Flying & Gliding
Did you know that Air Cadets can fly solo in powered aircraft a year before they can apply for a UK Driving Licence?
Flying is without a doubt at the heart of Air Cadet activities and many thousands of flying slots are taken up each year by cadets. Cadets from 2180 Squadron usually fly from RAF Leuchars which is a frontline fighter base. In addition any time we attend a camp we are very likey to fly
Tutor 12AEF RAF Kinloss Det 2006
Flying in the Air Cadets is not like flying in a commercial aircraft - we don't sit looking out of the window for hours at a time. Air Cadets are equipped with standard RAF flying kit , fly in aircraft with RAF markings and will take control of the aircraft in the air.
Cockpit Grob115e Tutor T1 -G-CGKI 12 AEF RAF Leuchars
As an Air cadet YOU will take control of the aircraft , YOU will pilot it and YOU will undertake a range of manoeuvers in the air
Air Experience Flying - 12 Air Experience Flight (AEF) at RAF Leuchars flies the Grob Tutor T1 and we are given at least 20+ flying slots every year. In addition we fly with the localy based AEF when we go on summer camp.
12 AEF RAF Leuchars
A couple of years agoat RAF Kinloss one cadet from 2180 flew in the Tutor on four occassions over three days! Another Cadet did a six hour trip in a NImrod, flew in a Tutor and a Vigilant Glider.
At RAF Aldergrove in 2008 Cadets flew in the Puma, Islander, Tutor and the Vigilant Glider at Newtonards - all in one week.
At RAF Lyneham in 2009 Cadets and Staff flew in the C130 Hecules C3 and the newer C5
Gliding Induction Course
The GIC consists of three levels of instruction. On your first visit you'll be taught the GIC 1. Later visits will cover GIC 2 and 3. In these levels you'll learn all about aerodynamics and controlling the aircraft, first in a classroom, then taking control and practicing what you've learned in the air. After you've completed the course, you'll be awarded a GIC certificate.
Gliding Scholarship
This course gets you deeper into flying and gives you more flight time. To be nominated for a Gliding Scholarship (GS) just let your squadron or unit staff know you want in. It's open to anyone over 16 and you're not required to have completed a GIC 1, 2 or 3, but it's great if you have. Once you pass the standard medical check, it's just a matter of waiting for a place on the course to become available.
Flying Scholarship
There are several scholarships available to air cadets each year. These are sponsored by the Royal Aero Club, the Air League Educational Trust, the RAF Charitable Trust, the Geoffrey DeHaviland Foundation, Babcock Defence Services, RAFA and the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators.
For many cadets these courses are the stepping stone to their PPL - Private Pilots’ Licence - and potentially a career as a pilot with the RAF, the Royal Navy, Army or commercial airlines.
Overseas Flight - Occasionally opportunities arise for cadets to undertake an Overseas Flight. RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and back again in one day is the trip usually flown by Cadets. Joining the scheduled RAF flight on Saturday mornings Cadets act as supernumery aircrew and sit in the jump seat in the cockpit of the 10 Squadron VC10 that flies the route.
ICWO 2180 Sq at RAF Akrotiri
Air Opportunity Flying
Just what it says - sometimes opportunities to fly in operational aircraft occur and we grab them !
2180 cadet in 202 Sq Seaking
Cadets boarding the Seaking at LZ1
Air Opportunity Flying - RAF Akrotiri
84 Squadron Flight Line RAF Akrotiri
Yup that is the ground down there!