612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron

10/04/2026

A huge well done to CWO Luke Hambridge who passed his B2 gliding instructor qualification today. This means that Luke can now teach other cadets on their Gliding Scholarship course.

Congratulations Luke!

04/10/2025

Congratulations to CWO James Nicholas who has been awarded the Dacre Sword. This award recognises James as the best cadet in the ATC this year.

James is a Flight Staff Cadet with 612 VGS as well as supporting cadets in his wing as a Qualified Aerospace Instructor. He also recently represented the UK in Australia on the International Air Cadet Exchange.

Looking forwards, James is shortly to commence a career in aviation having been awarded a British Airways Speedbird Scholarship.

23/08/2025

Today saw the completion of our highly successful August course. The team worked through some hot and challenging flying conditions to deliver a phenomenal 448 launches and almost 45 hours flying. Five cadets completed their first solos, and a further three were awarded their bronze wings on the completion of the Gliding Scholarship syllabus.

During the week we also received a visit from Air Cdre Woods, Air Officer Wales, and Honorary Air Cdre Sujatha Thaladi who joined us to see what we do, presenting two of our first solo students with their wings.

There’s more detail on our week at https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/news/wings-awarded-as-612-vgs-resumes-residential-gliding-scholarships/

A huge thanks to the whole team for taking time out to deliver a fantastic weeks flying for the cadets!

17/08/2025

Well done to Sgt Joanna Graham who earned her Grade 1 qualification this weekend!

After completing a rigorous training programme, Joanna can now fly our visiting cadets delivering their Gliding Induction Flights and the start of the Gliding Scholarship syllabus.

Congratulations Joanna!

15/08/2025

A huge congratulations to Sgt Will Martin who completed his B1 at RAF Syerston.

Will has spent the week flying with Central Gliding Squadron, demonstrating his instructing skills and theory knowledge. He is now able to teach cadets the Advanced Gliding Training syllabus as well as to train our junior staff team. An awesome achievement!

28/07/2025

The 612 team have seen a busy couple of weeks with a number of the team gaining new qualifications including a new B2 instructor and 2 new Grade One pilots and a first solo. Congratulations to everyone!

FSC James Nicholas completed his first solo, completing his Gliding Scholarship course. A huge step in his aviation career!

Sgt Zoe King was awarded her B2 instructors qualification after an intensive week of training with Central Gliding Squadron at RAF Syerston. This allows her to now teach RAF Air Cadets on their Gliding Scholarship courses.

CGI Mike Standen and Sgt Matt Smyth have both earned their Grade 1 pilot qualifications. This means that both train cadets on their Gliding Induction Flights.

Finally, Flt Lt Luke Short has been awarded his bar to his long service medal. Recognition for the years of dedicated cadet flying.

27/06/2025

A huge congratulations to our newest B1, Plt Off Matt Bartlett.

Matt was awarded his B1 category instructors qualification after a week’s intensive flying at RAF Syerston followed by a challenging standardisation flight with CFS. The award demonstrates Matt’s skills as an instructor and allows him to now train our junior staff as they progress onto their advanced training and beyond.

Well done Matt!

22/06/2025

Saturday saw the 612 team deliver a massive 88 Gliding Induction Flights to cadets as part of Exercise Long Barrow - a GIF focused day.

Cadets from Bristol and Gloucester, West Mercia, Thames Valley, No 1 Welsh, No 3 Welsh, Warwickshire and Birmingham and Dorset and Wilts Wings, as well as the Combined Cadet Force, all joined the RAF Little Rissington team for their introductory flights.

Well done to the dedicated team for battling some challenging weather to get all the cadets in the air on a fantastic day!

05/05/2025

612 had a great weekend, flying 50 cadets as well as delivering some staff training over our first field weekend of the year!

A fantastic achievement for the team and a fantastic opportunity for our visiting cadets from 150 (City of Oxford), 372 (Barry), 1092 (Bridgend), 1146 (Barnstaple), 1365 (Aylesbury), 1460 (Banbury), 1563 (Buckingham), 2300 (St Athan), 2410 (Didcot), 2469 (Exeter St Thomas) and 2532 (Milton Keynes) Squadrons.

21/04/2025

Easter saw the successful completion of 612's first residential course since the squadron reformed in December 2024.

Despite very challenging weather conditions, Sgt Kennedy of Vine School CCF, FS Davidson of Elizabeth College CCF and Sgt Kerslake of 1606 (Weymouth) Squadron were all awarded their Bronze Wings by our new OC, Sqn Ldr Peter Dempsey. Congratulations to all three!

02/01/2017

02/01/2017

A bit late but the photos from the August flag lowering are at https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Fapp.box.com%2Fs%2F09tl25pi6re3uzv39tjjmes0onxc8yzn

https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Fapp.box.com%2Fs%2F09tl25pi6re3uzv39tjjmes0onxc8yzn