Volunteer Gliding Squadron
Encyclopedia
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGSs) are Royal Air Force
Flying Training Units (FTUs), operating military Viking TX.1 (conventional) and Vigilant T.1 (motor) gliders to train Air Cadets
from the Combined Cadet Force
and the Air Training Corps
.
The VGSs operating under No.1 Elementary Flying Training School, within No.22 (Training) Group
of the Royal Air Force Air Command
. The 28 Units, along with the Royal Air Force Central Gliding School, are standardised annually by the Royal Air Force Central Flying School
. Formerly under the Air Cadet Organisation
preceding 2010, Headquarters Air Cadets presently still retains administrative and logistic support.
VGSs are made up of volunteer staff. Each is headed by a Commanding Officer
and several executives, all of whom are commissioned into the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Instructors comprise a mixture of regular RAF/RN/Army personnel, Reservists, Civilian Gliding Instructors (CGIs) and Flight Staff Cadets (FSCs).
(later to become RAF Home Command
). In 1955, RAF Flying Training Command
took over the responsibility and amalgamated them into 27 gliding schools under Headquarters Air Cadets. At the same time the gliding schools were renumbered with three-digit numbers, the first two digits being the parent Home Command Group (Nos. 61, 62, 63, 64, 66 or 67). In 1968, RAF Training Command
was established, incorporating Flying Training Command. In 1977, Training Command was absorbed into RAF Support Command
, and then moved into Personnel and Training Command on its establishment in 1994 before being subsumed into Air Command
in March 2007, where the gliding schools rest today.
Under Air Command, the chain of command for these units are regulated through No.22 (Training) Group RAF. On behalf of AOC No.22 (Training) Group RAF, the Volunteer Gliding Squadrons and the Central Gliding School are the collective responsibility of the OC No.1 Elementary Flying Training.
From Demcember 2011, an organisational restructure at RAF Cranwell
will place the VGSs and the Central Gliding School under No.3 Flying Training School.
to train Qualified Gliding Instructors for the gliding schools. With the disestablishment of Home Command, HCGIS was split into two Gliding Centres to accommodate the gliding schools in the north and south of the UK. A further reorganisation amalgamated the Gliding Centres into the Central Gliding School in 1972 at RAF Spitalgate
, where it renamed the Air Cadet Central Gliding School (ACCGS) in 1974. In 2009, following the formal approval of the CGS unit badge, the Air Cadet Central Gliding School was renamed the Royal Air Force Central Gliding School and in 2010 restructured under No.1 Elementary Flying Training School.
The CGS is commanded by a Wing Commander RAF, who also acts as OC Flying for RAF Syerston
. The Chief Instructor is a Squadron Leader RAF. The examiners of the CGS, are Flight Lieutenant RAFR and Squadron Leader RAFR officers, however all future appointments shall be RAFVR(T) commissions.
gliders. In order to achieve this, in 1983 the RAF acquired an initial batch of 10 Schleicher ASK 21 named Vanguard TX.1. The first examples were delivered to the ACCGS at Syerston in time for the new Instructors' courses to take place. The first VGS to equip with these was 618 VGS at RAF West Malling
. Instructors from this unit were converted to the new training syllabus and flying the type during July and August of that year. The first Vanguard TX.1s were delivered to West Malling in July 1983 and training for Cadets began in August.
After the initial 10 were delivered Alexander Schleicher was unwilling to open a production line for the MoD, as they did not want to sideline their civilian market. A tender was issued and Grob Aerospace was awarded the contract to supply 100 Grob G 103 Twin II Acro Gliders. The Royal Air Force named the military variant as the Viking TX.1 in Air Cadet service. A single specimen was delivered to Slingsby Aviation in the UK for fatigue life testing.
Commissioned posts on VGS include:
Other appointed roles include:
Instructor qualifications can be attained following the completion of a course at the Royal Air Force Central Gliding School:
Professional instructor qualifications can be attained following the completion of an examination by the Royal Air Force Central Flying School Gliding Examiners:
Additional ratings:
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Flying Training Units (FTUs), operating military Viking TX.1 (conventional) and Vigilant T.1 (motor) gliders to train Air Cadets
Air Cadets
Air Cadets may refer to:* Members of the British Air Training Corps or Combined Cadet Force* Members of the Australian Air Force Cadets* Members of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets* Members of the New Zealand Air Training Corps, New Zealand Cadet Forces...
from the Combined Cadet Force
Combined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force is a Ministry of Defence sponsored youth organisation in the United Kingdom. Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance,...
and the Air Training Corps
Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps , commonly known as the Air Cadets, is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation and the Royal Air Force . It is supported by the Ministry of Defence, with a regular RAF Officer, currently Air...
.
The VGSs operating under No.1 Elementary Flying Training School, within No.22 (Training) Group
No. 22 Group RAF
Number 22 Group is one of only three groups currently active in the Royal Air Force, falling under the responsibility of Deputy Commander-in-Chief in Air Command. Its current full title is Number 22 Group and it is responsible for RAF training policy and controlling the Royal Air Force College...
of the Royal Air Force Air Command
Air Command
Air Command may refer to:* Royal Canadian Air Force, known as Air Command from 1968 to 2011* RAAF Air Command * RAF Air Command * Air Command International Gyrocopter manufacturers....
. The 28 Units, along with the Royal Air Force Central Gliding School, are standardised annually by the Royal Air Force Central Flying School
Central Flying School
The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 it is the longest existing flying training school.-History:...
. Formerly under the Air Cadet Organisation
Air Cadet Organisation
The Air Cadet Organisation is the collective name for the UK cadet forces sponsored by the Royal Air Force. The organisation is subordinate to No. 22 Group RAF, with a serving RAF officer as Commandant Air Cadets. The current Commandant is Air Commodore Barbara Cooper CBE...
preceding 2010, Headquarters Air Cadets presently still retains administrative and logistic support.
VGSs are made up of volunteer staff. Each is headed by a Commanding Officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
and several executives, all of whom are commissioned into the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Instructors comprise a mixture of regular RAF/RN/Army personnel, Reservists, Civilian Gliding Instructors (CGIs) and Flight Staff Cadets (FSCs).
Preface
Gliding was first introduced around 1939, but formally became part of the official training after 1943. Post 1946, 87 Gliding Schools (GSs) came under the Reserve Command.Command
Initially the gliding schools were established under RAF Reserve CommandRAF Home Command
RAF Home Command was the Royal Air Force command which was responsible for the maintenance and training of reserve organisations from formation on 1 February 1939 as RAF Reserve Command with interruptions until it ceased to exist on 1 April 1959.-History:...
(later to become RAF Home Command
RAF Home Command
RAF Home Command was the Royal Air Force command which was responsible for the maintenance and training of reserve organisations from formation on 1 February 1939 as RAF Reserve Command with interruptions until it ceased to exist on 1 April 1959.-History:...
). In 1955, RAF Flying Training Command
RAF Flying Training Command
Flying Training Command was an organization within the Royal Air Force which controlled units responsible for delivering flying training. The command's headquarters were at Shinfield Park, Reading in Berkshire.-History:...
took over the responsibility and amalgamated them into 27 gliding schools under Headquarters Air Cadets. At the same time the gliding schools were renumbered with three-digit numbers, the first two digits being the parent Home Command Group (Nos. 61, 62, 63, 64, 66 or 67). In 1968, RAF Training Command
RAF Training Command
Training Command was the RAF's command responsible for flying and ground training from 1936 to 1940 and again from 1968 to 1977.-History:Training Command was formed from Inland Area on 1 May 1936 and absorbed into RAF Support Command on 13 June 1977...
was established, incorporating Flying Training Command. In 1977, Training Command was absorbed into RAF Support Command
RAF Support Command
-History:It was formed on 31 August 1973 by the renaming of Maintenance Command, with No. 90 Group being added to it. Its responsibilities included all logistical and maintenance support requirements of the RAF...
, and then moved into Personnel and Training Command on its establishment in 1994 before being subsumed into Air Command
RAF Air Command
Air Command is the only Command currently active in the Royal Air Force. It was formed by the merger of Royal Air Force Strike and Personnel and Training Commands on 1 April 2007, and has its headquarters at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire....
in March 2007, where the gliding schools rest today.
Under Air Command, the chain of command for these units are regulated through No.22 (Training) Group RAF. On behalf of AOC No.22 (Training) Group RAF, the Volunteer Gliding Squadrons and the Central Gliding School are the collective responsibility of the OC No.1 Elementary Flying Training.
From Demcember 2011, an organisational restructure at RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. It is currently commanded by Group Captain Dave Waddington...
will place the VGSs and the Central Gliding School under No.3 Flying Training School.
Formation of the Central Gliding School (CGS)
Formulated in 1946, the Home Command Gliding Instructors School (HCGIS) was established in 1949 at RAF DetlingRAF Detling
RAF Detling was a station of the Royal Naval Air Service in World War I and the Royal Air Force in World War II. Situated 600 feet above sea level, it is located near Detling, a village about three miles north-east of Maidstone, in Kent....
to train Qualified Gliding Instructors for the gliding schools. With the disestablishment of Home Command, HCGIS was split into two Gliding Centres to accommodate the gliding schools in the north and south of the UK. A further reorganisation amalgamated the Gliding Centres into the Central Gliding School in 1972 at RAF Spitalgate
RAF Spitalgate
RAF Spitalgate formerly known as RFCS Grantham and RAF Grantham was a Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force station, located south east of the centre of Grantham, Lincolnshire, England fronting onto the main A52 road.-History:...
, where it renamed the Air Cadet Central Gliding School (ACCGS) in 1974. In 2009, following the formal approval of the CGS unit badge, the Air Cadet Central Gliding School was renamed the Royal Air Force Central Gliding School and in 2010 restructured under No.1 Elementary Flying Training School.
The CGS is commanded by a Wing Commander RAF, who also acts as OC Flying for RAF Syerston
RAF Syerston
RAF Syerston is a Royal Air Force station in the parish of Flintham, near Newark, Nottinghamshire. It was used as a bomber base during World War II.-Bomber Command:...
. The Chief Instructor is a Squadron Leader RAF. The examiners of the CGS, are Flight Lieutenant RAFR and Squadron Leader RAFR officers, however all future appointments shall be RAFVR(T) commissions.
From wood to GRP
The RAF chose to re-equip the ageing fleet with the first of the modern GRPGlass-reinforced plastic
Fiberglass , is a fiber reinforced polymer made of a plastic matrix reinforced by fine fibers of glass. It is also known as GFK ....
gliders. In order to achieve this, in 1983 the RAF acquired an initial batch of 10 Schleicher ASK 21 named Vanguard TX.1. The first examples were delivered to the ACCGS at Syerston in time for the new Instructors' courses to take place. The first VGS to equip with these was 618 VGS at RAF West Malling
RAF West Malling
RAF West Malling was a Royal Air Force station near West Malling in Kent, England.Originally used as a landing area during the first World War, the site opened as a private landing ground and in 1930, then known as Kingshill, home to the Maidstone School of Flying, before being renamed West Malling...
. Instructors from this unit were converted to the new training syllabus and flying the type during July and August of that year. The first Vanguard TX.1s were delivered to West Malling in July 1983 and training for Cadets began in August.
After the initial 10 were delivered Alexander Schleicher was unwilling to open a production line for the MoD, as they did not want to sideline their civilian market. A tender was issued and Grob Aerospace was awarded the contract to supply 100 Grob G 103 Twin II Acro Gliders. The Royal Air Force named the military variant as the Viking TX.1 in Air Cadet service. A single specimen was delivered to Slingsby Aviation in the UK for fatigue life testing.
Introduction of motor gliders
The Venture T.1 was trialed at the ACCGS at RAF Spitalgate in 1971/73. 10 GSs were first issued with the T.1 variant in 1977, but were quickly upgraded with the TX.2. With the development of many sites and closures of many RAF aerodromes put strain on many conventional VGS. Further GSs were allocated with the TX.2s. In 1991 the Venture TX.2 was replaced with the Vigilant T.1. Originally designated the Vigilant TX.1, the glider designation 'X' was dropped due to its change of role. The number of VGSs now operating Viking TX.1 to Vigilant T.1 are 12:16.Disbandment of the Competition Fleet
In 2000, ACO-COS Group Captain Mike Cross announced the sale of the Valiant TX.1 and Kestrel TX.1 fleets. This concluded the RAF's many successful years competing in National Gliding Competitions and setting World Records.Schools to squadrons
Initially established as Gliding Schools, the GSs were re-designated Volunteer Gliding Schools (VGSs) in 1978. In 2005, following a decision by the Royal Air Force Board, the VGSs were renamed Volunteer Gliding Squadrons, keeping their VGS abbreviation.Air Cadets to Royal Air Force
Following the restructure in 2005, a further reorganisation was initiated in 2010 by AOC 22 Group RAF. On the 1st April 2010, Command and Control together with the responsibility for supervision and regulation of the Central Gliding School and 27 Volunteer Gliding Squadrons was moved from the Air Cadet Organisation to the Directorate of Flying Training under No 1 Elementary Flying School (No 1 EFTS).Present Conventional Glider VGSs
- 611 VGS (STANTA AirfieldRAF WattonRoyal Air Force Station Watton is a former military airfield in Norfolk, England. The airfield is located approximately south-southwest of East Dereham....
), formerly 102 GS - 614 VGS (MDPGA Wethersfield), formerly 142 GS, 146 GS and 147 GS
- 615 VGS (RAF KenleyRAF KenleyThe former Royal Air Force Station Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley was a station of the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and the RAF in World War II. It is located near Kenley, London, England.-History:...
), formerly 141 GS and 168 GS - 617 VGS Currently Homeless (formerly at RAF ManstonRAF ManstonRAF Manston was an RAF station in the north-east of Kent, at on the Isle of Thanet from 1916 until 1996. The site is now split between a commercial airport Kent International Airport and a continuing military use by the Defence Fire Training and Development Centre , following on from a long...
and before that at RAF Hendon) - 621 VGS (HullavingtonRAF HullavingtonRAF Hullavington was a Royal Air Force station in Hullavington, near Chippenham, Wiltshire.RAF Hullavington has switched regiments. At the current time it is RLC-Royal Logistic Corps.-History:Opened on 9 July 1937 as a Flying Training School....
), formerly 87 GS and formerly at Locking Airfield W-S-M - 622 VGS (Trenchard LinesRAF UpavonThe former Royal Air Force Station Upavon, more commonly known as RAF Upavon, was a grass airfield, military flight training school, and administrative headquarters of the Royal Air Force....
), formerly 89 GS - 625 VGS (HullavingtonRAF HullavingtonRAF Hullavington was a Royal Air Force station in Hullavington, near Chippenham, Wiltshire.RAF Hullavington has switched regiments. At the current time it is RLC-Royal Logistic Corps.-History:Opened on 9 July 1937 as a Flying Training School....
), formerly 83 GS - 626 VGS (Predannack), formerly 82 GS
- 643 VGS (RAF SyerstonRAF SyerstonRAF Syerston is a Royal Air Force station in the parish of Flintham, near Newark, Nottinghamshire. It was used as a bomber base during World War II.-Bomber Command:...
), formerly 107 EGS - 661 VGS (RAF KirknewtonRAF KirknewtonRAF Kirknewton is a Royal Air Force station at Whitemoss, a mile south east of Kirknewton, West Lothian, Scotland.Primarily an RAF radar base, RAF Kirknewton was home to a variety of units during the war. No...
), formerly 1 EGS - 662 VGS (RMB Condor), formerly 2 GS and 5 GS
Present Motor Glider VGSs
- 612 VGS (Dalton BarracksRAF AbingdonRAF Abingdon was a Royal Air Force station near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. It is now known as Dalton Barracks and is used by the Royal Logistic Corps....
), formerly 104 GS - 613 VGS (RAF HaltonRAF HaltonRAF Halton is one of the largest Royal Air Force stations in the United Kingdom, located near the village of Halton near Wendover, Buckinghamshire.HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Halton.-History:...
), formerly C122 GS - 616 VGS (RAF HenlowRAF HenlowRAF Henlow is a Royal Air Force station in Bedfordshire, England, equidistant from Bedford, Luton and Stevenage. It houses the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine, the RAF Signals Museum and 616 Volunteer Gliding Squadron.- History :...
), formerly 106 GS - 618 VGS (RAF OdihamRAF OdihamRAF Odiham is a Royal Air Force station situated a little to the south of the historic small village of Odiham in Hampshire, England. It is the home of the Royal Air Force's heavy lift helicopter, the Chinook HC2, HC2A and HC3...
), (AMPAF) formerly 146 GS and 168 GS - 624 VGS (RMB Chivenor), formerly 84 GS
- 631 VGS (RAF WoodvaleRAF WoodvaleRAF Woodvale is a Royal Air Force Station located south of Southport, Merseyside in a small town called Formby. Although constructed as an all-weather night fighter airfield for the defence of Liverpool, it did not open until 7 December 1941...
), formerly 186 GS - 632 VGS (RAF TernhillRAF TernhillRAF Ternhill is a small Royal Air Force station at Ternhill in Shropshire, near the towns of Newport and Market Drayton. The station, home of Volunteer Gliding Squadron 632, was a helicopter base but is now principally used as an outpost for the tri-service helicopter training establishment at RAF...
), formerly 45 GS - 633 VGS (DCAE CosfordRAF CosfordRAF Cosford is a Royal Air Force station in Cosford, Shropshire, just to the northwest of Wolverhampton and next to Albrighton.-History:...
) - 634 VGS (MOD St. Athan), formerly 68 GS
- 635 VGS (RAF TopcliffeRAF TopcliffeRAF Topcliffe is a Royal Air Force station in North Yorkshire. It is a satellite station of RAF Linton-on-Ouse.Topcliffe opened in September 1940 as a bomber station in RAF Bomber Command and was home to 77 and 102 Squadrons flying the Whitley heavy bomber. There was a decoy site at Raskelf...
) (Formerly at BAE Salmesbury) - 636 VGS (Swansea AirportSwansea AirportSwansea Airport is an airport located at Fairwood Common on the Gower Peninsula west south-west of Swansea, Wales.-Operations:Swansea Airport has a CAA Ordinary Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee...
) - 637 VGS (RAF Little RissingtonRAF Little RissingtonRAF Little Rissington is an RAF aerodrome and former RAF station in Gloucestershire, England. It was once home to the Central Flying School, the Vintage Pair and the Red Arrows.Built during the 1930s, the station was opened in 1938 and closed in 1994...
) - 642 VGS (RAF Linton-on-OuseRAF Linton-on-OuseRAF Linton-on-Ouse is a Royal Air Force station at Linton-on-Ouse near York in Yorkshire, England. It is currently a major flying training centre, one of the RAF's busiest airfields...
), formerly 23 GS - 644 VGS (RAF SyerstonRAF SyerstonRAF Syerston is a Royal Air Force station in the parish of Flintham, near Newark, Nottinghamshire. It was used as a bomber base during World War II.-Bomber Command:...
), formerly 29 EGS - 645 VGS (RAF TopcliffeRAF TopcliffeRAF Topcliffe is a Royal Air Force station in North Yorkshire. It is a satellite station of RAF Linton-on-Ouse.Topcliffe opened in September 1940 as a bomber station in RAF Bomber Command and was home to 77 and 102 Squadrons flying the Whitley heavy bomber. There was a decoy site at Raskelf...
), formerly 26 GS - 663 VGS (RAF KinlossRAF KinlossRAF Kinloss is a Royal Air Force station near Kinloss, on the Moray Firth in the north of Scotland. It opened on 1 April 1939 and served as an RAF training establishment during the Second World War. After the war it was handed over to Coastal Command to watch over Russian ships and submarines in...
) - 664 VGS (NewtownardsNewtownardsNewtownards is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies at the most northern tip of Strangford Lough, 10 miles east of Belfast, on the Ards Peninsula. Newtownards is the largest town in the Borough of Ards. According to the 2001 Census, it has a population of 27,821 people in...
)
Personnel
Staff on a VGS consist of Full-Time personnel (usually specifically appointed Reserve Officers and Civilians), supernumerary personnel (who are regular members of the Armed Forces, or Reservists attached to the Cadet Force or Axillaries), and Flight Staff Cadets.Appointed personnel
Reserve Officers are appointed fulfill management positions mandated to operate a Squadron. Civilian's start under probation as Under Training Instructors. Their probation ends on attaining a C Category Qualified Gliding Instructor (QGI) status, where they become Honorary Instructors of the RAF. Personnel must attain a B-Category QGI rating before qualifying for a Reserve Commission for an intended appointment. Executive Officers (XOs) head the leadership of the Squadron as OC, CFI and DCFI.Commissioned posts on VGS include:
- Officer Commanding (OC)Commanding officerThe commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
in the rank of Squadron LeaderSquadron LeaderSquadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these... - Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) in the rank of Flight LieutenantFlight LieutenantFlight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
- Technical Officer (TechO) in the rank of Flight LieutenantFlight LieutenantFlight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
- Adjutant in the rank of Flying OfficerFlying OfficerFlying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
- Equipment Officer in the rank of Flying OfficerFlying OfficerFlying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
Other appointed roles include:
- Unit Navigation Officer (UNavO)
- Mechanical Transport Officer (MTO)
- Flight Safety Officer (FSO)
- Training Officer (TrgO)
Supernumerary personnel
Supernumerary personnel are part time staff whose primary appointment is elsewhere and their VGS appointment is their secondary duty. Personnel vary from various Commissioned and Non-Commissioned branches of the Regular, Reserve and Cadet Forces.Flight Staff Cadets
Air Cadets from either the Combined Cadet Force or Air Training Corps can be appointed as Flight Staff Cadets (FSCs) on a VGS. FSCs are selected, usually after completing Advanced Glider Training, for those who show potential to become Gliding Instructors. They do not act as a substitute for VGS adult personnel solely providing ground support. FSCs can progress to a B-Category (less the supervisory privelages). FSCs retain their association with their Cadet Unit for Cadet Forces membership, but transfer their primary appointment to the VGS.Flying training
Flying Training is carried out to the syllabus of the RAF Central Flying School. Ab-initio training starts with three initial courses, and are followed on with Basic Pilot Training to achieve flying Grades.- Gliding Induction Courses (GICs) - these are 20 - 30 minute sorties designed to give a basic appreciation of aircraft handling.
- Gliding Scholarship (GS) - is an 8 hour course to flying either aircraft types solo. An additional 2 hours can be awarded to achieve the course aim. Trainees attain the aircrew training standard GS. Two sets of Wings can be awarded to Air Cadets; Blue for completing the GS Syllubus to the required ATS, and Silver for flying a solo circuit.
- Advanced Gliding Training (AGT) - a short 5 hour course to provide a greater appreciation of advanced handling and five additional solo circuits. Trainees attain the aircrew training standard AGT. Air Cadets completing this course are awarded Gold Wings.
Flying qualificiations
The following Pilot qualifications can be obtained on VGSs:- Pilot Grade 2 (G2) - Qualified Solo on aircraft type.
- Pilot Grade 1 (G1) - Qualified on aircraft type, allowing with passengers to be flown. G1s are additionally authorised to teach GIC exercises, to provide handling experience required for an Instructor category.
Instructor qualifications can be attained following the completion of a course at the Royal Air Force Central Gliding School:
- C-Category Instructor - Flying Instructor under probation.
- B-Category Instructor - A competent Flying Instructor.
Professional instructor qualifications can be attained following the completion of an examination by the Royal Air Force Central Flying School Gliding Examiners:
- A2-Category Instructor - An above average Flying Instructor. This qualification is awarded with the post-nominal cfs(g).
- A1-Category Instructor - An exceptional Flying Instructor. This qualification is awarded with the post-nominal cfs*(g).
Additional ratings:
- Flying Supervisor (FS) for the roles of OC, CFI and DCFI
- Navigation Instructor Qualification (NIQ) for teaching instructors to award TQs and BNQs.
- Transit Qualification (TQ) for ferry flying
- Basic Navigation Qualification (BNQ) for teaching navigation.
In service
- Grob Aerospace Viking TX.1 (100 entered service, later reduced to around 77)
Single-seat
- BAC BAC TX.1British Aircraft CompanyThe British Aircraft Company was a British aircraft manufacturer based in Maidstone. It was founded by C H Lowe-Wylde and produced gliders and light aircraft during the 1930s.-Glider production:...
- Slingsby Cadet TX.1 (362 entered service)
- Slingsby Cadet TX.2Slingsby Kirby Tutor-See also:-References:* Ellison, N.H. British Gliders and Sailplanes 1922–1970. A & C Black, 1971* Simons, M. Slingsby Sailplanes. Airlife Publishing, 1996 - ISBN 1-85310-732-8...
(69 entered service) - Slingsby Grasshopper TX.1 (115 entered service)
- Slingsby Gull TX.1 (one entered service)
- Slingsby Kite TX.1Slingsby Kite-See also:-References:* Ellison, N.H. British Gliders and Sailplanes 1922-1970. A & C Black, 1971* Simons, M. Slingsby Sailplanes. Airlife Publishing, 1996 - ISBN 1-85310-732-8...
(one entered service) - Slingsby King Kite TX.1Slingsby King Kite-References:* Taylor, J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Studio Editions: London. p. 29 ISBN 0 7106 0017 8* Simons, Martin. “Slingsby Sailplanes”. Shrewsbury, Airlife. 1996...
(one entered service) - Slingsby Prefect TX.1Slingsby PrefectThe Slingsby T.30 Prefect is a postwar modernisation of the single-seat 1932 Grunau Baby glider. About 46 were built for civil and military training purposes.-Development:...
- Slingsby Primary TX.1Slingsby Primary-See also:-References:* Ellison, N.H. British Gliders and Sailplanes 1922-1970. A & C Black, 1971* Simons, M. Slingsby Sailplanes. Airlife Publishing, 1996 - ISBN 1-85310-732-8...
(31 entered service) - Slingsby Swallow TX.1Slingsby SwallowThe Slingsby Type 45 Swallow was designed as a club sailplane of reasonable performance and price. One of the most successful of Slingsby's gliders in sales terms, over 100 had been built when production was ended by the 1968 factory fire....
Dual-seat
- Slingsby Cadet TX.3Slingsby Tandem Tutor-See also:-Cited sources:* Ellison, N.H. British Gliders and Sailplanes 1922-1970. A & C Black, 1971* Coates, Andrew. “Jane's World Sailplanes & Motor Gliders new edition”. London, Jane's. 1980. ISBN 0 7106 0017 8-Other sources:...
(171 entered service) - Slingsby Falcon TX.3Slingsby Falcon III-References:* Ellison, N.H. British Gliders and Sailplanes 1922-1970. A & C Black, 1971* Simons, M. Slingsby Sailplanes. Airlife Publishing, 1996 - ISBN 1-85310-732-8...
(7 entered service) - Slingsby Sedbergh TX.1Slingsby T.21|-References:* Ellison, N.H. British Gliders and Sailplanes 1922-1970. A & C Black, 1971* Simons, M. Slingsby Sailplanes. Airlife Publishing, 1996 - ISBN 1-85310-732-8...
(95 entered service)
Dual-seat
- Schleicher Vanguard TX.1 (10 entered service)
- Schempp-Hirth Kestrel TX.1Schempp-Hirth Janus|-See also:...
(2 entered service)
In service
- Grob Aerospace Vigilant T.1 (53 entered service, later increased to 63)
No longer in service
- Slingsby Venture TX.1 (One entered service, mainly used at ACCGS)
- Slingsby Venture TX.2 (15 entered service, followed by a further 25)
See also
- Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
- List of aircraft of the RAF
- AircraftAircraftAn aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons
- 611 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 615 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 616 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 618 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 621 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 622 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 624 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 625 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 626 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 631 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 633 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 634 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 636 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 637 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 642 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 661 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 662 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
- 664 Volunteer Gliding Squadron