Air Cadets Civilian Gliding Instructor
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Green and pleasant land
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I was looking at the VGS too, but with 3 years as a QFI flying the T67, Bulldog, BE76 and every single thrown at me, 3000TT and 2200 in the airlines wasn't enough for them. I needed to spend 3 months on the ground helping out and a gradual 6 months learning to fly a hair-dryer.
Yer right!!!
Yer right!!!
Perhaps things have changed in recent years? but one of the priceless things about the system when I was on a VGS was that everyone, right up to the guy running the line, knew exactly how things really worked in every part of the system. Precisely because they had been there and done that and knew just what it was like to be stuck down at the winch all day, they'd done umpteen retrieves without so much as a break, had put aircraft to bed in the pouring rain and compared notes with other staff about which combination of cold weather gear was most effective in keeping the sleet and snow at bay etc etc etc.
And they were far, far better man managers than those who did not have that experience. They could keep a school running efficiently and effectively when the prima donnas had long since given up and slunk off home
I won't even start on the resentment felt towards those kind of people by VGS staff who have put in many, many, many weekends of hard work, only to see their precious flights given to 'fast track'
CS
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Too true. My first flying experiences were as a Staff Cadet on Vikings (proper gliders !!) I spent many a weekend strapping on parachutes, walking out first time fliers, strapping them in, lying in the wet mud hooking up the cable and running alongside holding the wingtip till the pilot could hold it up themselves (
)
I may get the odd flight at the end of the day, a few if I was lucky. Slowly but surely, I made my way up to C cat instructor before joining the RAF.
I now have over 3000 hours, 100 missions in OIF/OEF and would love to get back into gliding if I had the time. And when I do, I expect to repeat it all again to get trained up.
The VGS is a great place to fly, which runs on the hard work of those already in it. It's a place where your dues need to be paid before you get to do the fun stuff.
)I may get the odd flight at the end of the day, a few if I was lucky. Slowly but surely, I made my way up to C cat instructor before joining the RAF.
I now have over 3000 hours, 100 missions in OIF/OEF and would love to get back into gliding if I had the time. And when I do, I expect to repeat it all again to get trained up.
The VGS is a great place to fly, which runs on the hard work of those already in it. It's a place where your dues need to be paid before you get to do the fun stuff.
I can only agree with the contributors who have highlighted that it is hard work being on a VGS especially when you join. At my school we've had problems when taking on adult trainees for a variety of reasons: motivation lacking, underestimating the handling characteristics of the Vigilant compared to a typical "spam can" and a general lack of appreciation of the essence of what the organisation is all about. For the most part they simply haven't coped with it and left after a short time.
By far the best source of new blood are the ever put upon Staff Cadets. These youngsters slog their guts out for little reward but they understand what is required far better than practically all the adults we have tried to train - ex FSCs excepted of course.
By far the best source of new blood are the ever put upon Staff Cadets. These youngsters slog their guts out for little reward but they understand what is required far better than practically all the adults we have tried to train - ex FSCs excepted of course.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chedburgh, Bury St.Edmunds
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Being a Staff Cadet gave me, looking back, some of the most enjoyable two years of my life. It taught me discipline, airmanship, how to be practical in a crisis etc. etc. Many happy hours winching [was I the only guy to enjoy it??!!] with some flying. Eventual PPL came along, and I looked at getting back as a civilian, but, having a young family, couldn't give what the situation required.. Commitment. Thankyou, 613GS at Halton, for some wonderful days. Cheers, John.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Hello to all,
I'm off down to my local ATC squadron on Tuesday to get a bit more info on becoming a CI there. Love the idea of becomming a civy gliding instructor with the VGS one day.
I never actually went gliding as a cadet, but took up flying as soon as I went into full-time work. Now have PPL with just over 100hrs total.
I have a question regarding the CRB checks....Had a careless driving conviction last year. Will it prevent me from passing the checks as a CI? is there an extra check required to become aCGI? Will I have to declare this on any application forms?
I'll be pretty gutted if it will indeed prevent me from getting involved with the ATC again. fingers crossed!
Many thanks
I'm off down to my local ATC squadron on Tuesday to get a bit more info on becoming a CI there. Love the idea of becomming a civy gliding instructor with the VGS one day.
I never actually went gliding as a cadet, but took up flying as soon as I went into full-time work. Now have PPL with just over 100hrs total.
I have a question regarding the CRB checks....Had a careless driving conviction last year. Will it prevent me from passing the checks as a CI? is there an extra check required to become aCGI? Will I have to declare this on any application forms?
I'll be pretty gutted if it will indeed prevent me from getting involved with the ATC again. fingers crossed!
Many thanks
Have A Care........
........... Ladies and Gentlemen,
All this vibrant banter about air cadet gliding squadrons and how they are providing a valued service and doing wonderful things etc etc for the youth of today and aircrew of tomorrow will come to the notice of some 'MOD watcher'.
It will then be realised that somebody in or on the edges of the armed forces, are actually having worthwhile experiences with high morale, great motivation and all that jazz.
That will have to be stopped in the interests of 'fairness', 'equality of sacrifice' and a raft of other reasons: the result CHOP!
All this vibrant banter about air cadet gliding squadrons and how they are providing a valued service and doing wonderful things etc etc for the youth of today and aircrew of tomorrow will come to the notice of some 'MOD watcher'.
It will then be realised that somebody in or on the edges of the armed forces, are actually having worthwhile experiences with high morale, great motivation and all that jazz.
That will have to be stopped in the interests of 'fairness', 'equality of sacrifice' and a raft of other reasons: the result CHOP!
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Nottingham
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Slipstream, I don't think the CRB checks would bother about a driving conviction, assuming it is just points for speeding or similar. I'm a CI with points, I bet there are plenty of others!
The CRB check is more about assessing your suitability to work with children - so the minor (assuming you were not caught speeding whilst smuggling children into / out of the country ) should be no problem at all.
There are some other forms to fill in which you declare any convictions and I think IIRC that it even says something along the lines of 'excluding minor driving offences'.
) should be no problem at all.There are some other forms to fill in which you declare any convictions and I think IIRC that it even says something along the lines of 'excluding minor driving offences'.
Have a care Old Duffer
If the 'MOD watchers' really got to understand the way the VGS system worked they'd want it applied to the rest of the RAF.
Apart from teaching cadets to fly to CFS standards, ALL VGS Aircrew are expected to carryout ALL first line servicing (and some 2nd line stuff to but only if 'Blessed upon from up high' ), ALL admin and supply roles, ALL MT roles, some VGS will also be Air Traffic for their airfields. On top of all this they will no doubt also have day jobs (which will allow them to carry out their VGS roles during Office hours), which is just as well as only the VGS Officers can claim pay (Thats just been cut), other staff are privileged to recieve a mileage allowance which wasn't generous even before it was reduced. The only upside in all this is that the really nasty jobs can be left to Staff Cadets, and you thought slavery had been abolished.
If the 'MOD watchers' really got to understand the way the VGS system worked they'd want it applied to the rest of the RAF.
Apart from teaching cadets to fly to CFS standards, ALL VGS Aircrew are expected to carryout ALL first line servicing (and some 2nd line stuff to but only if 'Blessed upon from up high' ), ALL admin and supply roles, ALL MT roles, some VGS will also be Air Traffic for their airfields. On top of all this they will no doubt also have day jobs (which will allow them to carry out their VGS roles during Office hours), which is just as well as only the VGS Officers can claim pay (Thats just been cut), other staff are privileged to recieve a mileage allowance which wasn't generous even before it was reduced. The only upside in all this is that the really nasty jobs can be left to Staff Cadets, and you thought slavery had been abolished.
Work Experience
It would look great on your CV if the RAF were recruiting right now
"Well Bloggs, what experience do you have that would make you suitable for the RAF"?
"Well Sir, I've been a pilot, a liney, a blanket stacker, an air trafficker,,,,"
"Well Bloggs, what experience do you have that would make you suitable for the RAF"?
"Well Sir, I've been a pilot, a liney, a blanket stacker, an air trafficker,,,,"
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Oxford, UK
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Capt2010 and others, you might just check out civilian gliding clubs; consult the British Gliding Association website. Visit the ones nearest, talk to people.
To become an instructor because you would like free flying is suspect. First of all, gain experience, gain judgement, fly cross country, visit different sites, experience different conditions. Earn your Silver badge, at very least.
And then when you are a very very safe and experienced pilot, and you love teaching one to one, then begin to consider becoming an instructor.
First things first.
To become an instructor because you would like free flying is suspect. First of all, gain experience, gain judgement, fly cross country, visit different sites, experience different conditions. Earn your Silver badge, at very least.
And then when you are a very very safe and experienced pilot, and you love teaching one to one, then begin to consider becoming an instructor.
First things first.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Slipstream, I am quite sure that driving offences do not matter with regards to obtaining a CRB, plus you can use the same CRB for being a CI at an ATC Sqn and a CGI at a VGS.
However, if you were to join a VGS and tried to obtain a Service Driving Permit (basically a driving licence for the RAF Landies), you will have to inform them of driving offences. Quite how much this will affect the likelyhood of getting a permit- I do not know.
However, if you were to join a VGS and tried to obtain a Service Driving Permit (basically a driving licence for the RAF Landies), you will have to inform them of driving offences. Quite how much this will affect the likelyhood of getting a permit- I do not know.
Anything 6 points or over and it's a chat with the MTO of the parent unit.
And if he had his CRB done when he posted (January) it should just be coming through now...
Enjoy it, I know I did but there's too many fun suppressors around now for my liking.
OB
And if he had his CRB done when he posted (January) it should just be coming through now...
Enjoy it, I know I did but there's too many fun suppressors around now for my liking.
OB
Join Date: Jan 2008
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FFP
My first flying experiences were as a Staff Cadet on Vikings (proper gliders !!) I spent many a weekend strapping on parachutes
My first flying experiences were as a Staff Cadet on Vikings (proper gliders !!) I spent many a weekend strapping on parachutes
Only proper gliders were the Prefect, Cadet Mk3, and The Barge!
As for parachutes - Pah! Whimps! Ugh!
JEM60
Thank you, 613GS at Halton, for some wonderful days. Cheers, John.
Thank you, 613GS at Halton, for some wonderful days. Cheers, John.
635 VGS
IMC Rating flight with an instructor with 18000 hours to me 12 years after VGS-
"you can tell the military have had their hands on you"
The basic skill learnt at Samlesbury flying / gliding the Vigilant are never far away as I progress through the CPL / IR. Even ACP 124 gets an airing when I want to get the basics right!
I am forever indebted to the VGS / ATC system as I know I'll not be able to rejoin and put time and commitment back in - as indeed the trust of letting me loose at 16 solo.
Thank you.
However - had to train myself OUT of doing turnbacks from 300' AGL!
Thinking about it now I still don't have that deep seated confidence the training gave me in the Piper / Cessna types so I stuck to Grobs.
"you can tell the military have had their hands on you"
The basic skill learnt at Samlesbury flying / gliding the Vigilant are never far away as I progress through the CPL / IR. Even ACP 124 gets an airing when I want to get the basics right!
I am forever indebted to the VGS / ATC system as I know I'll not be able to rejoin and put time and commitment back in - as indeed the trust of letting me loose at 16 solo.
Thank you.
However - had to train myself OUT of doing turnbacks from 300' AGL!
Thinking about it now I still don't have that deep seated confidence the training gave me in the Piper / Cessna types so I stuck to Grobs.
Gentleman Aviator
as I know I'll not be able to rejoin and put time and commitment back in
There's more to instilling the spirit of flying into the ATC youth of today than actually poling a glider or AEF ac for them.
I'm sure your enthusiasm and experience would be welcome at your local ATC Sqn (or possibly CCF RAF Section!) as a Civilian Instructor (who has no mandated minimum attendance requirement) - there are many on this Forum who could tell you how.
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I briefly considered this route, but I can't see how anyone with a family/full time job (especially airline shift work ) could find the time to commit so many weekends.
I think the ATC best bet is with the staff cadets,who would gladly walk over glass for af flight or two...
I think the ATC best bet is with the staff cadets,who would gladly walk over glass for af flight or two...
Join Date: May 1999
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Certainly were t'days. Did my cadet gliding in Slingsby T21 Sedberghs and T31 Cadet Mk IIIs. The second best bit about the gliding courses was driving the Landrovers about the airfield at a tender young age! 
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From the Air Cadets web site:
Air Cadets - Join as a Civilian Instructor
Most of our volunteers have busy lives too, and many of them work full time. Most activities take place in the evenings and at weekends, and no-one's expected to take part in everything. Many people get involved initially because their children are cadets - they start off helping out informally at events and open days. As long as you can spare a few hours a week, you'll be made very welcome.