On Saturday June 29th, we went to RAF Little Rissington to No 637 voluntary gliding school. This is situated just outside of Gloucester. We were welcomed by GS (gliding scholarship) cadets and staff alike at the gliding school. We were led off to a room where the cadets in attendance watched an informative briefing video and any queries we had about the day ahead could be answered.

Once this was completed, the cadets were led off to the caravan where all of the procedures for the day would go ahead, including radio calls for take offs and landings! The cadets were called up systematically for their flight and waited in the caravan before and after!

Cdt Roper N
This was my first time flying, as I have only been a cadet for 6 months. It was a totally new experience, I felt quite sick at the start but by the time we got to our optimum height I was used to it and the views were fantastic. My pilot was friendly and informative. Whilst flying I did something that is called the GIC (Gliding Induction Course). This comes in three parts, as I had never flown before I did my GIC 1. During my flight I got shown 'pitch' this is the function of the glider that is operated by the elevators situated on the tail plane. The cockpit control, which operates this, is the control column. If pulled to the rear the glider will 'pitch' up, which means the nose of the glider will go up. If pushed forwards then the glider will 'pitch' down, which means the nose of the glider will go down.

The best part of the flight was when I got to take control of the glider. The pilot stated 'You have control' once I was comfortable with the controls I replied 'I have control, sir!' It was quite scary to begin with but once I adjusted myself to it, it was great fun. I'd definitely recommend it to any member of the Air Training Corps and I hope I will get the opportunity to fly again.

Cpl Richardson
I have been gliding three times now, but the feeling you get when you take off always remains the same. It feels great that you are no longer on the ground. This time I did my GIC 3. This section of the Gliding Induction Course covers the 'yaw' function of the glider. The cockpit controls for this are situated in the foot wells and are two pedals. The right 'rudder' pedal makes the glider yaw right, this means that the glider remains horizontal but the direction of flight is changed, the glider will continue to 'yaw' right until the action is counter acted and the left rudder used. The same happens when the left rudder pedal is used. Once the controls for this had been demonstrated I was given control and was shown how to use all three of the functions of the glider together (pitch, roll and yaw). This was very hard to get used to but when I had figured it out it was quite easy.

Now I have completed all three stages of the GIC I am now hoping to continue with gliding, and hopefully complete a Gliding Scholarship (GS). This is a 10 hour course during which the cadet participating gets the opportunity to fly solo. Entrants must be 16 or over but it is well worth the wait!

Article Submitted by:-
Cpl Richardson and Cdt Roper N - 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron
04Jul02