Gliding

GLIDING INDUCTION COURSES

Gliding Induction Courses are open to all cadets aged over 13 years and consist of three stages, GIC1 CIG2 and GIC3. They can be completed in either the standard gliders or powered gliders. Gliding in Plymouth & Cornwall Wing is conducted at 626 (Predannack) Volunteer Gliding School and at 624 (Chivenor) Volunteer Gliding School. 626 VGS operate the Grob G103A better know as the Viking T1, a two seat high performance glider. 624 VGS operate the Grob G109B better known as the Vigilant T1, a two seat side by side motor glider. To get airborne the Viking T1 uses a winch launch system involving a cable up to 1500 metres long to pull the glider along and airborne while the Vigilant T1 uses it's small engine to get airborne. Once at a safe height the engine is switched off and the glider uses thermals to gain any further height.

Before cadets get to fly in the gliders they are instructed on the basic principles of gliding and on the various effects of the controls. Once this is complete they will fly and be allowed to take control to practice what they have been taught.

 

 

624 Volunteer Gliding School

GIC Allocation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21-Sep-13 - 2312 Sqn

21-Sep-13 - 2443 Sqn

22-Sep-13 -  339 Sqn

22-Sep-13 - 1876 Sqn

 

626 Volunteer Gliding School

GIC Allocation

10-Aug-13 - 1900 Sqn & 2533 Sqn

11-Aug-13 - 77 Sqn & 2309 Sqn

31-Aug-13 - 1900 Sqn & 197 Sqn

01-Sep-13 - 730 Sqn & 335 Sqn

 

3       Sqn

  14 Sep, 6 Oct, 27 Oct, 30 Nov

77     Sqn

  15 Sep, 12 Oct,  2 Nov, 1 Dec

147   Sqn

  8 Sep, 3 Nov

169   Sqn

  7 Sep, 9 Nov

197   Sqn

  22 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 23 Nov

335   Sqn

   1 Sep, 8 Sep, 29 Nov, 26 Oct, 3 Nov, 1 Dec, 14 Dec

335   D/F

  28 Sep, 6 Oct, 27 Oct, 24 Nov

730   Sqn

   1 Sep, 21 Sep, 16 Nov, 7 Dec, 15 Dec

781   Sqn

   22 Sep, 13 Oct, 17 Nov

1157 Sqn

   28 Sep, 23 Nov, 

1225 Sqn

   29 Sep, 19 Oct, 24 Nov, 8 Dec

1900 Sqn

   5 Oct, 20 Oct, 10 Nov, 14 Dec

2171 Sqn

   13 Oct, 16 Nov

2174 Sqn

   21 Sep, 12 Oct, 10 Nov

2309 Sqn

   20-Oct

2339 Sqn

   17-Nov

2377 Sqn

   7 Sep, 30 Nov, 15 Dec 

2533 Sqn

   26 Oct, 9 Nov, 8 Dec

2533 D/F 

   7-Dec

 

Weather

Click for Chivenor, United Kingdom Forecast

Weather

Click for Culdrose, The Lizard, United Kingdom Forecast

GLIDING SCHOLARSHIP

 

Having completed at least 3 GICs and reaching the age of 16 years the next step is a Gliding Scholarships. Courses which will be either over a number of consecutive weekends or over a week are more in depth than GICs. At the end of the course the goal is to fly solo and earn the gliding silver wings. For those who pass the course but do not get to fly solo blue wings are awarded. But your gliding career does not need to stop on completion of the scholarship. The best cadets may be invited back to become a Flight Staff Cadet at the VGS and go for their instructors qualification and gain their gold wings.

 

Further information is on the 624 (Chivenor) VGS and the 626 (Predannack) VGS websites