cats_five
What did cadets get from a Vigilant VGS?
The 13 - 16 year olds received Gliding Induction Courses (GIC 1,2 &3) learning Pitch, Roll and Yaw, many of these sorties were delivered by Staff Cadets in addition to the civilian and VRT staff.
16 year olds completed Gliding Scholarships (GS) which entailed being instructed to solo circuit standard within around 10 hours, 80% or so achieving their solo and gaining silver wings.
The next step Advanced Gliding Training (AGT) added advanced turns, crosswind landings and 5 solo circuits on completion gold wings are awarded.
AGT students were then able to apply to become a staff cadet at a VGS to receive further training to G2 (Pilot) Level enabling them to fly solo out of circuit.
The next stage G1 allowed a staff cadet to instruct GIC students in pitch, roll and yaw.
After a course at Central Gliding School Syerston a Staff Cadet could qualify as a B2/C Cat instructor and therefore be able to instruct GS students upto first solo.
A further course and that Staff Cadet could become a B1 instructor allowing them to teach upto AGT level and send second solos. In addition the cadet could supervise operations as duty instructor.
Most would age out by this point and either left for Uni, RAF, ATPL etc or stayed on as Civilian instructors or VRT uniform. Many going on to become A Cats and lifelong VGS instructors.
Viking units operated in a similar vein to the above.
So the organisation was/is all about continued development of the cadet not just a matter of getting kids airborne and this is why it cost £500 per hour and would be difficult for any BGA or GSA club to pick the pieces of this broken organisation.