FSC Tobias Wilson was awarded Best Staff Cadet 2011 at the 621 VGS Annual Dinner on 7th January by Sqn Ldr Dave Woolcock OC 621 VGS.
621VGS News
621 VGS operated for two continuous “Summer Course” weeks in August with twenty students achieving their Gliding Scholarships, fourteen of which went solo.
The courses also provided the opportunity for the new C-Cats to get their first experience of teaching the full course from start to finish.
With favourable conditions at the end of the fortnight, the junior staff were able to get in some flying, with two AGT2 awards being achieved.
Well done to Ellie Nicholls on passing her C-Cat Instructor course at RAF Syerston. After completing site checks at Hullavington, Ellie taught her first Gliding Scholarship students on the second of 621’s Summer courses.
The Air Cadet Organisation has celebrated its 70th Birthday in style at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.
A flypast consisting of the following aircraft flown by the Air Cadets over the last 70 years:
Powered: Tiger Moth, Chipmunk, Bulldog and a Tutor
Motor Gliders: Venture and a Vigilant
Gliders: Sedburgh and a Swallow towed by a Chipmunk and a Prefect and MkIII towed by a Piper Cub.
The aircraft gathered at Hullavington on the Tuesday prior to the event before training commencing on Wednesday. The display was given approval on Thursday with the first flypast at RIAT taking place on Friday at 6pm. As far as we are aware the first time the organisation has displayed at the event. The weather conditions over the weekend were not the best, rain cancelled Saturdays display and Sunday’s was also a close call.
With some adjustments, the Sunday display went ahead with all the aircraft passing 70,000+ crowds and making it safetly back to Hullavington.
The display was given a special mention at the RIAT Hanger Party, the traditional closing evening event by Air Commadore Nigel Wharmby of the Air Tattoo’s Flying Control Committee. “The display with training aircraft and gliders was truly remarkable given that the wind and weather made conditions phenomenally difficult,” he said, adding: “I salute you.”
A team of six staff members from 621VGS beat 17 teams from the world’s best air forces in shooting and first aid on Friday, to win overall, the Royal International Air Tattoo Crew Challenge 2011 and take home the Lockheed Martin-sponsored trophy.
The competition required the teams to compete in a range of activities including raft building, first aid, shooting, assault course and aircraft recognition. Each member of the team brought their own strengths and the training they have received as part of their Air Cadet service was a key element in their success.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, congratulated the team on Saturday whilst visiting the Air Cadet display.
It was a damp start to this years Dawn till Dusk with drizzle followedby stong winds and low cloud preventing the event starting until nearly 1300hrs.
More Soon.
With tempratures peaking at 27 degrees, this years Easter Course was probably one of the hottest.
Photo taken by Junior Corporal Adam Repa from The Perse School CCF
Each of the eleven students on the course, as well as the members of staff, battled the searing heat inside the cockpits as well as light and changable winds. The result : 11 completed Scholarships and 10 solos with 2 days remaining. Well done!
With the new patio area nearly complete and a new BBQ up and running, an early End of Couse BBQ was a fantastic way to end saturday night. Thanks to Sarah, Jessica and Nick for organising.
With the cadets disappearing on Sunday morning, the attention turned to the junior staff who had worked so hard in the heat to keep the operation running.
The 2011 Ride of Respect took place on Sunday 3rd April. 10,000 motorcycles congregated at Hullavington Airfield to ride through Wotton Basset, raising money for the charity Afghan Heroes.
Motorcycles lined up on Runway 14
The RAF Central Gliding School, formerly the Air Cadet Central Gliding School, visited 621 VGS over the weekend.
Teams from CGS visit all the Air Cadet Volunteer Gliding Squadrons to ensure that we operate at the highest standard.
Their report will follow soon.