58-540: A Volunteer Gliding Squadron ( VGS ) is an aircraft squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF) which provides flying training in glider aircraft for Royal Air Force Air Cadets . All current operational Volunteer Gliding Squadrons operate a sole type of aircraft, the Grob G103A Twin II Acro , a conventional winch-launched tandem-seat sailplane known by its British military designation, Viking T1. Since 2014,
116-430: A senior officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force . The rank is used by air forces of many countries that have historical British influence . Squadron leader is immediately senior to flight lieutenant and immediately below wing commander . It is usually equivalent to the rank of lieutenant commander in the navy and of the rank of major in other services. The equivalent rank in
174-535: A decision by the Royal Air Force Board , they were again renamed Volunteer Gliding Squadrons , thus keeping their VGS abbreviation. Following the restructure in 2005, a further reorganisation was initiated in 2010 by Air Officer Commanding (AOC) 22 Group RAF . On 1 April 2010, Command and Control, together with the responsibility for supervision and regulation of the Central Gliding School and
232-542: A fictional " 633 Squadron " was featured in the eponymous novel and film. In addition, a fictional 641 Squadron featured in the film " Mosquito Squadron ". Also, RAF Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (formerly Volunteer Gliding Schools until 2005) have been numbered in the range 611 to 671 since 1955. These squadrons were formed during the Second World War to perform artillery spotting and liaison roles, in co-operation with Army units. Most AOP squadron aircrew were provided by
290-515: A flying squadron is usually commanded by a wing commander , with each of the two flights under a squadron leader. However, ground-operating squadrons which are sub-divisions of a wing are ordinarily commanded by a squadron leader. This includes squadrons of the RAF Regiment and University Air Squadrons . The rank insignia consists of a thin blue band on a slightly wider black band between two narrow blue bands on slightly wider black bands. This
348-527: A full list, see the list of Royal Air Force aircraft independent flights . Bold listings are currently active RAF flights. RAF College Cranwell stores some Standards for disbanded Squadrons that have the potential to be re-activated in the future, preserving the heritage of historic units. Once a Squadron Standard is 'laid up' in a place of worship, upon the disbandment of the Squadron, that Standard can no longer be reactivated. Many UK churches have Standards from
406-540: A limited extent in 2016. In March 2016, a major restructuring of Air Cadet gliding and flying was announced, resulting in the disbanding of fourteen Volunteer Gliding Squadrons, significant reduction of the Vigilant motor glider, a regional focus of remaining Viking squadrons, and an increase in Tutor Air Experience Flight (AEF) flying. With the Vigilant due to be withdrawn from service in 2019, its retirement
464-535: A numbered squadron, then the number of the squadron is also shown on the flag. In the British Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps , "squadron leader" is the title (but not the rank) often given to the commander of a squadron ( company ) of armoured fighting vehicles . The squadron leader is usually a major (thus the equivalent rank to an RAF squadron leader), although in the Second World War
522-626: A past or present role. An example would be No. 18 (Bomber) Squadron RAF which currently actually operates the heavy-lift Chinook helicopter. However, these practices have, at least in the past, been deprecated at higher levels and generally only apply to certain squadrons with long traditions, especially those numbered from 1 to 20. Historical Squadrons can choose to 'lay up' their standards at RAF Cranwell or in places of worship following disbandment. Flying training units and operational evaluation squadrons have generally been (Reserve) squadrons, although they are regular active-duty units. The policy of
580-605: A squadron. Civilians start under probation as Under Training Instructors; their probation ends on attaining B2 Category Qualified Gliding Instructor (QGI) status. Personnel must attain a B1 Category QGI rating before qualifying for a Cadet Forces Commission for an intended appointment. Executive Officers (XOs) head the leadership of the Squadron as Officer Commanding (OC), Chief Flying Instructor (CFI), and Deputy Chief Flying Instructor (DCFI). Commissioned officer posts on VGS include: Other appointed roles include: Supernumerary personnel are part-time staff whose primary appointment
638-571: A substitute for VGS adult personnel, primarily providing ground support to the squadrons. However, they are able to progress to a B2 Category status (less the supervisory privileges). Flying training is carried out to the syllabus of the RAF Central Flying School . Ab-initio training starts with three initial courses, followed with Basic Pilot Training to achieve flying grades. The following pilot qualifications can be obtained on VGSs: Instructor qualifications can be attained following
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#1732848213875696-522: Is also an RAF Squadron Leader. The examiners of the CGS are Flight Lieutenant Royal Air Force Reserve (RAFR) and Squadron Leader RAFR officers, however all future appointments shall be Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) RAFVR(T) commissions. The Royal Air Force chose to re-equip its ageing glider fleet with the first of the modern glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) gliders, and in 1983 , acquired an initial batch of ten Schleicher ASK 21 , given
754-624: Is elsewhere within the British Armed Forces, thus their VGS appointment is their secondary duty. They are from various commissioned and non-commissioned roles of the regular, reserve, and cadet forces. Air Cadets from either the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) or Air Training Corps (ATC) can be appointed as Flight Staff Cadets (FSC) on a VGS. FSCs are selected, usually after completing Advanced Glider Training, from those who show potential to become Gliding Instructors. FSCs do not act as
812-604: Is equivalent to a major, and the cavalry appointment of squadron leader in the UK generally corresponds to this rank as well. The rank was used in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1920 until the 1968 unification of the Canadian Forces , when army-type rank titles were adopted. Canadian squadron leaders then became majors . In official Canadian French usage, the rank title was commandant d'aviation . However, in 2015,
870-507: Is formed entirely of volunteer staff. They are headed by an Officer Commanding , along with several executives, who are appointed by a Cadet Forces Commission in the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC). Instructors are a mixture of regular Royal Air Force / Royal Navy / British Army service personnel, reservists, RAFAC personnel, retired Royal Air Force pilots , Civilian Gliding Instructors, and Flight Staff Cadets. Gliding
928-410: Is worn on both the lower sleeves of the tunic or on the shoulders of the flying suit or the casual uniform. Squadron leaders are the lowest ranking officers that may fly a command flag. The flag may be depicted on the officer's aircraft or, should the squadron leader be in command, the flag may be flown from a flagpole or displayed on an official car as a car flag. If the squadron leader is in command of
986-530: The Air Experience Flights (AEFs), which are operated by volunteer retired RAF officers, despite the Vigilant T1 motor glider's more capable role and potential to enable cadets solo flying. In April 2014, all Air Cadet Organisation gliding was abruptly halted under the auspices of 'airworthiness concerns'. Maintenance records managed by contractor Serco were found to be in disarray. Flying resumed to
1044-405: The Royal Air Force are identified by alphabetical (or similar) characters, known as a "squadron code", that is painted on all aircraft belonging to that unit. When individual units are assigned unusually large numbers of aircraft, multiple squadron codes have been used. Other air forces, especially those from other Commonwealth countries, have often used similar systems of identification. During
1102-719: The Royal Navy (RN) in 1939, becoming Royal Naval Air Squadrons (RNAS). The 700 and 800 range of squadron numbers continued to be used by the Royal Navy for newly formed Royal Naval Air Squadrons. Training Depot Stations (TDS) were still in use after the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918. The majority of Universities in the United Kingdom are, or have been, represented by Royal Air Force (RAF) University Air Squadrons (UAS), where under-graduates can sample elements of
1160-544: The Second World War , when units from other air forces were attached to the RAF – such as the Article XV squadrons (also known as "400 series squadrons") – their squadron codes were often changed, to avoid confusion with RAF units. Historically, the codes have usually been two letters of the alphabet , painted on the rear fuselage next to the RAF roundel . These formed a suffix or prefix to
1218-551: The Women's Auxiliary Air Force , Women's Royal Air Force (until 1968) and Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service (until 1980) was "squadron officer". Squadron leader has also been used as a cavalry command appointment (UK) and rank (France) since at least the nineteenth century. In Argentina it is used as a command appointment by both the army's cavalry and by the air force's flying units. The cavalry rank of squadron leader in France
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#17328482138751276-838: The squadrons operate under No. 2 Flying Training School , which was newly reformed for this purpose at RAF Syerston in Nottinghamshire, within No. 22 (Training) Group of Air Command . The eleven currently operational squadrons, along with the Royal Air Force Central Gliding School , are standardised annually by the Royal Air Force Central Flying School . Under the Air Cadet Organisation prior to 2010, Headquarters Air Cadets, based at RAF Cranwell , retains administrative support. Each VGS
1334-672: The (Reserve) numberplate was rescinded in February 2018, to coincide with the renaming of 22 (Training) Group to just 22 Group in line with other RAF Groups. Some Squadron names include the location they were originally formed. Squadrons in Bold Type are currently active During the First World War, in order to avoid confusion with similarly numbered British flying squadrons, units of the separate Australian Flying Corps were known for administrative purposes as 67, 68, 69, and 71 squadrons. Since
1392-632: The 200 series. Squadrons in the 300–352 series were staffed during the Second World War by volunteers from countries in occupied Europe . In some cases, these RAF squadrons and personnel were regarded by a relevant government-in-exile as serving concurrently with its air force. Similarly, in 1940–42, three " Eagle Squadrons " were composed of volunteers from the US: No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron , later 334th Fighter Squadron USAAF; No. 121 (Eagle) Squadron , later 335th Fighter Squadron USAAF and No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron , later 336th Fighter Squadron USAAF. (Note:
1450-692: The Army. Nos. 661–664 and 666 Squadron were re-formed as Royal Auxiliary Air Force units in 1949. Nos. 651, 652 and 656 Squadron were transferred to the Army Air Corps in 1957. Note: Nos. 693–694 and 696–699 Squadrons were never formed. While still under the control of the Royal Air Force, flights of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) were organised into squadrons with numbers in the 700 and 800 range. The range 700 to 750 had been previously used for Fleet Air Arm Catapult Flight numbers. These squadrons were transferred to
1508-748: The British military service name Vanguard TX1 . The first examples were delivered to the Air Cadet Central Gliding School (ACCGS) at RAF Syerston in time for the new Instructors' courses to take place. The first VGS to equip with these was 618 VGS, based at RAF West Malling . Instructors from this unit were converted to the new training syllabus, and began flying the type during July and August of that year. The first Vanguard TX1s were delivered to West Malling in July 1983, and training for cadets began in August
1566-468: The College Hall Rotunda in order of seniority are: The Royal Air force and Royal flying corps has always comprised a certain number of non-numbered Squadrons to fulfil special duties, experimental or one-off tasks. To allow rapid transport of Air Officers, staff and other important people many units and Headquarters operated communication Sections, Flights, Squadrons or wings. Most units of
1624-634: The Gliding Schools are today controlled by. Under Air Command, the chain of command for these units is through No.22 (Training) Group . On behalf of Air Officer Commanding No.22 (Training) Group, the Volunteer Gliding Squadrons and the Central Gliding School are the responsibility of the officer commanding No. 2 Flying Training School . Formulated in 1946 , the Home Command Gliding Instructors School (HCGIS)
1682-568: The Grob Prefect T1 (RAF name for the Grob G 120TP , an update of the Tutor T1, notably with a glass-cockpit and retractable undercarriage) into UK Military Elementary Flying Training, the RAF's fleet of Grob Tutor T1 ( Grob G 115 ) faced a reduction against the Vigilant T1 motor glider, due to competing roles for powered flying for Air Cadets. 22 Group decided the Vigilant T1 had to be withdrawn, to protect
1740-503: The RAF following a service of Disbandment. However, some Squadrons choose to lay up their Standards in College Hall at RAF Cranwell, the spiritual home of the RAF, and may be reactivated as active Squadrons in the future. Old disbanded squadrons that have laid up their Standards can be presented new Standards to reactivate them, but this is currently extremely rare. Squadron Standards (and their last operated aircraft) that are on display in
1798-426: The RAF has never had a flying unit named 314 Squadron, although it has used the number for No. 314 Technical Services Unit . A proposed 314 Squadron was allocated squadron code "UY" during the period April to September 1939, but was never formed.) Note: the RAF never had a No. 319 Squadron; the "Polish Fighting Team" was attached to No. 145 Fighter Squadron. A proposed 319 Squadron was allocated squadron codes VE for
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1856-409: The RAF rank of major was superseded by squadron leader which has remained in continuous usage ever since. Promotion to squadron leader is strictly on merit, and requires the individual to be appointed to a Career Commission, which will see them remain in the RAF until retirement or voluntary resignation. Before the Second World War , a squadron leader commanded a squadron of aircraft. Today, however,
1914-621: The RAF when it was formed on 1 April 1918, during the First World War . Other squadrons of the RAF include those from Commonwealth air forces which have served within the RAF structure and squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm before it transferred to the Royal Navy in 1939. Some squadrons have an individual tradition of presenting their squadron number in Roman numerals or using a suffix to their squadron number (such as "(F)" for "Fighter", "(B)" for "Bomber" or "(AC)" for "Army Co-operation") to indicate
1972-470: The RAF. In response to the proposal that the RAF should use its own rank titles, it was suggested that the RAF might use the Royal Navy 's officer ranks, with the word "air" inserted before the naval rank title. For example, the rank that later became squadron leader would have been air lieutenant commander. However, the Admiralty objected to this modification of their rank titles. The rank title squadron leader
2030-513: The Royal Air Force, and learn to fly, as well as take advantage of scholarship schemes. Previously operating the Bulldog T.1 , they now all currently operate the Tutor T.1 . Although each UAS retain their own identity an activities, when two are co-located at the same airfield, such as Cambridge UAS and London UAS at RAF Wittering , and Liverpool UAS and Manchester and Salford UAS at RAF Woodvale ,
2088-454: The Second World War these numbers have always been used by RAF units. However, the designation 70 (or LXX) Squadron has always been used for RFC/RAF units. The first squadrons to carry numbers above 200 were former RNAS squadrons that were renumbered upon amalgamation with 200 added to their RNAS squadron number. Independent flights of the RNAS were grouped together in squadrons and given numbers in
2146-691: The Second World War, no such squadrons were formed. Formed as "Special Reserve" squadrons but absorbed into the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Note: No. 505, 506, 507, 508 and 509 Squadrons allocated Squadron codes YF, FS, GX, DY and BQ respectively for the period April to September 1939, but were never formed. A non-flying 505 Squadron was formed as a General Support Squadron in 2015. Note: No No. 599 Squadron seems to have been formed. There were to have been Reserve squadrons using numbers 551–566 which would have been created by adding 500 to existing Operational Training Unit designations. In
2204-961: The TX2s. In 1991, the Venture TX2 was replaced with the Grob G-109B motor glider, Royal Air Force name Vigilant T1 . Originally designated the Vigilant TX1, the glider designation 'X' was dropped due to its change of role. In 2000, Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) Chief of Staff (COS) Group Captain Mike Cross announced the sale of the Valiant TX1 and Kestrel TX1 fleets. This concluded the RAF's many successful years competing in national gliding competitions and setting world records. Initially established as Gliding Schools ( GS ), they were all re-designated Volunteer Gliding Schools ( VGS ) in 1978. In 2005, following
2262-401: The call sign of each aircraft (on the other side of the roundel) which was usually a single letter (e. g. " G for George "). In general, when an aircraft is lost or withdrawn from use, its call sign has been applied to its replacement or another aircraft. Royal Air Force Army Air Corps Fleet Air Arm Others Squadron Leader Squadron leader ( Sqn Ldr or S/L ) is
2320-509: The charity, while the majority would be sold to support the charity. Staff of a Volunteer Gliding Squadron are part-time personnel (usually specifically appointed Cadet Forces Officers and civilians), supernumerary personnel (who are either regular or reservist members of the British Armed Forces or Cadet Force Volunteers), and Flight Staff Cadets. Cadet Forces Officers are appointed to fulfil management positions mandated to operate
2378-691: The completion of a course at the Royal Air Force Central Gliding School: Higher instructor qualifications can be attained following the completion of an examination by the Royal Air Force Central Flying School Gliding Examiners: Additional ratings: List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Squadrons are the main form of flying unit of the Royal Air Force (RAF). These include Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) squadrons incorporated into
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2436-546: The creation of Article XV and had already been operational during the war, including combat operations. Note: Although squadron numbers 444 to 449 were also reserved for the RCAF, it did not use them during the Second World War. Note: Although squadron numbers 465 and 468 to 479 were also reserved for the RAAF during the Second World War, it did not use them. Note: Although the squadron numbers 491 to 499 were reserved for RNZAF units during
2494-867: The event the plan was never put into effect, although there was some desultory use of some of the numbers by some of the OTUs for a short period. Despite their lack of formal activation, this block of numbers has never been re-allocated for use by other units. In the event of a German Invasion the Operational Training Units would have been re-formed into the Squadrons below, under plans as part of Operation Saracen , formulated in Spring 1940, which were later revised as Operation Banquet . Some reserve Squadron numbers were used by their respective OTU's during operational tasks until at least May 1944. Note: No. 606 Squadron RAF
2552-572: The insignia for Canadian air force majors reverted to two and half strips of braid in pearl grey on black. The rank originated in the British Royal Air Force and was adopted by several other air forces which use, or used, the RAF rank system . On 1 April 1918, the newly created RAF adopted its officer rank titles from the British Army , with Royal Naval Air Service lieutenant commanders and Royal Flying Corps majors becoming majors in
2610-632: The main squadron numbers resolved by the VGS suffix. The currently active squadrons, now part of 2 Flying Training School (2FTS) headquartered at RAF Syerston along with the Central Gliding School , all operate the Viking T1 winch-launched sailplane glider. The Royal Air Force (RAF) maintains a number of independent flights ; some on a permanent basis, others on an ad-hoc basis as required. Historically, some flights were alphabetically named . For
2668-704: The period April to September 1939. The Royal Hellenic Air Force 13th Light Bomber Squadron was also under RAF command in World War II. Note: No. 348 Squadron was not formed, but Squadron codes letters FR were allocated for the period April to September 1939. Note: Nos. 362–399 Squadrons were not formed. Under Article XV of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan , the air forces of Australia, Canada and New Zealand formed squadrons for service under RAF operational control. Most were new formations, however some had already existed prior to
2726-511: The period April to September 1939. There was also 663 Artillery Observation Squadron; No. 138 Special Duty Squadron Polish Flight "C" and No. 1586 Polish Special Duty Flight. Note: Nos. 323 to 325 Squadrons were not formed, but allocated Squadron Codes GN, PQ and EA respectively for the period April to September 1939. However these numbers were used for post-war Royal Netherlands Air Force squadrons. Note: Nos: 337–339 never formed, but were allocated Squadron Codes OK, ML and KN respectively for
2784-523: The same time, the Gliding Schools were all renumbered with three-digit numbers, the first two digits being the parent Home Command Group (Nos. 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, or 67). In 1968, RAF Training Command was established, incorporating Flying Training Command. In 1977 , Training Command was absorbed into RAF Support Command , and then moved into Personnel and Training Command on its establishment in 1994, before being subsumed into Air Command in March 2007, where
2842-583: The same year. After the initial ten were delivered, Alexander Schleicher was unwilling to open a production line for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), as they did not want to sideline their civilian market. A tender was issued, and Grob Aerospace was awarded the contract to supply one hundred Grob G103A Twin II Acro gliders. The RAF named the military variant as the Viking T1 in Air Cadet service. A single specimen
2900-505: The then twenty-seven Volunteer Gliding Squadrons, was moved from the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) to the Directorate of Flying Training (DFT) under No. 1 Elementary Flying School RAF (No1 EFTS). A further restructure in December 2011 saw No1 EFTS absorbed into No. 3 Flying Training School (3FTS), together with a gliding branch of the school developed from No1 EFTS. With the introduction of
2958-659: The two individual UAS share the same fleet of aircraft. All University Air Squadrons are currently commanded by No. 6 Flying Training School RAF (6FTS). Squadrons below listed in bold are currently active, others are disbanded, or otherwise amalgamated into a current existing UAS. Air Experience Flights are co-located with University Air Squadrons and operate the Tutor T1 training aircraft. Initially formed as Gliding Schools (GS), and then renamed Volunteer Gliding Schools (VGS), these squadrons retained their gliding school numbers when reformed as squadrons . Conflicts with
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#17328482138753016-509: Was allocated Squadron codes BG for the period April to September 1939, but was not formed. A non-flying No. 606 Helicopter Support Squadron of the RAuxAF was later formed in 1999. Note: Nos. 629, 632–634, 636–638, 641–643 and 645–649 were never formed, but some were allocated Squadron codes for the period April to September 1939 – 629 (LQ), 632 (LO), 636 (VZ), 637 (UK), 638 (PZ), 641 (EV), 645 (KF), 646 (YG), 647 (ZS), 648 (YT) and 649 (HA). However
3074-678: Was brought forward to May 2018. Two new AEF squadrons were to be formed. A review of the Defence Estate , published in November 2016, confirmed the disbandments announced in March, and gave estimated dates for disposal of several sites. Despite the Vigilant T1 motor glider fleet being declared un-airworthy and uneconomical to return to the air, all sixty-three grounded Vigilant T1 were sold to Hampshire-based charity Aerobility, which works with people with disabilities and injured ex-military personnel. A number would be modified and refurbished for use by
3132-551: Was chosen as squadrons were typically led by RAF majors and the term squadron commander had been used in the Royal Naval Air Service. The rank of squadron leader was introduced in August 1919 and has been used continuously since then. From 1 April 1918 to 31 July 1919, the RAF used major as the equivalent rank to squadron leader. Royal Naval Air Service lieutenant-commanders and Royal Flying Corps majors on 31 March 1918 became RAF majors on 1 April 1918. On 31 August 1919,
3190-597: Was delivered to Slingsby Aviation in the UK for fatigue life testing. The Slingsby Falke motor glider, known in the Royal Air Force as Venture T1 , was trialled at the Air Cadet Central Gliding School (ACCGS) at RAF Spitalgate from 1971 to 1973. Ten Glider Schools (GS) were first issued with the T1 variant in 1977, but were quickly upgraded with the TX2. The development of many sites and closures of many RAF aerodromes put strain on many conventional VGS. Further GSs were allocated with
3248-542: Was established in 1949 at RAF Detling to train Qualified Gliding Instructors (QGI) for the Gliding Schools. With the disestablishment of Home Command, HCGIS was split into two Gliding Centres to accommodate the Gliding Schools in the north and south of the United Kingdom. A further reorganisation amalgamated the Gliding Centres into the Central Gliding School (CGS) in 1972 at RAF Spitalgate , where it
3306-688: Was first introduced for the Air Defence Cadet Corps in 1939 , but formally became part of official training with the Air Training Corps in 1942 . From 1946, eighty-seven Gliding Schools (GS) came under the Reserve Command. Initially, the Gliding Schools were established under RAF Reserve Command , later to become RAF Home Command . In 1955, RAF Flying Training Command took over the responsibility, and amalgamated them into twenty-seven Gliding Schools under Headquarters Air Cadets. At
3364-432: Was renamed the Air Cadet Central Gliding School (ACCGS) in 1974. In 2009, following the formal approval of the CGS unit badge, the Air Cadet Central Gliding School was renamed the Royal Air Force Central Gliding School, and in 2010, restructured under No.1 Elementary Flying Training School (1EFT). The CGS is commanded by a Royal Air Force Squadron Leader , who also acts as OC Flying for RAF Syerston . The Chief Instructor
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