I went solo on T-31B Cadet TX.3, serial WT906, 26th October 1980 at Kirknewton. I remember it like it was yesterday. Happy days!

Nice to see that WT906 is still about as G-BRVJ (Motorised)

https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1626507

First 3 solos in Mk3 XA305 at 613 GS Halton on 7 Nov 1964; they were my 9th, 10th and 11th launches that day having done 6 (with 2 practice cable breaks) with an instructor then 2 check flights with Jacko, the CO.
I don't know if it was standard procedure at all schools but normally, all cadets doing 'proficiency' training (as it was called in those days) at 613 were given 3 trips in the side by side T21b Sedbergh to learn primary and further effects of controls, watching how the instructor handled the controls then trying it yourself, then if you were deemed to be of suitable size you 'converted' to the Mk3 and did the rest of your proficiency training (apart from stalls and spins; not allowed to intentionally spin the Mk3 so you didn't stall it either just in case the stall developed into a spin) on that; too big or heavy and you stayed on the Sedbergh until you soloed with the 'bomb' installed in the nose of the aircraft.
Before going solo, I did 12 launches total in the Sedbergh and 23 in the Mk3. Yes I know many did it quicker but I was only a 'weekender' thus the first one or two launches of the weekend were to go over what I had done the previous weekend so having commenced on the first weekend after my 16th birthday, I soloed just over a month after it.

Mid 1940's, RAF Kenley. Kirby Cadet - solo was the only thing available! (Yes, I know, I know, wrong forum . . . .). But thought you'd like to know, there were some good thermals from the pig farm in Caterham valley.

First flight - Air Experience in a Wessex at Odiham age 13 1968. First flight where given controls - Chipmunk at White Waltham 1969. First solo - Cadet Mark 3 at Halton 1971 aged 16 :)

Mid 1970s Kenley, Kirby Cadet Mk3 - First ever flight in anything and had a cable break at about 300Ft AGL It was a very short flight! Couldn't believe the climb angle whilst being winched. I got another 2 or 3 launches later that afternoon. The last trip being in a Sedbergh.

For some reason, our ATC Flight from New Malden didn't get to do much gliding. :hmm:

As Chevvron posted - certainly by the mid/late 60's it was quite normal to give each cadet 2 or 3 trips in a T21 to learn primary and further effects of controls and therefore being able to see how the instructor handled the controls.
The vast majority of cadets would have done the bulk of their training and go solo in the T31/Mk3.
As 3wheels posted - with the Mk3 flights we used the retrieve trolleys to whip the cadet back to the launch point (still strapped into the seat) and they would be off on their next trip in no time :)

For me 1st solo with 644 GS at Spitalgate in the summer of '69 (someone should write a song with that title LOL).
I later joined the staff at 613 GS Halton (1970-72) and used to chuckle at the cadets calling me 'Sir' - at that time I was a Corporal Crafty Apprentice and greatly enjoyed taking cadets up for Air Experience Flights.

My first ever flight was in a Cadet Mk 3 at RAF Swanton Morley in 1966. First solo in the Mk 3 February 1968. I can still remember the pre take off checks (CISTRS) as taught back then.
Happy days, sliding across a snowy airfield in an open top glider. Thanks to everyone at 611 VGS who made it happen for me and hundreds like me.

A bloke on the WRAF training depot; how did you pull that?

When I had got a lot of air experience flights under my belt as a P2 (G1 nowadays) I was tasked with doing these initial flights probably with a view to my becoming a 'C' Cat. Managed to avoid that by leaving school and getting a job away from the area.

First three solos in a Mk3 at RAF St Athan in about 1957. Started instructing in them about 12 years later at RAF Old Sarum. Last flew one about 3 years ago at Hullavington with the Vintage Gliding Group.

After a few familiarisation flights in a Sedbergh, first solo in a T-31 after several launches with the late great Derek Piggott as instructor, at HCGIS Detling in 1952.

T31 at Spitalgate in 1974 for me. I remember the daily charge was 9p, so for an eleven day course to solo I paid the grand total of 99p. I therefore could say I learnt to fly for less than a pound! Can't give any more details on dates and serials as I'm away from home doing stuff at Wyton (where messing and PAYD charges are somewhat greater...)

Ah yes,I remember that was the mnemonic in 1972,but a couple of years later ISTR it was changed to CBSITCB.

It was a tough gig but somebody had to do it :)

It was my closest gliding unit - we lived in peterborough at that time (yuk !!)

I think it changed to CBSITCB circa 1971 (At Air Cadet Gliding Schools).

It then changed to CBSIFTCB (Flaps)
Then later 'E' was added (Eventualities)
I have very recently returned to gliding after a long break and the one thing I was confident that I could remember was CBSIFTCBE.
Well blow me down they changed it the day before my first flight :) - ok that put paid to me sounding confident with pre flight checks :)
It is currently CBSIFTBEC
Controls/Ballast/Straps/Instruments/Flaps/Trim/Brakes/Eventualities/Canopy

I was taught CISTRS with Air Cadets but did a day at Lasham in '66 where they used CBSITCB, apparently a BGA standard term.
Later at Halton (1990s) we used CBSITCBE on the microlights, the 'E' being check engine instruments.

First flight in a T31. First solo in a T31. First flight as instructor in a T31 (in 1964).

Course if Air Cadets had kept the Mk3 going, Air Cadet gliding wouldn't be in the mess it is now.
Low performance, easy to maintain, perfect for getting as many people solo in as short a time as possible so they could wear their gliding badge on their uniform.
Did anyone hear about how a sheep got killed by one at Gaydon?