645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron

645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron The official page of 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Topcliffe. Res Multis Nova - For many a first. This page will have news, pictures and videos.

This page is for all; students, visitors, staff and past members of 645 VGS. It will also contain information for visitors and students, if you have any questions please post them below, and we'll do our best to answer them.

✈️🙌🏻 Bank Holiday Solo For Ripon Cadet, Jonty Ledbetter! 🙌🏻✈️🥈Today, we saw another cadet fly an aircraft solo, achievi...
04/05/2026

✈️🙌🏻 Bank Holiday Solo For Ripon Cadet, Jonty Ledbetter! 🙌🏻✈️🥈

Today, we saw another cadet fly an aircraft solo, achieving their RAFAC Silver Wings.

Cadet Sergeant (Cdt Sgt) Jonty Ledbetter, from 886 (City Of Ripon) Squadron, Central & East Yorkshire Wing, has attended the unit for the last few months. He has had a strong ambition to fly solo, battling crosswinds and poor weather. Today, it paid off and he has flown an aircraft solo for the first time.

Well done on earning your RAFAC Silver Wings Jonty, from all the staff and instructors at 645 VGS, RAF Topcliffe.

Commandant Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Central & East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC
886 (City of Ripon) Sqn, Ripon Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School

Photo: Cdt Sgt Jonty Ledbetter is given his RAFAC Silver Wings by 645 VGS Chief Flying Instructor, Flt Lt Jordan Cameron.

🥈✈️🙌🏻 Silver Wings For Josh Emsley! 🙌🏻✈️🥈Today, we saw another 645 VGS Flight Staff Cadet (FSC) fly an aircraft solo, ac...
02/05/2026

🥈✈️🙌🏻 Silver Wings For Josh Emsley! 🙌🏻✈️🥈

Today, we saw another 645 VGS Flight Staff Cadet (FSC) fly an aircraft solo, achieving their RAFAC Silver Wings.

Cadet Josh Emsley, from 2527 (Lawnswood) Squadron, Central & East Yorkshire Wing, has attended the unit over the last few months, in a quest to complete the course. He is no stranger to gliding, and has completed a large number of launches, and solos, at the The York Gliding Club, Rufforth. So, although today was not his first true solo, it certainly was in one of his Majesty The King’s aircraft!

Well done on earning your RAFAC Silver Wings Josh, from all your colleagues at 645 VGS.

Commandant Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School
2527 Lawnswood Squadron Air Cadets
Central & East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC

Photo: Cadet Josh Emsley is congratulated by 645 CFI, Flt Lt Jordan Cameron.

🥈✈️🙌🏻 Silver Wings For Bella Reid! 🙌🏻✈️🥈Today, we saw another 645 VGS Flight Staff Cadet (FSC) fly an aircraft solo, ach...
04/04/2026

🥈✈️🙌🏻 Silver Wings For Bella Reid! 🙌🏻✈️🥈

Today, we saw another 645 VGS Flight Staff Cadet (FSC) fly an aircraft solo, achieving their RAFAC Silver Wings.

Cadet Sergeant (Sgt) Bella Reid, from 110 (City Of York) Squadron, Central & East Yorkshire Wing, has attended the unit regularly in her quest to complete the course. She is no stranger to gliding, and has completed a large number of launches, and solos, at the Wolds Gliding Club near York. So, although today was not her first true solo, it certainly was in one of his Majesty The King’s aircraft! She will now begin the Advanced Gliding Training course with a view to achieving her RAFAC Gold Wings.

Well done on earning your RAFAC Silver Wings Bella, hopefully you’ll remember this day for a very long time!

2 Flying Training School
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Central & East Yorkshire Wing
110 (City of York) Sqn ATC
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

Photo: Sgt Bella Reid is congratulated by her instructor, 645 CFI, Flt Lt Andy Sweetmore.

🥇✈️🙌🏻 ANOTHER Goes For Gold At 645 VGS! 🙌🏻✈️🥇Yesterday, we saw one of our Flight Staff Cadets (FSCs) complete their Adva...
22/03/2026

🥇✈️🙌🏻 ANOTHER Goes For Gold At 645 VGS! 🙌🏻✈️🥇

Yesterday, we saw one of our Flight Staff Cadets (FSCs) complete their Advanced Gliding Training, achieving their RAFAC Gold Wings.

Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO) Vic Greathead, from 1953 (Knaresborough) Squadron, Central & East Yorkshire Wing, has shown dedication and commitment to her gliding training but has also been instrumental in supporting daily operations weekly, on the squadron. She has completed all the required solos and can wear her RAFAC Gold Wings with pride.

Well done Vic, from all the staff at 645 VGS, RAF Topcliffe!

2 Flying Training School
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Central & East Yorkshire Wing
1953 Knaresborough Squadron Air Training Corps
Commandant Air Cadets

Photo: CWO Vic Greathead in after completion of her RAFAC Gold Wings.

🎉🙌🏻✈️ Another G1 At 645 VGS! ✈️🙌🏻🎉Last weekend saw CGI Ben Haslam achieving his Grade 1 (G1) award.Ben joined 645 VGS as...
21/03/2026

🎉🙌🏻✈️ Another G1 At 645 VGS! ✈️🙌🏻🎉

Last weekend saw CGI Ben Haslam achieving his Grade 1 (G1) award.

Ben joined 645 VGS as a Flight Staff Cadet alongside his role at 2487 (Easingwold) Sqn. He remained committed to both roles, recently becoming adult staff and continues to commit to the organisation. He will now deliver training to our visiting cadets, on gliding induction flights.

Congratulations Ben, from all your colleagues at 645 VGS, RAF Topcliffe! 💪🏼

Commandant Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Central & East Yorkshire Wing
2 Flying Training School
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
2487 Easingwold SQN Royal Air Force Air Cadets

Photo: 645 VGS Instructor, Flt Lt Nigel Gamble congratulates CGI Ben Haslam after a successful G1 check flight.

645 VGS Annual Dinner 2026, A Huge Success! 🎉Thanks to all who attended our Squadron Annual Dinner 2026 recently, at the...
21/03/2026

645 VGS Annual Dinner 2026, A Huge Success! 🎉

Thanks to all who attended our Squadron Annual Dinner 2026 recently, at the Ramside Hall Hotel in County Durham.

The evening commenced at 1800 hrs with Squadron staff past and present, their partners and honoured guests enjoying a delicious three course meal. After a loyal toast to His Majesty the King, awards were distributed to thoroughly deserving staff, for the year 2025/2026:

🏆 Best Flight Flight Staff Cadet 2026 - FSC Isaac Sinclair! (Received by Sgt Jake Saynor)

🏆 Greatest Personal Development 2026 - Sgt Jordan Eastwood! (Received by CGI Ben Haslam)

🏆 Best Instructor 2026 - Sqn Ldr Aaron O’Roarty!

🏆 Flight Safety Award 2026 - Sgt Lee Crispin!

🏆 6th CFM Clasp - Flt Lt Mike McCleave!

We heard speeches from the DCFI Flt Lt Jordan Cameron, FSO Flt Lt Nige Gamble, and OC 645 Sqn Ldr Chris Fleming, who hands over command of the Squadron in May this year. We also said a fond farewell to Fg Off Dom Quaintrell, Flt Lt Julian Rose and Flt Lt Stan Hardwick - It’s difficult to quantify how much time and effort these people have given to the organisation over many years; we’re very grateful.

It was a very enjoyable evening for all, we’re already looking forward to next year! Congratulations as always to each and every member of staff who scooped an award. 🏆

North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

🥇✈️🙌🏻 ANOTHER Flight Staff Cadet Strikes Gold At 645 VGS! 🙌🏻✈️🥇Today, we saw one of our Flight Staff Cadets (FSCs) compl...
14/02/2026

🥇✈️🙌🏻 ANOTHER Flight Staff Cadet Strikes Gold At 645 VGS! 🙌🏻✈️🥇

Today, we saw one of our Flight Staff Cadets (FSCs) complete their Advanced Gliding Training, achieving their RAFAC Gold Wings.

Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO) Jamie Orr, from 110 (City Of York) Squadron, Central & East Yorkshire Wing, has attended regularly for a number of months. He has shown dedication and commitment to his gliding training but has also been instrumental in supporting daily operations weekly, on the squadron. Today he completed all five required solos, completing the course.

Jamie will now go on to train towards becoming a graded pilot. Well done, from all the staff at 645 VGS, RAF Topcliffe!

2 Flying Training School
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Central & East Yorkshire Wing
110 (City of York) Sqn ATC

Photo: CWO Jamie Orr is presented his RAFAC Gold Wings from 645 VGS CFI, Flt Lt Andy Sweetmore.

🥈✈️🙌🏻 Saturdays Are For……Solos! 🙌🏻✈️🥈On Saturday, we saw another 645 VGS Flight Staff Cadet (FSC) fly an aircraft solo f...
01/02/2026

🥈✈️🙌🏻 Saturdays Are For……Solos! 🙌🏻✈️🥈

On Saturday, we saw another 645 VGS Flight Staff Cadet (FSC) fly an aircraft solo for the first time, achieving their RAFAC Silver Wings.

Cadet Flight Sergeant (FS) Will Kneeshaw, from 110 (City Of York) Squadron, Central & East Yorkshire Wing, has battled tough winter conditions in his quest to complete the course. He is yet another cadet who attends the squadron most weekends, giving up his time to assist the unit in getting our visiting cadets into the air! He will now begin the Advanced Gliding Training course with a view to achieving his RAFAC Gold Wings.

Well done on earning your RAFAC Silver Wings Will, hopefully you’ll remember this day for a very long time!

North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School
110 (City of York) Sqn ATC
Central & East Yorkshire Wing

Photo: FS Will Kneeshaw is presented with his RAFAC Silver Wings after his first solo, by 645 VGS Instructor Flt Lt Jordan Cameron.

🥇✈️🙌🏻 Flight Staff Cadet Strikes Gold At 645 VGS! 🙌🏻✈️🥇This weekend, we saw one of our Flight Staff Cadets (FSCs) comple...
01/02/2026

🥇✈️🙌🏻 Flight Staff Cadet Strikes Gold At 645 VGS! 🙌🏻✈️🥇

This weekend, we saw one of our Flight Staff Cadets (FSCs) complete their Advanced Gliding Training, achieving their RAFAC Gold Wings.

Cdt Sgt Isaac Sinclair, from 1027 (Jarrow) Squadron, Durham & Northumberland Wing, has attended regularly for a number of months. He has not only shown great progression in his gliding training, but has also been instrumental in supporting daily operations every weekend, on the squadron. Yesterday, he completed the last two of his five required solos and was awarded his wings.

Isaac will now go on to train towards becoming a graded pilot. Well done, from all the staff at 645 VGS, RAF Topcliffe!

2 Flying Training School
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Jarrow 1027 Squadron Hebburn
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets

Photo: Sgt Isaac Sinclair is presented his RAFAC Gold Wings by 645 VGS DCFI, Flt Lt Jordan Cameron.

🎉🙌🏻✈️ Congratulations To 645 VGS’s Newest G1! ✈️🙌🏻🎉This weekend saw Sgt Jordan Eastwood achieving his Grade 1 (G1) award...
25/01/2026

🎉🙌🏻✈️ Congratulations To 645 VGS’s Newest G1! ✈️🙌🏻🎉

This weekend saw Sgt Jordan Eastwood achieving his Grade 1 (G1) award.

Sgt Eastwood joined 645 VGS in early 2023 as a service instructor. He is currently based at RAF Flylingdales with No 2 Space Warning Sqn and qualified last month as a Crew Chief. Through determination, perseverance and hard work, Sgt Eastwood will now deliver training to our visiting cadets, on gliding induction flights.

Congratulations Sgt Eastwood, from all your colleagues at 645 VGS, RAF Topcliffe!

2 Flying Training School
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

Photo: 645 VGS Instructor Flt Lt Nigel Gamble congratulates Sgt Jordan Eastwood following a successful G1 check flight.

Address

RAF Topcliffe
Thirsk
YO73ED

Opening Hours

Friday 6:30pm - 10pm
Saturday 8:30am - 10pm
Sunday 8:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+441845595345

Website

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