Gliding Induction Courses (GIC)
The first gliding an air cadet will experience is a Gliding Induction Course or GIC. GIC courses introduce the student to the whole gliding experience including the sensations, the local area, basic controls and some basic teaching techniques. GIC courses are designed to be a gentle introduction and the student will have a chance to control the aircraft at all stages of GIC course.

GIC1 - 3 launches or 20 minutes
An introduction to gliding and the local gliding area. The instructor will introduce the datum attitude and the student will have the opportunity to control the pitch of the aircraft using the elevator.

GIC2 - 4 launches or 25 minutes
A recap of the GIC1 syllabus in more detail followed by a demonstration, teach and opportunity to control the aircraft in roll using the ailerons.

GIC3 - 5 launches or 30 minutes
An in depth recap of GIC2 followed by a demonstration, teach and opportunity to control the aircrafts yaw using the rudder. The instructor will also demonstrate a stall and recovery.

Eligibility
Students must
  • be aged at least 13 years and 3 months.
  • have parental consent to fly signed in their 3822 or record book.
  • have no medical condition that would make flying unsafe for yourself or your pilot.
On the ground waiting for launch
Gliding Scholarship Courses (GS)

The gliding scholarship course is available to cadets once they reach 16 years of age. The student will be taught every aspect of flying the viking over a number of weekends or during a longer residential course. The lessons start with basic controls, to further effects, trimming, airbrakes, turns airmanship and stall recovery. The student will then move on to take-offs, landings, circuits and launch failures. If the student meets the required standard, they wil earn their blue wings. If the student shows an exceptional standard, they will be able to fly a solo circuit and will earn their silver wings.

625 VGS instruct GS students every weekend and on the following five residential courses each year:
  • Easter bank holiday (10 days)
  • May day bank holiday (4 days)
  • Whitsun bank holiday (4 days)
  • August bank holiday (10 days)
  • Christmas holiday (4 days)

If you would like to be nominated for a Gliding Scholarship course, please speak to your squadron commanding officer. You will need to be 16 years of age at the start of the course, but you can apply before your 16th birthday. You will also need a Medical form 6424 which is available from you squadron staff and will be completed by your GP. The medical form is valid for 2 years as long as nothing significant should happen to you between the issue of form and the commencment of your course.

Gliding scholarship courses are allocated across the wings on a regular basis, however, at sometimes of year there will be a waiting list for students and an allocation may take some months to become available.

Eligibility
Students must
  • be aged at least 16 years.
  • have parental consent to fly signed in their 3822 or record book.
  • have a completed RAF medical form 6424
  • be prepared to attend all possible training days until their course is complete
GS Blue wings


GS Silver wings
Advanced Gliding Training (AGT)

Cadets of an exceptional standard who have completed their GS solos and have shown promise for further training may be invited to remain with the squadron as a flight staff cadet for AGT training.

AGT1
The AGT1 course trains the student to a higher standard of flying including advanced turns, crosswind landings and landing in a defined area. AGT courses typically take 25 launches including 5 solo flights practising the skills learned during the course.

AGT2
The AGT2 course builds on the skills learned on the AGT1 course with a focus on soaring using thermals or ridge lift. To pass AGT2, the student must complete two solo flights of at least 30 minutes each.


AGT Gold wings
Further training

Staff who succesfully pass the AGT courses, typically remain with the squadron for further training as an instructor under training. After they have completed further solos, they will be assessed for Grade2 standard. Grade pilots can fly solo without check flights, provided they have recently flown. Grade 2 pilots continue to practise until they show the required standard of a Grade 1 pilot. Grade 1 pilots can fly passengers, such as GIC cadets. All graded pilots aim to eventually attend instructor courses at Central Gliding Squadron (CGS) at RAF Syerston to train as C, B and eventually A category instructors and teach air cadet gliding courses as they were once taught themselves.
C Instructor / Graded Pilot Wings


A/B Instructor Wings