Gliding - Viking, Vigilant & Janus616 VGS RAF Henlow & Central Gliding School (CGS) RAF Syerston

Gliding in the Air Training Corps is carried out at one of the many Volunteer Gliding Squadron's (VGS's) situated around the country. As the name suggests these are run by volunteers, who are a mixture of RAFVR( T) Officers, ATC Adult NCOs, Civilian Gliding Instructors and serving/retired military personnel.

During the initial Glider Induction Course (GIC) the cadets carry out the essential components of Gliding which last approximately 30 minutes in the 'Vigilant' (pictured below). When on either a Gliding Scholarship (GS), Gliding Scholarship - Solo (S) or the Advanced Glider Training (A) Courses, the cadets will not just sit back and enjoy the ride, they will be fully intergrated into the flying.

The cadet will then take full control of the aircraft for some of the flight time which can be as little as 6 minutes in the 'Viking' (winch launched pictured below) and upto 30 minutes for an Air Experience Flight (AEF) in the 'Vigilant'.

2492 (Luton Airport) Squadron actively attends Vigilant T1 Motor Gliding at 616 VGS based at RAF Henlow and the Grob Viking T1 Winch Launched Gliding at 613 VGS based at RAF Halton.

Each squadron is allocated specific Gliding slots per year which run either morning or for an afternoon session. Cadets also get the chance to fly on Annual Summer Camp if the RAF Station has a VGS or there is one nearby.

Before any cadet participates in Gliding they must be enrolled and at least a First Class Cadet. Click the badge for more details on the requirements to gain the First Class Cadet Classification.

Before any cadet participates in Gliding they are shown a regulated safety video on emergency procedures and drills.