644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron

A huge congratulations to our newest commissioned officer. The newly appointed Plt Off Ryan Gray was informed today that he has successfully passed OASC and appointed to a commission in the RAFAC, having previously held a SNCO appointment. Well done Sir!

Welcome to the new Comdt 2FTS!

A great weekend with another SGS solo. A huge well done to FS Jasper Fielding (119 Scunthorpe Sqn ATC) who after only 4 weekends completed his SGS and flew solo, our third cadet solo of 2019. Well done!
Trent Wing Air Cadets 2 Flying Training School #whatwedo

A slow start to the weekend with high winds out of limits on Saturday and rain Sunday morning. However, this cleared to beautiful blue skies in the afternoon. Over 20 PTT sessions delivered this weekend, Blue ATP cadets from Wellingborough School CCF(RAF) and 3 SGS trainees flown today. A great second half of the day!

A fantastic start to February with another cadet solo. Well done to Cdt Roberts (126 City of Derby Squadron Air Cadets) who completed his SGS and flew solo on Saturday.
Despite the low very low temperatures, the weekend gave us blue skies and light winds allowing Cdt Roberts to complete his course.
This marks the second cadet solo for 644VGS for 2019. Fingers crossed for many more in the coming weeks.
... Well done!
Royal Air Force Air Cadets South and East Midlands Wing Air Cadets #whatwedo
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A huge congratulations to Cdt Green on completing his SGS today and flying a lovely solo circuit earning him his silver wings.
Our first cadet solo of 2019, hopefully marking the first of many more to come.
Well done!
... Central & East Region Air Cadets South and East Midlands Wing Air Cadets 2 Flying Training School #whatwedo
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A fantastic end to 2018 for 644 VGS with a first solo. Congratulations to Cdt Sam Conaghan (126 City of Derby Squadron Air Cadets) on completing his SGS today and flying solo. Well done!
This brings our total up to 15 cadets who have flown solo with 644 in 2018.
A great year had by all with 236 Blue/ Bronze ATP cadets and 30 IACE cadets flown, despite the beast from the east wiping out a good majority of the first quarter.
... A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us this year and made this possible, fingers crossed for the same, if not more, in 2019!
Happy new year from all at 644 VGS.
South and East Midlands Wing Air Cadets 2 Flying Training School Royal Air Force Air Cadets #whatwedo
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Congratulations to FSC Luke Tullett (127 City of Wakefield Air Cadets ATC SQN) who completed his Gold Wings Gliding Training (GWGT) today after flying a lovely 5 solo launches. After a day of great weather with blue skies and low winds, one more achievement before the end of 2018 for 644 VGS.
Luke joins a small cadre of cadets in the RAFAC to have gained this qualification. Well done!
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets South & West Yorkshire Wing #whatwedo

Congratulations to former VGS pilot Michael McKinley-Good on starting his new career as a First Officer with Flybe having flown his first passenger carrying sortie on Christmas Eve, suitably dressed for the occasion!
Michael started as an Air Cadet with 138 Squadron ATC and joined 644 VGS in 2008 following the completion of his Gliding Scholarship on the Vigilant. He remained as a Flight Staff Cadet and a Civilian Gliding Instructor having flown both the Vigilant and Viking ...gliders.
More recently, Michael was working as a Flying Instructor at various schools in the local area. He is now a First Officer on the Bombardier Dash 8 for Flybe based in Belfast.
Well done!
#whatwedo Royal Air Force Air Cadets 2 Flying Training School
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Last night saw the 644 VGS Christmas meal allowing the staff to celebrate and socialise away from the Squadron and airfield, what’s more it was a chance to celebrate the birthday of one of our instructors who is a Christmas Day baby!
On behalf of everyone at 644VGS we wish you all a happy Christmas and New Year.
The hard work has not finished just yet for 2018 with 3 more days flying before the new year, fingers crossed for good weather 🤞!

A huge congratulations to the newly appointed Pilot Officer Chris Moore. He was informed today that he successfully passed OASC and commissioned into the RAFAC. Well done sir!

Congratulations to 644 VGS instructor and OIC 1401 (Alfreton & Ripley Air Cadets) Sqn, Plt Off Chris Hayball on successfully completing his Officers Initial Course at the Adult Training Facility, RAF Cranwell. He spent the week learning about the position, what it means to be an Officer in the RAFAC, roles and responsibilities, leadership exercises and lots of drill! Well done.

Once again... well done Alex!
https://www.raf.mod.uk/…/…/cadet-alex -says-come-fly-with-me/
1300 Sqn Air Cadets Trent Wing Air Cadets Central & East Region Air Cadets

A great end to the second weekend of our Central Gliding School (CGS) standardisation visit, a total of 16 staff flown over the two weekends and a number of achievements to go with it.
A huge well done to Sgt Heather Smith, who returned to 644 VGS at the start of the year after a 10year break and this weekend was re-awarded her instructional category allowing her to deliver the SGS and GWGT syllabus along with and staff training. Well done!
Not only did we have our CGS visit but also got some cadet training completed too with a new SGS trainee starting their flying and 4 Blue ATP cadets today from 126 City of Derby Squadron Air Cadets

Today 644 VGS was visited by Air Cdre Gary Martin, the Director General of the Australian Air Force Cadets. The aim of the day being to see how the VGS operates, see the facilities, aircraft and training system in action. Air Cdre Martin took the opportunity to speak to the speak to the staff and cadets and spoke about both the commonalities and differences we share with the Australian Air Force Cadets, given that they also have a glider fleet delivering similar gliding experiences for their cadets. Royal Air Force Air Cadets 2 Flying Training School

A fantastic weekend at 644VGS with some great winter flying weather (and some not so great weather!).
This weekend saw a number of external audits and visits with an assurance visit from the 2FTS Air Safety Management Team, the 2FTS Internal Quality Audit and our first annual visit from Central Gliding School. Over the weekend they managed to fly standardisation sorties with 11 of our instructors and will be back next weekend to fly with some more.
Another first this weekend with our Flight Staff Cadet Grade 1 pilot flying his first cadets. Picture is FSC Alex Burch flying his first two trainees from 1401 (Alfreton & Ripley) Air Cadets.

Congratulations to FSC Alex Burch on being awarded his Grade 1. This now allows him to deliver the Blue & Bronze ATP syllabus to other cadets, despite still being a cadet himself! He is currently a cadet with 1300 Sqn Air Cadets
He has progressed very quick since his Grade 2 award in the summer and this marks another milestone in the VGS progress since the pause in gliding, Alex is the first Viking Grade 1 pilot who is a cadet. A huge achievement, well done!
Central & East Region Air Cadets Trent Wing Air Cadets 2 Flying Training School Royal Air Force Air Cadets

A definite start to winter this weekend with end of British Summer Time; time to get out the hats and gloves!
A mixed weekend with plenty of rain showers and strong winds, however there was still some blue skies to be had. We still managed to get cadets airborne completing 10 Blue ATP sorties with cadets from The Kings School Grantham CCF (RAF), 1237 North Hykeham Air Cadets Publicity and 868 Mirfield Squadron Air Cadets.
We also managed some other awards, a well done to FS Hannah Coates who qualified as a winch instructor, this enables her to teach other VGS staff members in winch operations, an integral part of a Viking operation. Well done!

With much better weather than last weekend, a lot of great achievements.
Saturday saw CGI Dan Jowers awarded his Grade 1 Pilots qualification. This allows him to deliver the Blue & Bronze ATP to visiting cadet trainees. He subsequently flew his first cadet the same day, well done!
Sunday saw another graded pilot qualification. FSC Sam Hurry was awarded his Grade 2 pilot qualification allowing him to fly the aircraft solo and begin his training to Grade 1. Sam joins a very s...mall pool of graded pilot cadets in the RAFAC, a huge achievement.
Finally, Sunday also saw a first solo and SGS completion by Sgt Crampton of 2222 - Brigg Squadron Air Training Corps. A very well flown solo circuit. A fantastic achievement and he was awarded his wings which he can wear with pride on his uniform.
Trent Wing Air Cadets Central & East Region Air Cadets 2160 Sleaford Sqn Air Cadets 1803 Hucknall Squadron - RAF Air Cadets 2 Flying Training School
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Two of our cadets were in the gliders today and the loved it. They had a fantastic day thank you and well done to all of the volunteers.

Thank you to all the staff at 644 VGS that gave 209 Sqn ATC cadets an excellent experience, they all had a fantastic day and came away with not only certificates and Blue badges but the words from one cadet



"The highlight of my cadet career"

Thank you to 644VGS for getting our two cadets from 1947 Birstall Sqn ATC Airborne and teaching them to gain their blue wings. Great staff support

One of the best experiences of my ATC time. So pleased to see other cadets still getting this amazing opportunity.