Mike, by the looks of your profile picture you are a hang glider pilot. If you can be temped back to something easier on the undercarriage (legs)you can find a local gliding club at www.gliding.co.uk, you'll probably find a number of people of a similar age.
As a 16 year old I did my A & B licenses in 1967 at RAF Hendon in Cadet Mk3s - they had the aerodynamic capabilities of a house-brick. Nevertheless, that one week course, culminating in three solo flights was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my entire life. At age 70 I look back with very fond memories of the opportunities afforded me by the RAF Cadets and am disappointed that the youngsters of today don't have the same access to flying/gliding we had back then.
My one time gliding in the ATC (mid 1970's) was in a open cockpit, side by side type. It was a bitterly cold day and the flight lasted about seven minutes! Towed up, circuit, land. Still a thrill for a 14 year old though!
Anyone here in lockdown lol, I’m joining the air cadets in a couple of months , signed up already . I am so excited for this opportunity . I want to see what it’s like as in the future I want to be in the Air Force like my relatives.
You made the right decision 😁 I joined in September and finished training in January. My squadron already got the new training flight in however I feel bad for them they only had a few meetings before lockdown 😂 You will definitely enjoy it at air cadets just stay away from the army and sea cadets we don’t like them 😂
First glider flight with the ATC was back in 84 in open cockpit gliders at RAF Locking. In 87 got to fly in the brand new ones at Upavon.....like going from. Ford Escort to a M3😀
Find a gliding club at www.gliding.co.uk. Any club with open membership will he happy to offer you a trial lesson. If you want to learn to fly they can teach you.
I got my A & B solo cert around 1972 at Spitalgate. Seems unreal now, 26 launches in a Mk 3, 90 minutes then 3 solos You wouldn't let someone drive a car solo nowadays, after 90 minutes tuition, aged 16, lol. Happy days. Went on to be a staff cadet at 635 GS, Burtonwood and then did a bit of gliding at Blackpool & Fylde, Chipping. Family stuff took over then but took up microlighting later and did 750 hours with an engine - cheating, I know, but flying is flying.
Im going gliding next week on Sunday and I’ve only been at cadets for 10 months..! Wasn’t expecting to be thrown into it so quickly to be honest, and kind of nervous ill screw up as I finished my first class months ago. I’ve only known I’m going for about a week, so it will be interesting..! Any tips?? Did it 2 weeks ago, and it was the best thing in my life!
@@Samxxcl I’m sure you’d be okay to join. I’m an air cadet myself (4 years) and they are pretty inclusive. I was a bit… i suppose on the ‘big’ size when i joined but weight shouldn’t stop you from experiencing something. I know with the gliders there is a max and minimum weight but there is quite a large gap between so they try to include everyone no matter weight, height etc. i’m hoping to stay on cadets for my last sixth form year and when i take a gap year. I joined at a horrible time - just before COVID hit and had only experienced band then. I’ve only just started being able to experience flights like this - currently waiting for dates on my glider scholarship (another thing you can do through the cadets) - i’ve lost weight since i joined but that’s because i plan on applying for the RAF after taking a gap year. Cadets is about experiencing these sorts of things. and i’m sure you’d have no problem joining! it would be worth contacting your nearest squadron for when their open evening is or when they take in new recruits. those evenings give you a lot of information on what we do and you’ll see how diverse the squadron is. but across the country, there’s a lot of diversity and inclusivity.
Yea I'm on the list to go flying next week and I haven't even finished first class 🤣 I've been with the air cadets for only about a month or two but hey 🤣
Kids today have it easy lol in my day in the ATC we had open cockpits and Slingsby T31 gliders, gained my wings May 1969 616 gliding school RAF Henlow. Worse part was when they sent out the Land Rover to pick you up and they drove over the biggest bumps they could find Ah happy days
1990 s cfb northbay had the f18 squadron. This is where our air cadet squadron the Northstars would go to glide. F18s would do touch and gos while we waiting our turns to go up in gliders. They would also roar by the gliders in flight.
I doubt many 14 year olds would want to be categorised as young children but 14 is the youngest anyone in the UK and Europe can fly an aircraft solo. Glider flying does not yet require a pilot's licence (that is in the pipeline) but you cannot qualify for a license (or equivalent until the age of 16), up to that point you are classed as a student pilot and restricted on where you can go.You can start learning to fly before 14, the main thing is being large enough to see out and to operate the controls but it is rare to start serious training until close to 14. Apart from completing all the training exercises a key requirement for anyone to be allowed to fly solo is to convince an instructor that you can fly safely in any situation you may face.Anyone who does go solo at 14 is likely to attract the attention of the local press, in a good way.
As a member of the Civil Air Patrol, (USA version of RAFAC), it is fascinating to learn that yall get practically the same opportunities that we get when it comes to flying. Do you guys get to do powered flights as well?
As someone with few hours in a glider, but many more in powered aircraft, I always felt uncomfortable when there isn't a big noise-maker. Me screaming doesn't count. 😆 The only thing I like even less is when the noise-maker should be making noise but no longer does and I have to become a glider pilot right there and then. 😱
The earliest you can legally fly solo in the UK is 14 so 13 is a good time to start learning. There are roughly 100 gliding clubs around the UK who are happy to teach all ages from about 10 up (and big enough to reach the controls) so you could get one of your parents to learn as well (but not as fast). Go to www.gliding.co.uk to find clubs local to you.
Shalbourne Gliding is a member club of the British Gliding Association, not part of the Air Cadets. Club membership is open to all and we train members to solo flying standard and beyond using the BGA flying syllabus.
There are a lot of frustrated pilots out there! Unfortunately because you can't practically social distance in a 2 seat aircraft we could well be stuck on the ground for some time. There are options other than the Air Cadets but the situation is the same for everyone at the moment.
My squadron brought the new training flight a fortnight before lockdown they only got around 4-5 meetings but don’t worry! The air cadets are going to start again as soon as possible, most squadrons (including mine) are even doing virtual meetings so I’m sure as soon as lockdown is over you will get a chance to sign up! In the meantime don’t get brainwashed into army or sea cadets 😂
ziemniak_online aha thanks have fun with your online meeting my air cadets the night I started got closed but hopefully open soon and I would never get brainwashed into sea cadets or army cadets 🤣
The DoT announced a relaxation of the lockdown regarding general aviation yesterday, 15th May, social distancing requirements mean that training flights are not possible (unless student and instructor live together). While on the ground there is plenty to learn. As well as things directly connected with flying there are the things like how to check your aircraft is fit for flight (you don't want to find after take off that it is not).
No, clubs will each own a number of gliders, primarily two seater trainers that can be used by members, you usually pay for flying time by the minute and most clubs have reduced fees for young members. Instruction is usually free. The BGA's web site, www.gliding.co.uk, has details of all member clubs and links to their web sites.Most clubs offer trial lessons and introductory membership so you can which whether its for you before committing to a full year's membership
Just a couple questions and concerns because I’m actually looking to join the raf air cadets… how difficult is it to fly the glider? I imagine it’s something you get used to and I know I’m in good hands but I just worry about things. Any feedback on good things and bad things would be extremely helpful
Flying training is done in dual control aircraft, your instructor will demonstrate each exercise before you attempt it. If things don't go to plan he can take over and put things right. Everyone is different training can be paced for each student pilot, safety is paramount.
@@marzenakawalec1797 , indeed my company made 1000 plus pilots redundant . There’s about 15000 looking for work in Europe . I’m giving up and looking outside aviation after 28 years of it
14yr old grandson in flight training school sw france goes up on weekend gvt future pilot training program he is canadian living in france also has finnish citizenship totaly bilingual perennial honour student,
Have an Air Cadet exam tomorrow apparently (they told us it was happening but it’s not on the official schedule) and if I don’t pass I get kicked out. One I three don’t pass
O Shit I have been an air cadet since September and it has been amazing I always looked (coronavirus ☹️) forward to every parade night! I know that cadets is not for some people; when I explain to people what happens on a regular parade night they sometimes wonder why I love cadets XD I’d say if you like marching for extended amounts of time and if you have general interest in aviation/ sometimes geography definitely sign up! I was also worried about what the existing cadets will think of me when I join. I was lucky enough to join with my best friend so I wasn’t lonely during training and I’d recommend you’d join with a friend if you can as well. Most of the cadets were very welcoming and nice, while they do make fun of your awful marching 😂 as soon as you get the grip of it and learn to march you blend in with them entirely and it’s like one big family. It is quite hard to explain what cadets is really like but it has been a very good experience and it has taught me quite a lot. As soon as the virus is over, join!!!
Ask the Air Cadets that question. I'm an instructor in a civilian club. To find a gliding club near you go to www.gliding.co.uk. All introductory flights, details can be found on their web sites.
Excellent question Curtis. two seat gliders have dual controls so an instructor can demonstrate a manoeuvre to his/her student then the student can attempt it. If it doesn't quite go right the instructor can take back control. In fact there is a formal protocol for handing over or taking control (You have control / I have control). If you want to learn to fly, you'll almost certainly get more time in the air with a civilian gliding club, most have a cadet scheme or reduced rates for young people. go to www.gliding.co.uk to find a club close to you.
Would that be a car sick feeling? The view looking backwards is unusual so that might not be helpful if viewed on a big screen. You won't know how you will react until you try it. Very often once you start having some control motion sickness will disappear, as your brain is no longer getting confusing signals.
Nothing significant. The most is probably the initial acceleration; you can go from zero to 50kts in a couple of seconds. Gliders are generally stressed to take 3.5G but it is rare to go anywhere near there.
So this was actually at a civilian gliding club, the squadron got tired of having no gliding slots so we got some cadets up in the air by our own means
It's a Direct Vission (DV) panel. It can be opened to give clear site of the ground should the canopy become heavily missed etc. (not that common but important to be prepared for) but it is mainly used it increase ventilation. So by calling it a vent you pretty much had it worked out 😉
At about 4 mins in you will see the instructor's demonstration of the effects of controls and the cadet's first attempt in a glider (he had flown in other aircraft so wasn't considered a complete beginner)
Air cadet- I know everything about gliders! (only done one flight). Pre-solo air cadet glider pilot- 80 launches under her belt. I know how a glider works!!
