Air Cadets Civilian Gliding Instructor
Put something back.
I was an ATC cadet from 1965 to 1972. I then rejoined as an instructor in 1975, and am still there. In my total career I've held every rank, and done every job (bar one*) from cadet 2nd class to squadron commander.
It's still probably the best youth group in the country. The best part for me is to watch the kids the first time they fly. You pour a pussycat into the left seat at the start, them watch the tiger bounce out at the end. For you Ppruners who fly these kids - thank you!
The job satisfaction is second to none, whether you give your unit a couple of hours a month as civilian instructor, or go to overload as a squadron commander. The CRB, and all the other stuff can be a pain, although if my kids were there I'd want to make sure they were being properly looked after.
Aswas said earlier in the thread, there are a lot more people involved in the organisation than the pilots - important as they are. Sadly, because of the way society has changed in the last few years, fewer and fewer people are getting involved. They don't know what they're missing!
Cheers
B
(*Ps the one job I haven't done yet has been squadron padre....although, give me a couple of years and.....)
It's still probably the best youth group in the country. The best part for me is to watch the kids the first time they fly. You pour a pussycat into the left seat at the start, them watch the tiger bounce out at the end. For you Ppruners who fly these kids - thank you!
The job satisfaction is second to none, whether you give your unit a couple of hours a month as civilian instructor, or go to overload as a squadron commander. The CRB, and all the other stuff can be a pain, although if my kids were there I'd want to make sure they were being properly looked after.
Aswas said earlier in the thread, there are a lot more people involved in the organisation than the pilots - important as they are. Sadly, because of the way society has changed in the last few years, fewer and fewer people are getting involved. They don't know what they're missing!
Cheers
B
(*Ps the one job I haven't done yet has been squadron padre....although, give me a couple of years and.....)
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C B S I T C B
is what I remember on Vikings in the late 80s.
Controls (full and free movement and in the correct sense).
Ballast (check of actual weights and, if heavy enough, cadet in front!)
Straps
Instruments (Set Altimeter to 0ft)
Trim (Neutral)
Canopy (Secure and locked - visual check of cadet's)
Brakes (Check action, Fully Open, then Closed and Locked)
Wings Level
Cable on
Take-up Slack
All Out
ISTR when we moved from the Sedbergh with its open cockpit to the Viking there was an issue with the last 2 bits in that you couldn't easily be heard, so we went to a finger system (1, then 2) with the man on the wing relaying to the caravan.
STH (Formerly 631 and 643 VGS).
is what I remember on Vikings in the late 80s.
Controls (full and free movement and in the correct sense).
Ballast (check of actual weights and, if heavy enough, cadet in front!)
Straps
Instruments (Set Altimeter to 0ft)
Trim (Neutral)
Canopy (Secure and locked - visual check of cadet's)
Brakes (Check action, Fully Open, then Closed and Locked)
Wings Level
Cable on
Take-up Slack
All Out
ISTR when we moved from the Sedbergh with its open cockpit to the Viking there was an issue with the last 2 bits in that you couldn't easily be heard, so we went to a finger system (1, then 2) with the man on the wing relaying to the caravan.
STH (Formerly 631 and 643 VGS).
Wholigan,
I'm with you. My first three solos in a Kirby Cadet MkIII at the tender age of 16 were launches number 23, 24 and 25 on my course at RAF Spitalgate (remember that?) and totalled 10 minutes airborne! Happy days indeed.
I'm with you. My first three solos in a Kirby Cadet MkIII at the tender age of 16 were launches number 23, 24 and 25 on my course at RAF Spitalgate (remember that?) and totalled 10 minutes airborne! Happy days indeed.
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Just to update anyone, my driving points didn't hold me back from being a CGI in the slightest...my inexperience on the other hand 
Was really hoping id be in with a shout: ex staff cadet, silver GS, PPL (A) 150 hrs (20 tailwheel), aircraft engineering background, willing to put the hard graft in on the ground for however long.
I have two vgs squadrons within an hrs driving distance, spoke to both squadron commanders, both outfits overwhelmed with qsp's, airline pilots, career flying instructors, experienced aerobatics pilots, all absolutely dying to get onto the books...and i dont blame them!
Ahh well, ill try again...next year perhaps
Was really hoping id be in with a shout: ex staff cadet, silver GS, PPL (A) 150 hrs (20 tailwheel), aircraft engineering background, willing to put the hard graft in on the ground for however long.
I have two vgs squadrons within an hrs driving distance, spoke to both squadron commanders, both outfits overwhelmed with qsp's, airline pilots, career flying instructors, experienced aerobatics pilots, all absolutely dying to get onto the books...and i dont blame them!
Ahh well, ill try again...next year perhaps
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It may be happening to me
Ive been a CI for over a year at ATC Sqn and now applying to join a local VGS as CGI. All the senior instructors are very interested in my tailwheel experience. After all I was told if you can flying a chipmunk you can fly most tailwheels.
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I'm in the process of joining at a CGI. Still waiting for my formal appointment (what's the delay!!!), but as a PPL who started training from day 1 (just 4 weekends ago), I've already done ~3 hours in Vigilants. Can't wait to become a G1 and start helping with GICs.
Main difficulties for me:
(1) Taxiing, especially when it's a bit breezy on the ground. Full left rudder, yet the aircraft was still veering off to the right
(2) Air brake took a little getting used to.
(3) Rudder - sometimes forget balanced control in turns.
(4) Take off in a tail dragger is a bit different, since I'm used to rotating at ~55-60 kts. Taildragger just becomes airborne when it's ready.
I took to left hand throttle and right hand stick without any problems, although the throttle is a stiff, as is the trim lever.
Anyway, finished stalls this weekend and moving on to circuits for next exercise.
Wish I did this years ago.
Main difficulties for me:
(1) Taxiing, especially when it's a bit breezy on the ground. Full left rudder, yet the aircraft was still veering off to the right
(2) Air brake took a little getting used to.
(3) Rudder - sometimes forget balanced control in turns.
(4) Take off in a tail dragger is a bit different, since I'm used to rotating at ~55-60 kts. Taildragger just becomes airborne when it's ready.
I took to left hand throttle and right hand stick without any problems, although the throttle is a stiff, as is the trim lever.
Anyway, finished stalls this weekend and moving on to circuits for next exercise.
Wish I did this years ago.
Oh dear 
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I've just re-started at a VGS after a 14 year break. My CGI clearance took 6 months to finally get approved!
Taxying the Vigilant, like most taildraggers, is the most difficult part of the sortie for inexperienced student pilots. The tailwheel is steerable through the rudder pedals to a certain deflection both left and right (I forget the actual degrees). After that the tailwheel steering will unlock to become fully castering...once this happens differential braking is required to change direction.
If you've not had any gliding experience before then I sympathise with the airbrake issues. Worst part about the airbrake for me was during a warm summers day doing circuit training, as opening the airbrake pressurises the cockpit, reducing the crew cooling airflow massively!
Good luck with your training. I found the VGS system of ab-initio student training so rewarding for me, that even after a 14 year break I'm excited about teaching Cadets again.
Taxying the Vigilant, like most taildraggers, is the most difficult part of the sortie for inexperienced student pilots. The tailwheel is steerable through the rudder pedals to a certain deflection both left and right (I forget the actual degrees). After that the tailwheel steering will unlock to become fully castering...once this happens differential braking is required to change direction.
If you've not had any gliding experience before then I sympathise with the airbrake issues. Worst part about the airbrake for me was during a warm summers day doing circuit training, as opening the airbrake pressurises the cockpit, reducing the crew cooling airflow massively!
Good luck with your training. I found the VGS system of ab-initio student training so rewarding for me, that even after a 14 year break I'm excited about teaching Cadets again.
Last edited by Arkwright; 29th Apr 2013 at 06:53.
I found the VGS system of ab-initio student training so rewarding for me
Couldn't agree more. Only wish I had some free weekends to go back and instruct again. Great fun with (usually) polite and enthusiastic kids and a professional approach to flying training.
PHdKris
Have sent you a PM.
Agree wholeheartedly with all the good points made by other VGS guys and gals.
What struck me, whilst on a course at CGS, was how many staff stick with their VGS for their entire adult lives. Literally "man and boy" with apologies to our excellent female instructors.
BBK
Have sent you a PM.
Agree wholeheartedly with all the good points made by other VGS guys and gals.
What struck me, whilst on a course at CGS, was how many staff stick with their VGS for their entire adult lives. Literally "man and boy" with apologies to our excellent female instructors.
BBK
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Thanks for your replies. Sorry, I meant "join as a CGI".
I was getting a little bit paranoid and imagining all sorts of reasons why my appointment is being delayed. Thought it might be something to do with my involvement with UKIP! Perhaps being on a 'no fly' list for being a political extremist.
I was getting a little bit paranoid and imagining all sorts of reasons why my appointment is being delayed. Thought it might be something to do with my involvement with UKIP! Perhaps being on a 'no fly' list for being a political extremist.
Kris - way back in 1970-71 - my appointment took about 9 months I believe...maybe some things never change LOL !
rgds LR
rgds LR
Last edited by longer ron; 5th May 2013 at 15:27.
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Appointment came through this weekend. One used tin foil hat, no longer required. Seems that my "loony, fruitcake, racist" UKIP activities didn't prevent me from becoming a CGI(u/t).
Now in Vigi heaven. Can't wait for good weather so that I can get circuits out of the way. Vigis are so much more enjoyable to fly than those old C152 buckets at my old flying club.
Cheers!
Now in Vigi heaven. Can't wait for good weather so that I can get circuits out of the way. Vigis are so much more enjoyable to fly than those old C152 buckets at my old flying club.
Cheers!
Last edited by PhDKrisPPL; 12th May 2013 at 16:41.
