On Saturday 23rd September, 4 cadets from 211 Squadron attended a Gliding Induction Course at RAF Abingdon, the home of 612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron.

The cadets, Thomas Small, James Inwood-Allen, Gemma Nash & Alika Bates, all had 25 minutes sorties in the skies over the Thames Valley. For several this was their first time Gliding; Cdt Bates, who got the opportunity to go gliding after a fellow cadet dropped out, said “It was still really good and i will do it again - i will make sure i will”.

Cadet Small, who was experiencing his third gliding sortie, and is looking forward to taking up the challenge of a Gliding Scholarship in April next year, said his flight was as exhilarating as his first – and can’t wait to go solo!

Meanwhile, Cadet Andrew Penna, who is currently undergoing a Gliding Scholarship at the VGS was also on hand to help the cadets – and managed to accumulate several hours towards his GS.

The cadets were accompanied by Flying Officer Chris Tocher, a Category B Instructor at 612VGS, and Newbury Squadrons Training Officer and Civilian Instructor Tim Burgess.