Shown here is a brief summary of the entitlements of each grade. Don’t forget that a large amount of training takes place between grades both in the air and on the ground.

 

Grade 2 Pilot

This grade allows a Flight Staff Cadet who has achieved Advanced Glider Training or a new adult instructor to qualify for a formal pilot grade.

On successful award of Grade 2, a pilot may fly solo out of circuit in accordance with their training and completing any necessary

check ride sorties.
 

Grade 1 Pilot

This grade allows Grade 2 Pilots to qualify to provide familiarization and Gliding Induction Course training to cadets at their Volunteer Gliding Squadron.

On successful award of Grade 1 the pilot is cleared to fly the aircraft as commander in either seat, conduct familiarization sorties and teach the Gliding Induction Course syllabus.

B2 Category Instructor

Successful completion of the B2 Category Course at 2 FTS Central Gliding School (CGS) qualifies a member of staff as a Qualified Gliding Instructor on probation at their Squadron.

On completion of this award the B2 Category Instructor may teach all Gliding Induction Course and Gliding Scholarship exercises for which he or she is cleared and conduct the necessary ground lessons.

 

B1 Category Instructor

 

On successful completion of this course at 2FTS CGS the instructor is awarded a B1 Category whereby he or she is regarded as a competent gliding instructor. This allows the instructor to perform additional duties.

The instructor may now also conduct Advanced Glider Training sorties, perform solo checks for subsequent trainee solo flights and carry out certain training for graded and ungraded pilots.

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A2* Category Instructor

 

This category acknowledges an instructor as above average. It allows the instructor to perform first solo flight checks and complete test flights following scheduled maintenance.

A1 Category Instructor

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This category currently has no additional privileges except the knowledge that the instructor has completed the highest award possible and is regarded as an exceptional Qualified Gliding Instructor.

 

Gliding Authorisation Course (GLAC)

This course enable B1 - A1 Category Instructors to hold an executive post, act as Duty Instructor and the Gliding Squadron Duty Executive (GSDE).

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Senior Supervisor’s Course (*)

This course qualifies A Category Instructors for the responsibilities of Flying Supervisor and Specialist Executive Duties at their squadron. This qualification is recognised by a star suffix to an instructor’s category.

It allows instructors to conduct certain additional tests and supervise the flying standards of all other staff.

Navigation Instructors Course (NIC)

This course allows instructors to teach Map Appreciation and Basic Pilot Navigation to squadron staff.

Completion of this course allows instructors to fly approved navigation routes at their squadron, teach navigation and makes them eligible to become the Unit Navigation Officer (UNO).

Transit Qualification (TQ)

This course allows B Category Instructors and above to safely navigate visually at medium level, in order to ferry aircraft from one location to another.

Basic Navigation Course (BNC)

The aim of this course is to introduce pilots to visual medium level navigation. Using service techniques pilots are taught Basic Navigation Ground School including Mental Dead Reckoning. By the end of the course the pilot will be competent to fly the motor glider around a closed navigation circuit.