Page 24 - Cadet Review Autumn 2023

CEY Wing ATC
GLIDING SCHOLARSHIP
EXPERIENCE
By Sergeant Louis Byrne
Being in the Air Cadets has given me many amazing opportunities which I will never forget: attending No. 1 Radio School at RAF Cosford; completing my Silver DofE; teaching at Harrogate Wing Aerospace Centre and even performing for the Queen’s Jubilee at the Tower of London. However, none have come close
to attending my Gliding Scholarship at 661 VGS in Kirknewton, Scotland.
I always heard it called “the pinnacle of my cadet career” by people who had completed it before,
but never quite believed it could live up to that compliment, I’m not quite sure why, but I thought it was a fairly bold statement to make, and was a bit cliché... but here I am, after attending, and I can tell you it truly has been the pinnacle of my cadet career!
Being from North Lincolnshire, I had only ever been to Scotland once, in 2009, so even the accent surprised me on the journey up and when we got there, I do have to say, the view from the car of the hills was an experience in itself.
The first day or so involved getting acquainted with the Viking and general operations around the VGS (Volunteer Gliding Squadron). Both myself and the other GS Cadet learnt how to be wing orderlies, how to attach cables, and how to aid in manoeuvring aircraft. Along with becoming familiar with the staff, this made us both feel completely a part of the team, even though we had been there for such a short amount of time.
The course consisted of a mix of ground school and practical lessons, culminating in the potential for a solo flight at the end of the week, along with helping around the VGS with maintenance of aircraft and the facility.
We learnt how to coordinate the controls of the aircraft; how to perform take off checks, orders and the launch itself; we learnt how to fly circuits and how to land safely; moreover we learnt what to do
if we were to make a mistake, stall, or be too high or low in the circuit due to conditions. The area around where we were flying was amazing, with views of Arthur’s seat, the Forth Bridges, and the City of Edinburgh all around the circuit, as someone who hadn’t been to Scotland any time and remembered it, seeing all these famous landmarks was awe inspiring while up in the air.
We were also lucky enough during the week to have a fly over from one of the RAF Red Arrows after their stop off in Edinburgh overnight, although short and sweet, this was incredible to see, and felt extra special as it diverted over Kirknewton intentionally so that we were able to see it.
I was unable to complete the entire syllabus in Scotland due to large amounts of foul weather and ended up not being able to solo first time round, but during one of my lessons, I was able to fly a complete
Overall, my experience on SGS was once in a lifetime and I would do it again in a heartbeat,
I would strongly encourage anyone over the age of 16 giveitago and apply
circuit without the aid of my instructor who was sat behind me, the feeling of doing that was incredible. After my week in Scotland, I was lucky enough to
be asked back to complete my scholarship at 644 VGS in Syerston. Attending every Saturday, I was able to complete the last few exercises over three weeks, the final Saturday was spent completing solo checks; these were launches with a senior instructor which included a low circuit and two launch failures. Once my instructor was happy with my ability, she approved me to go solo, I was excited, but nervous
at the same time, however as soon as I launched, the well-practiced procedures kicked in and I was able to fly the circuit successfully resulting in the awarding of my silver wings. I can only describe the feeling of finally going solo as euphoric, like the first time you drive after passing your driving test, but on a new level, it was truly amazing.
Overall, my experience on SGS was once in a lifetime and I would do it again in a heartbeat, I would strongly encourage anyone over the age of 16 give it a go and apply
24 CADET REVIEW AUTUMN 2023