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612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron

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612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron

612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (part of 2 Flying Training School, RAF) - Providing flying training to Royal Air Force Air Cadets from RAF Little Rissington

612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) is part of 2 Flying Training School, 22 Group. It was previously located at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon but reformed at RAF Little Rissington December 2024. The role of the Squadron is to provide flying training to the young people in the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC). The Squadron primarily operates at the weekends, although it does provide a few weeklong residential courses throughout the year. The Squadron is staffed purely by volunteers, trained and examined to RAF flying and instructional standards and staff give up their free time to provide the fantastic flying training opportunities available to the Air Cadets. In recognition for all the staffs efforts, the Squadron was awarded the prestigious ‘Queens Award for Voluntary Service’ in 2013.

10/08/2026

Congratulations to Sgt Chellisha Au Yeung of 1315 (Kidlington) Squadron who completed her first solo flight this weekend.

Sgt Au Yeung was awarded her silver wings after completing her gliding scholarship course. Well done!

31/07/2026

612 have had a busy few days finishing our July course which saw us fly 71 cadets on Gliding Induction Flights (GIF) as well as conducting a wide range of staff training.

A big congratulations are due to Sgt Lucy Taylor who was awarded her Grade 1 pilot qualification. She will now be able to fly cadets on their GIF sorties.

A huge well done goes to both Lt Col Archibald and FSC Isaac Aldred on the completion of their Advanced Glider Training (AGT). Both will now progress into further training as they progress towards flying cadets.

Finally, we’ve also seen a fantastic achievement from CGI Mya Joseph who gained her winch qualifications. She’s now trained up to ensure we get in the air each weekend!

Well done all!

10/04/2026

A huge well done to CWO Luke Hambridge who passed his B2 gliding instructor qualification today. This means that Luke can now teach other cadets on their Gliding Scholarship course.

Congratulations Luke!

04/10/2025

Congratulations to CWO James Nicholas who has been awarded the Dacre Sword. This award recognises James as the best cadet in the ATC this year.

James is a Flight Staff Cadet with 612 VGS as well as supporting cadets in his wing as a Qualified Aerospace Instructor. He also recently represented the UK in Australia on the International Air Cadet Exchange.

Looking forwards, James is shortly to commence a career in aviation having been awarded a British Airways Speedbird Scholarship.

23/08/2025

Today saw the completion of our highly successful August course. The team worked through some hot and challenging flying conditions to deliver a phenomenal 448 launches and almost 45 hours flying. Five cadets completed their first solos, and a further three were awarded their bronze wings on the completion of the Gliding Scholarship syllabus.

During the week we also received a visit from Air Cdre Woods, Air Officer Wales, and Honorary Air Cdre Sujatha Thaladi who joined us to see what we do, presenting two of our first solo students with their wings.

There’s more detail on our week at https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/news/wings-awarded-as-612-vgs-resumes-residential-gliding-scholarships/

A huge thanks to the whole team for taking time out to deliver a fantastic weeks flying for the cadets!

17/08/2025

Well done to Sgt Joanna Graham who earned her Grade 1 qualification this weekend!

After completing a rigorous training programme, Joanna can now fly our visiting cadets delivering their Gliding Induction Flights and the start of the Gliding Scholarship syllabus.

Congratulations Joanna!

15/08/2025

A huge congratulations to Sgt Will Martin who completed his B1 at RAF Syerston.

Will has spent the week flying with Central Gliding Squadron, demonstrating his instructing skills and theory knowledge. He is now able to teach cadets the Advanced Gliding Training syllabus as well as to train our junior staff team. An awesome achievement!

28/07/2025

The 612 team have seen a busy couple of weeks with a number of the team gaining new qualifications including a new B2 instructor and 2 new Grade One pilots and a first solo. Congratulations to everyone!

FSC James Nicholas completed his first solo, completing his Gliding Scholarship course. A huge step in his aviation career!

Sgt Zoe King was awarded her B2 instructors qualification after an intensive week of training with Central Gliding Squadron at RAF Syerston. This allows her to now teach RAF Air Cadets on their Gliding Scholarship courses.

CGI Mike Standen and Sgt Matt Smyth have both earned their Grade 1 pilot qualifications. This means that both train cadets on their Gliding Induction Flights.

Finally, Flt Lt Luke Short has been awarded his bar to his long service medal. Recognition for the years of dedicated cadet flying.

27/06/2025

A huge congratulations to our newest B1, Plt Off Matt Bartlett.

Matt was awarded his B1 category instructors qualification after a week’s intensive flying at RAF Syerston followed by a challenging standardisation flight with CFS. The award demonstrates Matt’s skills as an instructor and allows him to now train our junior staff as they progress onto their advanced training and beyond.

Well done Matt!

22/06/2025

Saturday saw the 612 team deliver a massive 88 Gliding Induction Flights to cadets as part of Exercise Long Barrow - a GIF focused day.

Cadets from Bristol and Gloucester, West Mercia, Thames Valley, No 1 Welsh, No 3 Welsh, Warwickshire and Birmingham and Dorset and Wilts Wings, as well as the Combined Cadet Force, all joined the RAF Little Rissington team for their introductory flights.

Well done to the dedicated team for battling some challenging weather to get all the cadets in the air on a fantastic day!

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GL542LR

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