Gliding scholarship... Counts towards PPL?

[C]

Yeh I definately want to do the flying scholarship one day. I thought it was for over 17s, but that link (which i visited earlier) says 16, but with GCSEs. I will be getting my results about this time next year, so I shall have to apply then.

I don't know about a PPL, but the hours you are given don't seem quite sufficient. Something like 12 hours in the tutor, and PPL is 38 hours minimum, I think, depending on the type you take.

Sadly the Flying Scholarship isn't what it used to be. Once upon a time it was a full (40hr at the time) PPL. By the time I did mine, it was down to 20hrs (I got an extra hour free being "standardised" by CFS! ), and sadly AFAIK/understand, it is now an ATC only thing, which is much reduced in numbers (used to be several hundred a year) and funded by commercial and private benefactors.

[EGNX]

Ah cool. How flexible would it be for me? What sort of attendance do they expect, or how is it arranged for when people need to go down?

Ermm... well each VGS is different, it depends on how many staff they have etc.

For my VGS we are expected to make 4 days a month... either 2 solid weekends, or 1 day every weekend for that month. But they're not that strict. As long as you have a regular attendance. They don't mind you missing the odd weekend here or there. I just simply email my Adjutant attendance each month...

[machineman9]

Aah, cheers.

Definately something to look forward to.

Another one of my friends wants to do the scholarship too, so we are going to talk to one of our CIs, or the CO tomorow and see what can be done.

[machineman9]

I was in the office today (sorting out squadron website) and I asked one of our civilian instructors about the gliding. He said I should be old enough to apply... I am 16 in February. He is going to look for some documents or some such paperwork relating to it that might be beneficial... but I will load up and print the official application form, and just see how it goes.


Apparently there is a paragliding place coming up soon too. It is for 16+ and I can only hope it takes place next year. Great activities with cadets... Really very good. And RAF work experience forms are going out too... Shall see what there is, or apply to our associate RAF squadron if not.

[EGNX]

I was in the office today (sorting out squadron website) and I asked one of our civilian instructors about the gliding. He said I should be old enough to apply... I am 16 in February. He is going to look for some documents or some such paperwork relating to it that might be beneficial... but I will load up and print the official application form, and just see how it goes.


Apparently there is a paragliding place coming up soon too. It is for 16+ and I can only hope it takes place next year. Great activities with cadets... Really very good. And RAF work experience forms are going out too... Shall see what there is, or apply to our associate RAF squadron if not.

Good luck!

BTW the paragliding course is excellent! Check here.
Hopefully you will get a place.

[machineman9]

The last paragliding course is 4 days before my birthday, so unfortunately none of that this year. Hey, it is an anual thing so it is not the end of the world.

Have fun with yours.

Those photos are really good. Looks terrifying but at the same time so much fun. I think my main reasons for it is to overcome that horrid hatred of heights... and to feel speed without an engine nor wings.

I just got back from Southport airshow (1.5hrs there, 4 hours back!!!) and so I am sort of in the flying mood haha. Will get pictures of that up when I finish this weekend's coursework.