Gliding and Flying

One of the main aims of the ACO, is to get Cadets up in the air as often as possible, whether that be as a passenger/co-pilot of an AEF Grob Tutor 115E, or on board a Chinook helicopter. This is arguably one of the main reasons Cadets join up. There are three main aircraft that you could be using during your time in the Cadets:

Grob G 115E T1
Grob G 109B T1
Grob G 103A T1

Grob G 115E T1
The Grob G 115E T1, more commonly known as the Tutor, is the aircraft of choice for 14 UAS's and 12 AEF's around the country; providing Cadets with the opportunity to fly with RAF pilots at 3,000ft! These pilots give up their time, to impart their knowledge and enthusiasm on the younger generation. Every Cadet will, hopefully, get the opportunity to have a flight each year, depending on weather conditions, aircraft availability, pilot availability and Cadet numbers

Grob G 103A T1
The Grob G 103A T1, more commonly known as the Viking, is the aircraft of choice for 10 VGS' around the country, including the CGS; it is a high-performance, modern glider that, along with its large canopy, provides Cadets with a fantastic gliding experience. To fly a glider with the ACO, you must get onto one of the following courses:

Gliding Induction Course
Gliding Scholarship Course
Advanced Gliding Scholarship Course

Grob G 109B T1
The Grob G 109B T1, more commonly known as the Vigilant, is the aircraft of choice for 17 VGS' around the country, including the CGS; it is a high-performance motor glider, that gives Cadets the chance practice basic flying techniques for gliders (as the Vigilant is basically a motor-glider), so they might be able to go solo. Although its engine isn't powerful enough for rapid climbing, it allows the aircraft to take off under its 'own steam', rather than using a winch

Text adapted from Royal Air Force Air Cadets - Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017
Gliding Image (top) taken from 759 Sqn
Flying image (top) taken from 1207 Sqn
© Air Cadet 101 - CWO. Harry Briggs, 2017