645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron

A cadet enjoying thermalling with another glider on their Gliding Induction Flight at RAF Topcliffe.

Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO) Jamie Orr, from 110 (City Of York) Squadron, Central & East Yorkshire Wing yesterday flew five solos to complete the Advanced Glider Training course attaining his RAFAC Gold Wings.

FS Will Kneeshaw is presented with his RAFAC Silver Wings after his first solo at RAF Topcliffe by 645 VGS Instructor Flt Lt Jordan Cameron.

Sgt Isaac Sinclair is presented his RAFAC Gold Wings by 645 VGS DCFI Flt Lt Jordan Cameron for completing their Advanced Gliding Training.

Today saw the first Gliding Schoalrship solo of the new year, with a cadet achieving their RAFAC Silver Wings. CWO James Vasey, from 1313 (Whickham) Squadron, Durham & Northumberland Wing flew an excellent solo.

Merry Christmas everyone!

👨‍✈️✈️ From Gliding Induction Course…To Commercial Pilot! ✈️👨‍✈️ Recently one of our instructors, Fg Off Dan Griffin, qualified as a Commercial Pilot. This follows months of hard work, dedication and commitment which will shortly result in Dan turning a hobby into a career.

@RAF_Luton Ex 645VGS staff cadet Odiham Kenobi popped into RAF Topcliffe yesterday to show off his new Tesla SUV.

Fact of the Day: The Merlin helicopter is so light (it weighs just 717.5 lbs) it can land on tree tops to save space on busy runways. Tree tops also provide a softer landing area for pilots who aren't yet trained in how to land Photographed from a Canberra

We had a visitor at RAF Topcliffe yesterday from 18 Sqn RAF Odiham!

@RAF_Luton We keep ours in a large aviary where they can hang out together so they are nicknamed hangers.

Fact of the Day: Typhoon EF2000s made by the Eurovision consortium are the only fighter jet known to be stolen and sold to private collectors on the black market, many private owners clip their wings so they cannot fly away. Photographed from a Canberra

Engineering excellence.

Cdt Sgt Ravi Frady 886 (City Of Ripon) Sqn, has attended 645 VGS for a number of weekends on his Gliding Scholarship. The wild Yorkshire weather cleared on Sunday allowing him to fly his first solo at RAF Topcliffe. Well done on earning your RAFAC Silver Wings Ravi.

Cdt FS Ben McDonald, from 2527 (Lawnswood) Sqn completed his Gliding Scholarship by flying solo last weekend. As one of our Flight Staff Cadets, it doesn’t stop there. He will continue his training with a view to becoming an instructor at 645VGS. Congratulations Ben!

Sqn Ldr Aaron O’Roarty has been awarded his B2 Category. This enables him to deliver training to our visiting Gliding Scholarship cadets, taking them all the way towards solo standard.

After an intense week of flying with our colleagues at Central Gliding Squadron of RAF Syerston, CGI Nathan Jessop has been awarded his B2 Category. This enables him to deliver training to our visiting Gliding Scholarship cadets, taking them all the way towards solo standard.

If you’re 15.5 years old and want to kick start your flying career by joining us for a Gliding Scholarship, contact your OC/WAVO to apply. These opportunities are available to you too!

Last weekend, we saw yet another cadet fly solo for the first time and achieve their RAFAC Silver Wings. Cdt Flt Sgt Emily Creaser, from 1869 (Middlesbrough) Squadron, Central and East Yorkshire Wing, attended 645 VGS for a number of weekends. This culminated in her first solo.

We’re delighted to announce that recently, our Senior Flight Staff Cadet CWO Jake Saynor, has gained his Grade 1 (G1). Photo: CWO Jake Saynor after flying his first GIF with Cdt Oskar Baker of 2040 (Richmond) Squadron.

This weekend Sgt Lee Crispin achieved his Grade 1 (G1) He was a C Cat Instructor many years ago on the Vigilant T1 at 642 VGS at RAF Linton On Ouse. As a G1 he will flying cadets on Glider Induction Flights. Well done Lee!

CGI Ben Haslam, a staff member at 645 VGS for over two years, has been awarded his Grade 2 (G2). Photo: CGI Ben Haslam received his G2 Award following a successful check flight with 645 VGS Instructor, Flt Lt Jordan Cameron.