Wormingford Airfield, Fordham Road, Wormingford, Colchester, Essex CO6 3AQ Tel: (01206) 242596 glide[at]esgc.co.uk  "essexandsuffolkglidingclub"
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ESGC Cadet Scheme

Interested in the Cadet Scheme?

Learning to fly a glider is exhilarating and fun and the Essex & Suffolk Gliding Club has developed a Cadet Scheme for young people aged 14 to 21 to take up the sport of gliding in a safe and affordable way. *

In addition to being trained to fly by our qualified and experienced instructors we want you to join in and help with the care of our glider fleet and learn about aviation.

Given the right commitment and regular instruction you could be flying solo within your first year, so why not sign up to our cadet scheme today?

* The club has full child protection policies and has carried out CRB checks on key members of our team.

Here are some FAQs about the Cadet Scheme

Q. Who can join?

A. THE STARTING AGE FOR THE SCHEME IS 14 AND CEASES ON THE 22nd BIRTHDAY. THE SCHEME APPLIES FOR UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 3 YEARS PER CADET.

Q. What does it cost?

A. THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE FOR CADETS IS £60 (compared with £165 for Youth Members and £330 for Adults).

THE CHARGES FOR LAUNCHING AND FLYING FEES ARE £4.25 AND £0.18 PER MINUTE RESPECTIVELY.

A SPECIAL RATE OF £2.50 FOR ONE FLIGHT PER DAY, INCLUDING UP TO 15 MINUTES FLYING TIME.

Q. What else is involved in being a Cadet?

A. CADETS ARE EXPECTED TO ASSIST IN DUTIES ON THE AIRFIELD INCLUDING LOG KEEPING, RETRIEVE, AND LAUNCH SIGNALLING, UNDER SUPERVISION OF AN ADULT. YOU WILL ALSO HELP WITH SMALL MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING JOBS ON THE GLIDERS AND EQUIPMENT.

CADETS OVER THE AGE OF 17 MAY BE PERMITTED TO DRIVE THE TOW OUT LANDROVER AND JEEP, FOLLOWING BEING GIVEN A DRIVING COMPETENCE TEST BY AN ADULT MEMBER.

Q. How much time should I allow?

A. CADETS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR A 9 AM START ON FLYING DAYS AND STAY ON SITE FOR A REASONABLE DURATION. THE AIRFIELD IS OPERATIONAL FROM 8AM TO 6PM AT WEEKENDS AND SOME WEEKDAYS IN THE SUMMER.

Q. How do I get to the airfield?

A. CADETS WILL NEED TO MAKE THEIR OWN ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRANSPORT TO AND FROM THE CLUB. PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE WELCOME TO STAY AND USE THE FACILITES IN THE CLUBHOUSE.

The Essex & Suffolk Gliding Club is one of the British Gliding Associations 'Junior Gliding Centres' and is supported by 'Sport England'. We also welcome young pilots from local Air Cadet Squadrons and Combined Cadet Forces.

It is now official that young glider pilots can 'solo' at the age of 14! Many young glider pilots have gone on to have careers in the RAF and civil aviation.

Like to try gliding as a Gliding Cadet? Then apply today: e-mail the Chairman (chairman[at]esgc.co.uk) for a membership form! Or download our PDF leaflet (5 MB).