VIGILANT RETURNS TO SKIES OVER TOPCLIFFE.

On Saturday 17th September 2016 the Grob Vigilant of 645 VGS at RAF Topcliffe took to the skies again.

In April 2014 the decision was made to pause all Air Cadet gliding throughout the organisation. This was a difficult decision made in order future proof Air cadet gliding, safeguard its future and to ensure the air worthiness of the fleet. Since then work has been ongoing in the background to get the fleet back in the air and the squadron has been under the guidance of No2 flying training school (2FTS).

Today marked one of the biggest steps towards recovering Air Cadet Gliding and at Midday on Saturday 17th September 2016 ZH207 crewed by Flt Lt Dave Smith (CGS) and Flt Lt Anton Murfin (645VGS) took off and climbed up into the beautiful blue sky marking the start or Flying again at RAF Topcliffe.

Although this is the start of flying training again at 645VGS it is very much the first hurdle and is aimed at getting all of the instructors current again and ensuring a safe operating environment and ensure the unit is operating to a required standard. This is being done under the supervision and guidance of Instructors from 2FTS. Once this is complete 645 VGS will be handed over to its own executive team ready to fly cadets in the near future.

It is fantastic to see the Vigilants operating out of their home base again and is what every member of the squadron has been looking forward to seeing.We will keep you posted with future progress as and when we can, We are very much looking forward to being able to operate under our own steam again and welcoming cadets through our doors once again.

Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGSs) are Royal Air Force Flying Training units, operating military Viking TX.1(conventional) and Vigilant T.1 (motor) gliders to train cadets from the Royal Air Force Air Cadets and the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force.

VGSs are made up of volunteer staff. Each is headed by a Commanding Officer and several executives, all of whom are commissioned into the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Instructors comprise a mixture of regular RAF/RN/Army personnel, Reservists, Civilian Gliding Instructors (CGIs) and Flight Staff Cadets (FSCs).

Flt Lt Aaron O'Roarty Media communications officer 645 VGS