Being a Flight Staff Cadet (FSC) and Training

The majority off staff at 633VGS started flying with a VGS and most were Staff Cadets.

Having completed a Gliding Scholarship to solo standard and having been recommended for advanced training, you will have an interview firstly with the Senior or Deputy Flight Staff Cadet. This is then followed by another interview with either the CO, CFI, Adjutant, Deputy Adjutant or a combination of the four.

If successful you are then selected to join the Squadron on a 3 month probationary period. This is to test your commitment, and once completed you will then start your AGT training. You will either be at 633 on a Saturday or a Sunday (your preference). You will be taught everything you need o know, however, most skills are 'learnt on the job'.

FSCs are expected to attend most, if not all weekends and have a high level of commitment and dedication to the tasks they are asked to carry out. If you are going to be absent, you must inform the Senior FSC and arrange cover for your day. However, the more days you do, the better your chances of flying are.

Staff Cadets are the unsung heroes and they complete many of the background duties, such as:

• Briefing visiting staff and cadets
• Daily Inspection of Parachutes
• Daily inspection of Land Rovers
• Assisting with aircraft servicing
• Carrying out the Met Brief
• Setting up the Caravan for the days flying
• Cleaning of aircraft and canopies
• Assisting with ground handling of Aircraft
• Strapping in of GIC cadets
• Helping to refuel the aircraft
• Cleaning of the caravan and aircraft at the end of flying
• Ensuring hangar and HQ building are clean
• Ensuring Instructors and visitors and kept topped up with tea and coffee !

Pictures Of Staff Cadets At Work

After all the above and more are complete then you will take to the skies and continue your training to AGT standard. After successful completion you will be awarded the Gold Wings.

Having completed the AGT, the VGS considers whether or not you should continue onto training as a G2 pilot.

After AGT the staff cadet gains experience by further training and flying solo and eventually gaining a G2 status. This consists of a minimum of 12 hours instruction and 3 hours solo. After this period a G2 check is completed by the OC or CFI and if successful a G2 is awarded. 

Further training continues to G1 standards where a further 10 hours instruction and 5 hours solo minimum must be completed. Another successful check ride with the OC or CFI and a G1 can be awarded. This entitles the G1 to teach cadets the GIC syllabus and carry passengers Familiarisation flights. It also entitles them to wear the Glider Pilot Wings.

Further training can continue to become a C Cat Instructor and teach cadets the GS course.

So if you believe that the above is for you, make sure that you firstly apply to go on a Gliding Scholarship and then take it from there. If you have completed a GS to solo standard and are interested in becoming a FSC, please contact the VGS via the telephone number in your ATC Sqn's copy of the Wing Location List. Your Commanding Officer should be able to help you find this.

Being a Staff Cadet is hard and tiring work, but beyond that an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Not only will you develop and learn new skills, there is also a great social side to being a Staff Cadet at 633VGS. Being a FSC is the pinnacle of any cadets ATC career and possibly one of the best positions you can achieve. So, have YOU got what it takes…?

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