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Flying & Gliding

Flying

Once you have passed your First Class Cadet examination you will be able to take part in what puts the 'Air' in Air Cadets. You will be given the opportunity to attend flying at one of the Air Experience Flights (AEF's) located at RAF Stations around the UK. When you arrive (which will be very early in the morning) you will be greeted by the staff at the AEF who are trained to fly by the RAF.

Before you are taken up into the air you will be taken through the flight safety briefings which includes what to do should something go wrong. It is almost certain that the most eventful thing on you trip into the skies is doing aerobatics or taking control of the aircraft yourself.

Other opportunities to fly with the Air Training Corps include to fly on annual camp on RAF Stations. These flights may vary from going in one of the RAF's transport aircraft or you may even be lucky enough to take a trip in one of the fast jet trainers.

Gliding

As well as the opportunity to fly you will also be given the chance to go gliding. The Air Cadet Organisation has it's own fleet of gliders that are serviced and maintained by the RAF. Depending on where you are located in the UK you will have chance to fly in a powered or conventional glider.

When you arrive at the Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) for your gliding trip you will be met by volunteer staff who again will brief you on what will be happening that day and any safety briefs. At this point you will also assist in the preparation of the gliders for flight by taking them out of the hanger.

When it comes to your first flight in a glider you will notice the difference between flying and gliding (it's usually a lot quieter and the launch is a bit more exciting). When in the air you will be taken through how to control the aircraft and how moving the control column (joystick) moves the aircraft. You may even get chance to experience stalls, just make sure you've not had lunch.

If you wish to progress with flying you can apply for one of the many shcolarship scheme's available to cadets. These include the:

Gliding Scholarship Scheme
Advanced Glider Training
Flying Scholarship Scheme
Pilot Navigation Scheme

If you are interested in finding out more about learning to fly or glide with the Air Cadet Organisation contact your local Squadron for more information.

Last Updated: Thursday, 16 October, 2008 10:09 PM
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