Volunteer Gliding Instructors
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Volunteer Gliding Instructors
I've been looking at the VGS website and i can't find any info on requirements for Instructors.
I would appreciate any info on this subject
Capt. manuvar
I would appreciate any info on this subject
Capt. manuvar
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Hi,
Most people with a PPL start with what is essentially a convex to the Vigilant, then they get awarded a 'G1'. This means you can take cadets up for air experience types trips (called Gliding Induction Courses now). Time to G1 can vary, but I got mine after 8hrs dual.
Instructor categories start at C, then go up through B, A2 etc... To get started and get a C cat you need to do a weeks course at ACCGS Syerston. If you have a PPL you can go for this after min 15hrs P1 as a G1, but I would suggest you need about 20/30 at least to be fully comfortable with the ac / operation. If you are a service pilot / QFI there are some concessions, but everyone will generally have to go and do the Syerston courses and start as a C cat then work up from there.
Most important thing you need though is commitment!! VGS flying means long days, mucking in with engineering, fuelling etc... but you get really rewarding flying and potential for lots of hours.
Any more questions, please feel free to ask.
Cheers,
Blagger
Most people with a PPL start with what is essentially a convex to the Vigilant, then they get awarded a 'G1'. This means you can take cadets up for air experience types trips (called Gliding Induction Courses now). Time to G1 can vary, but I got mine after 8hrs dual.
Instructor categories start at C, then go up through B, A2 etc... To get started and get a C cat you need to do a weeks course at ACCGS Syerston. If you have a PPL you can go for this after min 15hrs P1 as a G1, but I would suggest you need about 20/30 at least to be fully comfortable with the ac / operation. If you are a service pilot / QFI there are some concessions, but everyone will generally have to go and do the Syerston courses and start as a C cat then work up from there.
Most important thing you need though is commitment!! VGS flying means long days, mucking in with engineering, fuelling etc... but you get really rewarding flying and potential for lots of hours.
Any more questions, please feel free to ask.
Cheers,
Blagger
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Be careful CM, I spent 7 years at a VGS and the third paragraph above is the one to watch out for. It depends on which school you are at but if you join, don't expect to do anything at the weekends in the future. The school I helped out (in the far North) expected you to turn up for 7 weekend days out of 8 every month. Great if you have no other life - but it got to me.
Flying is OK, great for hours building if that's your thing but not very varied (and very little chance of doing your own thing).
I don't wish to put you off, just want to give you the facts.
T&G
Flying is OK, great for hours building if that's your thing but not very varied (and very little chance of doing your own thing).
I don't wish to put you off, just want to give you the facts.
T&G
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Capt. M,
the comments posted above allude to life on a VGS. Don't forget that not all gliding Schools operate the Grob 109 (Vigilant) motor glider, plenty more operate the Grob 103 (Viking) winch launch conventional glider. I have been gliding for 22 years now on and off, 8 of them more recently for a VGS and I can tell you that T&G's comments are broadly true, lots of commitment with little in the way of satisfying flying, but if that's your bag then fine.
The organisation has fine values and offers much to the kids but if you are serious just beware of what is expected of you. Best thing you can do is contact HQ Air Cadets at RAF Cranwell and ask for Gliding Liaison 1 or 2(GL1/2) who will be only to happy to guide you.
Not all VGS instructors have PPLs, I don't, and the school will teach you from scratch if they feel that you are giving them the commitment they want, well they do on a real VGS!
the comments posted above allude to life on a VGS. Don't forget that not all gliding Schools operate the Grob 109 (Vigilant) motor glider, plenty more operate the Grob 103 (Viking) winch launch conventional glider. I have been gliding for 22 years now on and off, 8 of them more recently for a VGS and I can tell you that T&G's comments are broadly true, lots of commitment with little in the way of satisfying flying, but if that's your bag then fine.
The organisation has fine values and offers much to the kids but if you are serious just beware of what is expected of you. Best thing you can do is contact HQ Air Cadets at RAF Cranwell and ask for Gliding Liaison 1 or 2(GL1/2) who will be only to happy to guide you.
Not all VGS instructors have PPLs, I don't, and the school will teach you from scratch if they feel that you are giving them the commitment they want, well they do on a real VGS!
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To lead on from DH98, A real (Viking) VGS does not require any experience - just lots of commitment. They will teach you from GS (Gliding Scholarship – First Solo) up to AGT (Advanced Glider Training – 5 further solos) then G2/G1 standard. From then you will be able to take passengers and build up you hours/launches.
Once you have completed around 300 launches (when I left) you can go forward for your C Cat instructor grade, at RAF Syerston. That allows you to teach GS. From then on you have as blagger described B, A2/A1 instructor grades.
Be aware though that conventional flying take a lot longer to get up to standard as it is mostly based on launches rather than hours. A standard trip is between 4 to 10 minutes.
I was based at a Viking school for around 5 years. What they really want is commitment as it takes a lot of time and effort to train instructors from first principles.
Once you have completed around 300 launches (when I left) you can go forward for your C Cat instructor grade, at RAF Syerston. That allows you to teach GS. From then on you have as blagger described B, A2/A1 instructor grades.
Be aware though that conventional flying take a lot longer to get up to standard as it is mostly based on launches rather than hours. A standard trip is between 4 to 10 minutes.
I was based at a Viking school for around 5 years. What they really want is commitment as it takes a lot of time and effort to train instructors from first principles.
