In the latest turn of events it seems that just turning up for a weekend, flying a flight simulator a few times and doing a trial flight gets you ‘Blue Wings’ now. What happened to proper goals that people had to work hard to achieve?
As the age for going solo in civilian clubs is now 14 would a cadet of this age be considered for Glider Pilot wings?
(There was a item in the local TV news some time ago about a lad who went solo on his 14th birthday, having done his training over many years previously so he had more experience than virtually all solo cadets would get being tought to fly one solo circuit. (His dad happened to be the Chief Flying Instructor at the club!))
May I informally ask, please; what the updated collective informed opinion on this:
- if an individual Cadet fully-completes a privately-funded/scholarship gliding course at a BGA-registered club in their own time, all logbooked and up to & including solo control, are they entitled to apply for / wear an Air Cadets gliding wings badge?
Or not?
(And if they are, what wings / brevet is worn?)
ACTO 32
- Cadets who have completed a solo sortie through a gliding scholarship provided by external organisation or alternatively through self-funded tuition may apply and be considered for issue of RAFAC Civilian ‘C’ Wings. 2FTS SO2 CAPE will consider each case on its merits. As these particular scholarships are provided by non-public funds, cadets are responsible for the cost of travel between their home and the training provider and will not be eligible for the issue of a travel warrant.
Thanks! I think that route had been followed previously (as far as I remember, to no constructive outcome in early process: however, I might be wrong on that, and/or perhaps it needs to be tried again).
Two other points:
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I had thought that ‘civilian’ C-wings were something that Cadets could apply for who had independantly-achieved powered solo via NPPL or PPL. Is it exactly the same brevet then (in principle) for non-RAFAC solo standard obtained via any form of flight?
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(Maybe this exists, and I just don’t know where to look: in fact, surely it must exist?). A single-page definitive up-to-date poster resource that visually-summarises ALL current RAFAC flying & gliding brevets (including PTT ones, for completeness). And gliding instructor wings too.
In fact, if such a document doesn’t exist, it probably should include all current and legacy RAF flying brevets as well.
A sudden thought…now that the RAF has got rid of all flying brevets apart from full wings and half-wings (ie the two pilot types and these generic WESO/Op brevets) thus relegating all these previous legacy specialist half-wings to the history books (I mean the versions such as N, LM, AT, AE etc) and also dispensed with those short-lived RPAS brevets…there must surely be vastly-more different varieties of flying & gliding brevets in RAFAC than there is in the RAF?
discussed here
the Cadet in question here - Maksim Ferguson becomes youngest person to receive RAF wings at 14 - YouTube
and receiving his Wings
(ok so this is solo powered aircraft rather than solo glider as per your example, but shows it can and is being done)
A scenario for you…
If a cadet goes and completes a Civilian gliding course. And gains their C Wings…
Then goes and completes their Flying Scholarship through a Civilian organisation… do they wear Two sets of C Wings, or just the one?
Just the one I believe
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personally i would hope one
wearing two of the same badge it pointless - and yes i get that by implication it would show that both courses have been completed, but the badges recognises an effort made outside the organisation, i don’t see the need to multiple that
Apply through your WAvnO or RAvnO. It should be working; it definitely is for most regions.
About two years ago I got fed up of waiting for a set of Civvie Wings so emailed a bunch of folks at the top of 2FTS… The replies were all lovely, and I got a set of civvie wings in the post for my cadet after emailing a scan of the logbook.
About 10 days later a blanket email about using the CoC came down, it was like a region wide telling off especially for me! 
But I was just a well meaning CI at the time! 
On a different note, I notice that the adult staff attached to a VGS get to wear wings on their blues (only ever seen one instructor in blue, and he had proper queens wings on his uniform so assume this is the case and he wasn’t just being a rebel)… What about uniform staff that hold civvie wings, either PPL through to commercial!?
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There is nothing for staff outside of VGS/AEF
But mere scum who deserve no recognition of flying skill, ability, or knowledge… even in an aviation related youth organisation!
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Why should RAF uniform recognise non-RAF/Armed Forces qualifications?
Because we are constantly told that civilian expertise should be recognised and are useful to the Corps and they are keen to recognise this experience…? And the organisation recognises us as volunteers… And flying opportunities and getting on a VGS is almost impossible… And why would an organisation thats USP is flying, not recognise members that can actually fly?
Why recognise cadet achievement in flying outside the organisation/RAF?
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Plus how else do I let everyone know I’m a pilot! I’ve been in quarantine so I’ve had no-one to tell!
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Because then the uber skygods in their Viking gliders wouldnt be so special with their brevets and flight suits.
2/6 FTS would never allow it.
‘Diminishes their god like status’
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Out of curiosity… what badges would you have for staff?
Blue for PPL.
Bronze for CPL.
Silver for ATPL.
Gold for sky god Captain and or TRE?
I’m joking btw.
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Something can be recognised without being emblazoned on your person.
And it’s not that I’m a bitter ex-blunty who never got a badge. Honest.
I’m sure you’ve got a watch 6x bigger than your head and a coordinated pair of snazzy sunglasses 
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The watch, fair enough, but leave the sunglasses out of this! 