical condition that would make flying unsafe for yourself or your pilot |
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Gliding Scholarship courses are an opportunity for cadets to undergo further training and achieve Gliding Scholarship Wings. A course consists of up to 8 hours in a Vigilant to achieve GS wings. Cadets showing the necessary aptitude are invited to progress to 'solo' standard and hopefully achieve the GS Solo Wings.
Blue Gliding Scholarship Wings |
If you want to be nominated for a Gliding Scholarship, let your Squadron or Unit staff know. Ideally you should have completed a GIC 1, 2 or 3, but it is not mandatory. You must be 16 years of age when you start the course and you will need a medical form (RAF Form 6424), which is available upon request from your staff. Take this form to your local doctor and ask them to complete it (you must retain the form because you will have to present it to the VGS on commencement of a GS Course). Once completed the Form is valid for 2 years, as long as nothing medically untoward happens to you. After you have completed the medical (no examination required – it is completed by reference to your medical notes), and your doctor has signed the form to confirm that you are fit to undergo glider pilot training, you are ready for a course. |
Silver Gliding Scholarship Solo Wings |
It is then a matter of a course becoming available. Courses are available in two formats, either over successive weekends until you have completed the course or a continuous week-long course (usually in the summer, however they are held all year round at the Air Cadet Central Gliding School at RAF Syerston). You must have the commitment to attend a GS course, as it can be difficult to predict the exact time it will take to complete as it depends on your own progress and the weather. Typically in summer a course will take 3 weekends to complete. Successful completion of the course will entitle you to wear the Blue GS wings. You will have done well to get this far. For cadets showing the required aptitude, there may be the opportunity to progress further and possibly reach the solo standard (an extra 20% is allowed for further training to reach solo). Should you manage this and successfully complete a solo circuit you will be entitled to wear the Silver GS wings.
Prerequisites
You must be 16 years of age Parent's consent to fly signed in service book or 3822 RAF Medical Form 6424 completed (if you have a medical condition, you can be assessed for glider pilot training by forwarding, via your unit, to HQAC for further consideration) You must have a high level of motivation and be prepared to attend a VGS until your course is complete No temporary or permanent medical condition that would make flying unsafe for cadet or pilot.
Note: Other Voluntary Gliding Schools can offer the same training using winch launched Viking gliders. Instead of the 8 hours used in a Vigilant the course consists of up to 40 launches.
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ADVANCED GLIDING TRAINING (AGT)
Gold Advanced Glider Training Wings |
After completing the GS to solo standard and subject to approval by the Commanding Officer of a VGS, it is possible for cadets to go on to do the Advanced Glider Training course (AGT). It is aimed at cadets that show an ambition to either join the RAF or wish to join the VGS as a staff member. The AGT consists of 3 stages, the first two stages completed at the VGS and the third at the central gliding school. During the AGT cadets will learn advanced gliding techniques such as handling, stalling, advanced turns, cir with crosswind & landings, and at least 5 solo flights are taken during the course. Joining the VGS as a staff cadet member requires you to attend the school on most weekends, helping to run the school and allowing you to continue your training to AGT. Prerequisites At least 16 years of age, having completed a Gliding Scholarship course and gained silver solo wings. |
ADULT STAFF GLIDER WINGS
Glider Pilot Wings |
Glider Pilot Wings (G1 and C category) Gliding Instructor (B instructors category & above) |
Gliding Instructor Wings
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