Within the Air Training Corp, gliding is provided by ‘VGS’ Volunteer Gliding Squadrons. These, as the name suggests, are run by volunteers who give up their time to fly as many cadets as possible. The ‘VGS’ fly at the weekends and operate all year round.

Cadets begin their gliding by attending a Gliding Introduction Course at one of the gliding squadrons. Here cadets learn the basic concepts of flight before taking to the skies for the first time. Regular allocations mean that cadets have plenty of opportunities to glide throughout the year.

Once the cadets reach the age of 16, they can take their gliding to the next level by applying for a Gliding Scholarship. Successful applicants will be trained over the course of 25 - 45 launches leading to the cadet’s first solo flight.

After successful completion of the Gliding Scholarship, cadets can undertake Advanced Glider Training consisting of a further 10 dual and 5 solo flights.

Thurston cadets fly at VGS 611 based at Watton Airfield.