967 (BAE Warton) Sqn ATC - Flying and Gliding in the ATC

ATC Info Flying/Gliding

Flying & Gliding Opportunities

General Flying Opportunities

The Grob G103A Twin II Acro, known by the RAF as the Viking T1, is used by the Air Cadet Organisation to give basic gliding training to air cadets. The aircraft is currently used by 11 Volunteer Gliding Squadrons located at various sites around the UK.

Length: 8.18m
Span: 17.5m

Max speed: 119kts
Max Altitude: 8,000ft

The Grob 109B motor glider, known by the RAF as the Vigilant T1, is used by the Air Cadet Organisation to give basic flying and gliding training to air cadets. The Vigilant is currently used by 16 Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGSs), located at various sites around the UK.

Length: 8.1m
Span: 17.4m

Max speed: 130kts
Max Altitude: 8,000ft

The Grob 115E, known by the RAF as the Tutor, is used for Elementary Flying Training by the 14 University Air Squadrons and 12 Air Experience Flights throughout the UK.

Length: 7.54m
Span: 10.0m

Max speed: 135kts
Max Altitude: 10,000ft

The Chipmunk was designed by the Canadian de Havilland company as a tandem two-seat primary trainer which first flew in 1946. In the UK, 1000 aircraft were produced for both civil and military use; in RAF service it was designated the Chipmunk T-10. All marks were powered by a 145hp de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 engine, giving the aircraft a cruising speed of 230km per hour and a range of 730km.

Cadets from the Air Training Corps are offered opportunities to fly in light aircraft and gliders, as well as other RAF and civil aircraft.

Click for the new Grob TWIN III ACRO at Grob Aerospace

There are plenty of opportunities open to cadets when flying, from aerobatics in the new Grob Tutor to practicing stalls in a Grob Viking glider. There are also exciting opportunities for cadets to learn how to fly, with scholarships for both powered flight and gliding. In general, every cadet will be given opportunities to fly during their time as an active member of an ATC squadron.

Volunteer Gliding Squadron

Click for the Grob G 109B at Grob Aerospace

The starting point for a cadets gliding experience will be at a Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) which will fly either Vigilant motor gliders or Viking winch launch gliders. Gliding begins with simple air experience gliding followed by dual instruction on a Gliding Induction Course which is open to all cadets aged over 14 years 6 months. From the age of 16 years, Cadets are able to enter the Gliding Scholarship which culminates in a solo flight. Advanced gliding follows for those who have proved they have the aptitude for it, which includes soaring and solo flying.

Air Experience Flights

Air Cadets have the opportunity to fly with Royal Air Force pilots in Tutor aircraft. Flying takes place at one of 12 Air Experience Flights (AEFs) where cadets are shown how the aircraft flies and given the chance to control the aeroplane, experience aerobatics or simply admire the view. All Air Cadets get the opportunity to fly with the AEF each year. Click here for technical data on the Grob Tutor.

The ATC has had the benefit of powered aircraft since 1957 with the introduction of venerable DeHavilland Chipmunk aeroplanes which were replaced by the Bulldog in 1996. The latest replacement, being the Grob Tutor, recently entered AEF service, replacing the Bulldog.

The Tutors are provided by a contractor, Bombardier Aerospace Defence Services, and the MoD, buys flying hours. The AEF task is based on 20 minutes per cadet per year, plus an allowance for staff continuation training, etc. AEF aircraft are flown by volunteer pilots, all of whom are current or former service pilots.

Apart from the AEF aircraft, many Air Cadets also get the opportunity of flying in a variety of other RAF aircraft. Some Cadets who stand out from the rest may also get the opportunity to fly on a civil airliner or go on an overseas flight in an RAF Tri-Star, VC10 or Hercules. A few cadets have also had the opportunity to fly in a variety of other aircraft including fast jets and the Red Arrows.

During their 'careers' many Air Cadets will have flown in a variety of Service aeroplanes and helicopters - sometimes in the capacity of Supernumerary Crew. It is not unusual for some of these flights to include trips overseas. Most of these flights take place during Annual Camps when Cadets visit an RAF Station.

Those Air Cadets with an aptitude for flying can apply for a number of courses, including Flying and Gliding Scholarships.