Flying and Gliding

Gliding

Once a cadet is enrolled they are offered the chance to go Gliding in a Vigilent Motor powered glider (as seen in the picture to the left.). Castleford squadron attends 642 Squadron VGS based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Each cadet is given the opportunity to go gliding at least once a year. 

  
Cadets participate in a Gliding Induction Course (GIC), where various aspects of aerodynamics learnt in the classroom are demonstrated practically. The cadet will also be given the opportunity to take control of the aircraft and experience controlling it for themselves. Once a cadet has reached the age of sixteen they are given the opportunity to undergo further training as part of the Gliding Scholarship Scheme. This includes further training and instruction and 10 hours flying time. After completing this the cadet will be award there blue wings. Cadets who have shown the correct aptitude will be invited back to progress to solo standard and achieve there silver GS wings.

For the cadets that excel at this they can be invited back as a staff cadet to help with the training of other cadets, and to undergo training as instructors. 2388 Castleford Squadron currently has 2 members seconded to 642 squadron that are staff cadets. To view a profile of them and there activities with 642 squadron please click below.

(profile coming soon)

Flying

Also cadets are given the chance to fly with the local Air Experience Flight Squadron (AEF), where they have the chance to go flying in the RAF’s primary training aircraft the Grob Tutor, which is a two seat dual control aircraft. The local AEF squadron (9 AEF) is based at the near by RAF Church Fenton. Cadets are regularly given the opportunity to fly throughout the year. Flying clothing and equipment is provided, all cadets are thoroughly briefed in what to do in an emergency and with the use of a parachute and are flown with highly experienced professional RAF pilots.  Cadets are given the chance to make simple flying maneuvers which aids them in learning the effect of controls on the aircraft, such as banking the aircraft. Also the cadet will follow the pilot’s actions through more complicated maneuvers. The cadets are also offered the chance for the pilot to perform aerobatics with the cadets is in the aircraft.

 RAF sponsored Flying Scholarships are also available if you meet the criteria, where you learn to fly in small civilian aircraft usually with a flying club where it is possible to get on the first rung of the ladder in gaining your private pilots license with 12 hours of flying time with the aim of going solo at the end.

            Also when cadets visit RAF stations they are occasionally offered flying places on RAF operational aircraft such as a Hercules, Tri-Star, Chinook and sometimes aircraft like the Tornado or Jaguar all though is quite rare. 

Pictures from 642 VGS Squadron	Pictures from 9 AEF