Staff Cdts
Being a Staff Cadet and Training
Almost all the staff at 613VGS started flying with a VGS and most were staff Cadets.
Having completed a Gliding Scholarship and having been recommended for advanced training, cadets need to write to the commanding officer at 613 VGS.
Prospective Cadets are invited to 613 to have a look around and discuss what is involved in being a staff cadet. Staff Cadets are attached to either Saturday or Sunday.
They are expected to attend most weekends and have a high commitment. Staff Cadets are the unsung heroes and they complete many of the background duties, such as:
- Briefing visiting staff and cadets
- Daily Inspection of Parachutes
- Daily inspection of Land Rovers
- Aircraft servicing
- Checking the runways for debris and damage
- Filling up of caravan with daily supplies
- Cleaning of aircraft and canopies
- Assisting with ground handling of Aircraft
- Strapping in of GIC cadets.
- Cleaning of caravan, aircraft at end of flying
- Ensuring hangar and HQ building are clean
- Ensuring Instructors and visitors and kept topped up with Tea and coffee!
| So after all the above is completed and more, Staff Cdt's receive flying training, initially to AGT standard. This will be carried out by a senior instructor. |  |
Having completed the AGT, the VGS considers whether or not they should continue to becoming a Full Staff Cadet.
After AGT the staff cadet gains experience by further training and flying solo and eventually gaining a G2 status. This consists of a minimum of 12 hours instruction and 3 hours solo. After this period a G2 check is completed by the OC or CFI and if successful a G2 is awarded.
Further training continues to G1 standards where a further 10 hours instruction and 5 hours solo minimum must be completed. Another successful check ride with the OC and CFI and a G1 can be awarded. This entitles the G1 to carry passengers on GIC and Familiarisation flights and wear the Glider Pilot Wings.
Further training can continue to become an Instructor and teach cadets to fly. Cadets are limited to being a C category instructor.
Staff Cadet Web Site
There is a web site run by staff cadets which has further information.
This is an excellent site and recommend to both staff cadets and others interested in the work done by staff cadets. It is so good that most of this page is copied from the Flight Staff Cadet website which was written by Civilian Gliding Instructor Ball.