Flying and gliding provides cadets to have the chance to learn about how aircraft work, and more importantly learn how to fly. It is completely free and is issued to the different squadrons.

Flying
We fly the Grob Tutor 115E at 9 AEF – RAF Church Fenton, near York. The flights usually last around 25-30 minutes you will have the opportunity to take control of the aircraft. The Tutor is a very varied aircraft, you can just fly around, or go over to your house, or you can ask the pilot to show you some aerobatics! Remember that the you can ask the pilot anything, and he will probably have the answer, but make sure you don’t interrupt him when he’s talking on the radio. You will be fully briefed before you fly, and then you will be fitted with your flying suit, helmet, and parachute. Then you’ll be ready to go! You can further your flying by applying for Navigation courses and flying scholarships.

Gliding
We also have the chance to go gliding, this is similar to the flying, as it is still in a powered aircraft, but the aircraft can fly unpowered. We fly the Vigilant powered glider out of 642 VGS at Linton-On-Ouse. There is an initial gliding course which will be what you do when you first go gliding, and will last 3 sessions, after that it is up to you what you want to do. There is also a gliding scholarship which is available to cadets over the age of 16 and will allow the cadets, if they are capable, to fly the glider solo!

There are various Flying and Gliding Scholarships and Bursaries available outside of the air cadets with the Air League, RAFA and privately through airlines and airports.Being an Air cadet gives you the training and the first taste of what its like to Fly or Glide as part of your cadet training for FREE!.

Check out www.2beAPilot.co.uk/flying scholarships.htm