The RAF Central Gliding School Instructor Training Team (CGS Team) provides training and standardisation for all Qualified Gliding Instructors (QGIs) across 10 Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGS), throughout the UK, comprising c.240 QGIs and Graded Pilots who deliver gliding for the RAF Air Cadets. These QGIs are all volunteers, and so providing instruction and standardisation needs to fit in with their normal lives. The CGS Team delivers the highest quality instruction every week at RAF Syerston, but a substantial proportion of training also takes place at weekends and in the evenings.

RAF Air Cadet gliding took a significant step back in April 2014, when a pause in flying took place due to airworthiness concerns. The Team did not fly for 6 months. Having overcome issues with their own currency and competency, they had to re-vitalise the core flying and instructional skills of the volunteers, some of whom had not flown for several years. As each VGS stood back up, the CGS Team spent several months on location to support the completion of a bespoke Return to Flying training package. They approached this task with professionalism, tenacity and considerable enthusiasm.

This challenge was exacerbated by the fact that many of the more senior volunteer QGIs had left the organisation during the Glider Pause, leaving some significant gaps in experience and supervision. This has meant that, even after completing the Return to Flying, the CGS Team have had to provide additional supervisory support at the weekends to some of the VGS. Additionally, over the Glider Pause, morale had suffered enormously. The CGS Team not only had to ensure that the VGS QGIs were current and competent, but they also had to rekindle the enthusiasm of the volunteers.

Just when it looked like they were getting ahead, the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions generated another cessation in gliding. The CGS Team took this in their stride and re-energised each VGS as soon as they were permitted to do so. They also took this opportunity to develop some outstanding online training courses, several of which have been replicated by the MAA Centre of Air Safety Training.

The last squadron (611 VGS at RAF Honington) stood up in February 2023. At weekends the CGS Team is currently operating between there, and 626 VGS (Predannack in Cornwall), as well as sustaining weekday courses at RAF Syerston, and back-filling on other units (such as 661 VGS, RAF Kirknewton, near Edinburgh). This remarkable support has enabled over 2,500 Air Cadets to be safely launched skywards in 2022/23 and put the foundations in place to double that number in the coming year.

Despite all challenges, CGS has consistently been awarded the highest grade of ‘Excellent’ for ‘Flying Instruction and for Pure Flying’ on their annual CFS standardisation visits. Indeed, 50% of the Team hold an A1 Category as ‘Exceptional’ Instructors. For their outstanding contribution to Gliding training for the RAF Air Cadets, the RAF Central Gliding School Team is awarded the Central Flying School Trophy.

2005/06  Captain Derek Jones

2006/07  Sqn Ldr Anthony N Clements

2007/08  Sqn Ldr Peter Howlett

2008/09  Hawk Synthetic Training Facility RAF Valley

2009/10  Sqn Ldr Selwyn Williams

2010/11  Captain Dieter Harms

2011/12  Alexander John Hurrell BA cfs

2012/13  The Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU) RAF Valley

2013/14  Ian Douglas Fogarty AFC qfi

2014/15  Royal Air Force Puma HC2 Aircrew Training Team

2016   Tayside Aviation Ltd

2017  Wg Cdr Harry Palmer

2018  awarded twice:
      Sqn Ldr John Benson-Cooper RNZAF
      653 Sqn ACC

2019  673 Sqn ACC

2020  Lt Cdr David Westley RN

2021  Flt Lt James Hobkirk RAF

2022  Master Aircrew Stephen Duncan

2023  RAF Central Gliding School Instructor Training Team