Joining instructions for Gliding Scholorship students
1. These instructions are provided for cadets who have been awarded a weekend or continuous Gliding Scholarship course with 625 VGS. Click here for details of individual courses.
2. Location
Hullavington airfield (Buckley Barracks) is situated 5 miles north of Chippenham and 5 miles south of Malmesbury on the A429 (one mile north of M4 Junction 17). The nearest British Rail station is Chippenham. 625 VGS HQ is situated inside Hangar 89, to the north of Hullavington airfield. The airfield is accessed via either one of the two entrances shown on our map - in order to assist in finding us, Click here for our location map.
3. Reporting
Students on weekend courses must arrive at 625 VGS HQ by 0820 hours on the first day of their course. Cadets on continuous courses are to report to 625 VGS HQ on the first day of the course by the time shown on the in your joining letter.
All course students are entitled to claim travel expenses for public transport. If you wish to claim, you must retain all receipts.
4. Training
Training takes place on Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays and on weekdays during continuous courses.
Owing to circumstances beyond our control, there may be occasions during your course where we are unable to fly. Every effort will be made to contact you in advance if this is to be the case, but it may be prudent to periodically check our calendar for non-flying dates. This gives detailed information on days when flying will not take place. Please do not attend on the dates listed as non-flying, as staff will not be present at the Gliding Squadron.
You must attend all days until you have completed your training, as gliding courses take priority over ALL other cadet activities (AP 1919 para 530 refers). Unless you have received the prior written permission from the Gliding Squadron Commanding Officer to be absent on a particular occasion, any absence on your part will be reported to your Wing HQ/CCF Unit. This may result in you being removed from the course with the place given to another cadet. You must inform us if you are ill. Click here for our contact details.
5. Preparation
You must bring your 3822 Record of Service Book, F6424 Medical Certificate and Health Certificate. Ensure that your 3822 Next of Kin details have been recorded and that your Squadron Commander has signed to certify that he holds your parent�s/guardian�s consent for you to undergo gliding training (including solo). A Gliding Scholarship requires a commitment for self study in your own time throughout the period of the course (material supplied). It is also recommended that students learn or revise basic principles of flight prior to arrival for gliding training.
6. Accommodation
If attending a Continuous Course accommodation will be provided. If attending a weekend course you must assume that overnight accommodation is not available and it is therefore recommended that you check with 625 VGS by telephone or email (letterhead) or check the calendar page to find out whether accommodation is available throughout your course. If it is available, you will be either a guest of 9 Supply Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, Hullavington Station or Royal Air Force Lyneham and will need to bring a sleeping bag, wash kit, towel and all you need for the weekend or week course. All course cadets receiving overnight accommodation will need to bring the sum of �10 taken as a deposit by 625 VGS for any barrack room damages. This deposit is refundable upon inspection of the accommodation at the end of your course. Male and female accommodation may be contained within the same building and segregated by floor or block. Direct supervision is provided by a senior Flight Staff Cadet over 18 years of age with adult staff on call in the Sergeants� or Officers� Mess.
7. Messing
Meals will be provided in the Main Kitchens and tea/coffee will be provided on the airfield. The cost of messing is �1.50 per day and is to be paid as a lump sum of �20 in advance for each eight day�s attendance with the balance refunded upon completion of your course.
8. Clothing
You will be guests of 9 Supply Regt, RLC and as such are to conform to Station Standing Orders, which includes the wearing of uniform when you are not in the vicinity of the hangars or airfield. Tidy civilian clothes may be worn after duty hours. In addition to your uniform you must also bring working dress (i.e. a pair of denims, lightweights, combat gear or a flying suit). Boots and shoes with deep tread are not to be worn in the Viking cockpit. It can be very cold, wet and muddy on the airfield in winter so bring extra layers of clothes, a warm hat, gloves and a scarf. It can be very hot in a Viking cockpit in summer so ensure that you have a sun hat and sun cream and that you have plenty to drink. Sunglasses are advisable all year round and ensure that you have a waterproof or water-resistant jacket for wet weather. On continuous courses, cadets should bring swimwear and sports clothing.
9. Emergencies
Messages may be telephoned to 625 VGS HQ (01666 837160 Tel/Fax/Ans).
10. Additional Information
Weather (and other factors outside our control) permitting, you should complete your course within the following timescales:
* Weekend Course Cadets - within 4 to 6 weekends.
* Continuous Course Cadets - within the period of the course, but it may be extended to following weekends under certain circumstances.
You are required to give your full commitment to attend.
We look forward to seeing you at Hullavington and hope you will enjoy your course.
Sqn Ldr P. TANCELL
OC 625 VGS
Joining instructions for visiting and escorting adult staff
1. Introduction
The following guide has been written for staff escorting cadets to 625 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) at Hullavington. It is hoped that this document clearly and concisely explains the main principles of our operations and the responsibilities that you have as an escorting staff member. There will undoubtedly be other issues that are not covered so please do not hesitate to ask further questions as necessary.
2.REQUIREMENTS TO FLY
In order to fly the cadets must be enrolled and in possession of their Form 3822. The 3822 must also be suitably endorsed by the Squadron CO with the parents' consent to fly. On arrival a staff member will check the 3822 and cadets who have not already done so will be asked to satisfy the requirements of the �Parachute Pull Test�. All of the above must be satisfied before the cadet will be allowed to fly.
3. ARRIVAL
Hullavington Airfield is situated 5 miles north of Chippenham and 5 miles south of Malmesbury on the A429 (one mile north of M4 Junction 17). The Gliding Squadron is situated inside Hangar 89, to the north of the airfield. The airfield is accessed via either one of two entrances. In order to assist in finding us, Click here for our location map.
Morning Detail
Arrival for the morning detail should be at 08:20 hours. Upon arrival please report to the Duty Instructor at the Staff Crew Room. If the flying brief has already started then please wait in the Cadet's Crew Room and the Duty Instructor will meet you afterwards.
Afternoon Detail
The afternoon detail should arrive by 12:30 hours. Upon arrival please report to the Duty Instructor at the launch point (red and white caravan with '625' on the side). Please note if driving to the launch point it is imperative that you stay on the perimeter track until directly behind the caravan then drive up to it.
Owing to circumstances beyond our control, there may be occasions where we are unable to fly. Every effort will be made to contact Squadrons in advance if this is to be the case but it may be prudent to check our calenar. This gives up to date information on days when flying will not take place. Please do not attend on the dates listed, as no staff members will be present at the Gliding Squadron. Please contact us if you are unsure if we will be operating on the day of your visit. Click here for our contact details.
4. CLOTHING
We operate on a military airfield and attendance for staff and cadets alike is deemed as Duty therefore uniform is to be worn. This uniform can be working blues, issue denims, combats or flying suits. Cadets who turn up in normal civilian clothing may not be flown. Please contact us in advance if there are any problems with this arrangement. Boots and shoes with a deep tread must not be worn in the Viking cockpit. Sunglasses are always advisable. The airfield is a very exposed place so please consider the following:
Winter
The airfield can be wet, muddy and very cold. Cadets should therefore wear old and warm clothing in layers. These layers can then increased or decreased as necessary. It is also recommended that they bring a warm hat, gloves, a scarf and a waterproof coat. A vacuum flask containing a hot drink is also a good idea!
Summer
The airfield can be hot and dry. Light cotton clothes, which offer protection from the sun, are best. Sun cream and a suitable protective hat are also advisable. It is recommended that the cadets bring along plenty of liquid for consumption during the day. It is also worth bringing a waterproof coat for those summer storms!
5. MESSING
There are no messing facilities available for GIC Cadets. Sufficient food and drink should be brought for the day. Cadets should make sure that any food or kit they require during the day is taken out onto the airfield with them.
6. BRIEFINGS
The main brief at the beginning of the day is for the staff and instructors of the gliding squadron. During this brief the morning detail of cadets should wait in the Cadets Crew Room. If escorting staff arrive before this morning brief (which generally starts at 0830 hours) then they are more than welcome to sit in on it. After your arrival and prior to getting involved in the gliding operations a member of the VGS staff will brief the cadets regarding Health and Safety issues and on the activities of the day. It is important that you attend this brief, as it will give you information on what is expected of the cadets during the day�s operations.
7. FLYING ALLOCATION
Headquarters Air Cadets have set flying priorities as follows:
1) Staff Continuation Training
2) GIC/Gliding Scholarship/Advanced Glider Training
3) Other Miscellaneous Flying Tasks
Staff Continuation Training has highest priority because without trained pilots there would be no flying.
The VGS will always endeavour to complete the task set for the day and it is very unlikely that your cadets will not be flown. If possible the escorting staff will be offered a flight.
8. DUTY INSTRUCTOR
The Duty Instructor (Dl) is a nominated senior instructor who controls the gliding operations. Irrespective of rank the DI always has authority over other staff (visiting or otherwise) for these gliding operations. The Dl's job is often referred to as 'running the line'. If you have any queries the Dl should be able to answer them. In addition to the DI there is a Gliding Squadron Duty Executive (GSDE) who is either the Commanding Officer or his representative for the day.
9. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
The staff at the VGS have responsibilities for safety and the efficient running of flying operations. To assist with the smooth running of the day you will be required to monitor and look after your cadets, ensuring good behaviour and that they carry out the tasks set.
10. WEATHER
As part of flying operations the meterogical report (met) is obtained from RAF Lyneham. During the day the VGS may receive updates. It is the DI's responsibility to decide, with the aid of the met report, if the weather is suitable for flying. If the weather looks bad before you leave home it doesn't necessarily mean that it is bad at Hullavington, as weather patterns can be very localised. If you are concerned about the weather you may of course phone the VGS in order to get our views but please do not let this delay your arrival. To assist with this staff should be present from 0800 hours on operational days. During periods of bad weather the staff of the VGS have many tasks to carry out, but every effort will be made to keep your cadets occupied. On the odd occasion that the weather is going to be bad all-day a decision to �stand down' is usually made around lunchtime. We will make every effort to contact the afternoon detail if this is likely to occur.
11. DEPARTURE
If you need to depart the airfield at a particular time please confirm this with the Dl when you arrive.
The Commanding Officer and staff of 625 VGS hope you enjoy your day at 625 VGS Hullavington.
P. TANCELL