All cadets are given the opportunity to go gliding. This is with No. 645 Volunteer Gliding School (VGS) based at RAF Topcliffe; which is a satellite airfield of RAF Linton-on-Ouse. The Airfield is located just off the A19 and you can often see gliders passing overhead at the weekends.
645 VGS Operate the Grob 109b Vigilant motorised Glider. This Requires no winches, or other aircraft to get itself airborne.All cadets are given the opportunity to participate in Glider Training, even allowing them to fly solo and become qualified glider pilots.
The three main awards that cadets can achieve trough attending the glider training courses are:
Cadets aged under 16 may attend Gliding Induction Courses (GIC's) these will consist of up to 5 launches to asses their ability and aid selection for the Gliding Scholarship scheme once they have reached the age of 16.
Gliding Scholarship consist of a significantly larger time flying (Upto 10 hours).
In this time, the cadet is constantly being assessed by the course staff, and if they achieve the required standard then they could be given the chance to fly the glider solo... Imagine being the captain of a glider, and fluing without any assistance, all BEFORE you can drive!
