Volunteer Gliding Squadron

In 1955, RAF Flying Training Command took over the responsibility, and amalgamated them into twenty-seven Gliding Schools under Headquarters Air Cadets.

At the same time, the Gliding Schools were all renumbered with three-digit numbers, the first two digits being the parent Home Command Group (Nos.

The CGS is commanded by a Royal Air Force Squadron Leader, who also acts as OC Flying for RAF Syerston.

The examiners of the CGS are Flight Lieutenant Royal Air Force Reserve (RAFR) and Squadron Leader RAFR officers, however all future appointments shall be Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) RAFVR(T) commissions.

The first examples were delivered to the Air Cadet Central Gliding School (ACCGS) at RAF Syerston in time for the new Instructors' courses to take place.

Instructors from this unit were converted to the new training syllabus, and began flying the type during July and August of that year.

After the initial ten were delivered, Alexander Schleicher was unwilling to open a production line for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), as they did not want to sideline their civilian market.

In 1991, the Venture TX2 was replaced with the Grob G-109B motor glider, Royal Air Force name Vigilant T1.

In 2000, Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) Chief of Staff (COS) Group Captain Mike Cross announced the sale of the Valiant TX1 and Kestrel TX1 fleets.

This concluded the RAF's many successful years competing in national gliding competitions and setting world records.

In 2005, following a decision by the Royal Air Force Board, they were again renamed Volunteer Gliding Squadrons, thus keeping their VGS abbreviation.

[7] In March 2016, a major restructuring of Air Cadet gliding and flying was announced,[8] resulting in the disbanding of fourteen Volunteer Gliding Squadrons, significant reduction of the Vigilant motor glider, a regional focus of remaining Viking squadrons, and an increase in Tutor Air Experience Flight (AEF) flying.

[citation needed] A review of the Defence Estate, published in November 2016, confirmed the disbandments announced in March, and gave estimated dates for disposal of several sites.

Personnel must attain a B1 Category QGI rating before qualifying for a Cadet Forces Commission for an intended appointment.

FSCs do not act as a substitute for VGS adult personnel, primarily providing ground support to the squadrons.