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18th Jun 2013

Gliding Bug Bites

Cadets from 134(Bedford) Squadron took to skies with the Four Counties Gliding Club at RAF Wittering on Saturday 8 June 2013. Cadet Corporal Leonie Gomes (15) Cadets Rhys Barton (13), Locksley Bradley (13), Joshua Purcell (16), Kieran Allgar (14) and Levi Jack (14) enjoyed a chilly day’s gliding. Altogether they achieved a total of 129 minutes of circuits and soaring, each experiencing two launches.

During the day, the cadets where shown many of the operational aspects of connecting the winch cable, maintaining level wings whilst launching, learning the signals required for launching gliders into the skies and of post landing recovery.

For Cadets Jack and Bradley, this was their first ever flight in a glider and both thoroughly enjoyed the experience and have been bitten by the Gliding Bug. Cadet Jack said, “The flights were tremendous. I will never forget the first rush as the winch towed the glider up to altitude, then the pilot dipping the nose to release the towing cable, to be followed by almost silence as we tried to find a thermal. I was even allowed to fly the glider and I can’t wait to go up again. When I’m old enough I would like to go on and gain my gliding wings.”

CI Vladek Cirin, Training Officer (Air) said, "This was a good introductory day. Although the poor thermal weather conditions precluded soaring, they were able to learn the basics of controlling the glider. The cadets enhanced their knowledge and experience that would stand them in good stead when they go on to gain the gliding awards recognised by the Corps."