GIC Gliding at 611 (Watton) VGS
Posted by admin on Sunday 16 August 2009 under 2009 | 
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Sunday 16th August saw a group of four cadets enjoy one of the fantastic opportunities available within the Air Training Corps; gliding. Cadets Stagg and Laws and Corporals Adams and Goodchild, accompanied by CI Smith, set off from the squadron at 07.30 to start the hour long journey to 611 VGS, who are based at Watton, a former RAF base. 611 VGS operate the Grob Viking which is a winch launched glider.
Upon arrival at the VGS, we were met by two other cadets from 301 (Bury St Edmunds) Sqn, and then met by the Duty Pilot for the day, who would be looking after us on the ground. However, before any of us could fly, in the unlikely event of an emergency, we needed to be confident in locating and operating the parachute pull handle so each of us had to pull a metal D ring to a certain force. After everybody had passed the test we had to watch the safety video which, regardless of weather a cadet has flown before or not, has to be watched as it covers how to get in and out of the aircraft, and how to operate the parachute. After this, we were invited to the staff briefing, which was given by the DI (Duty Instructor), covering which aircraft were being used during the day, the weather and any special notices. Once this was complete, we all climbed into one of the land rovers, and headed down to the runway in use, which was on the other side of the airfield. We were ready to fly.
However, in order to get the aircraft airborne as fast as possible, we all had to work laboriously on the ground, connecting the cables which launch the aircraft, holding the wingtips level and retrieving the gliders that had just landed. In order for this to happen, the group was split into two; one half would be flying and the other would be doing the ground work, swapping over midday.
At 611 VGS, cadets get a total of three launches, covering each part of the GIC (Gliding Induction Course) syllabus. Flight one, covers pitch and how the aircraft responds to different inputs, flight two covers roll and flight three coves yaw. All of the cadets had a chance to fly throughout the day and even CI Smith got a go at the controls. All cadets passed their GICs and as soon as they reach the age of 16, they are eligible to apply for a GS (Gliding Scholarship) where, if cadets show a high level of motivation and a high level of aptitude, can progress to fly solo, achieving their wings.
However, flying was grounded twice throughout the day. Firstly, at 14.30 as the world famous Red Arrows would be passing through our airspace and again at 16.00 as we were all to be treated by a flypast, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster, which flew over our heads at just 250 feet! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlq5Z8ogCDE
Gliding is one of many opportunities available in the Air Training Corps.
Submitted by Cpl Adams.
