Aim of the CGC Cadet Scheme
To promote the sport of gliding by making available to a limited number of young people the facilities of the Cambridge Gliding Club at a greatly reduced cost. It is hoped that during their Cadet membership the individuals will progress to a solo standard.
The minimum age for a solo flight is now 14 years old, which is laid down by the British Gliding Association, the governing body for the sport in the UK.
Cadets will be encouraged to continue beyond their Cadetship to become full members of the club, but it must be noted that this is not a precondition of acceptance.
Eligibility
The scheme is open to any one between their 14th birthday and under 18 at the time of joining the scheme. Cadet membership lasts a maximum of two years and the maximum number of Cadet places is determined by the Club’s committee. Start dates are to be mutually agreed and it is understood that not all Cadets will remain in the scheme for two years.
An ability to demonstrate a keen interest in aviation and a genuine desire to expand that interest into gliding are essential.
Cadet progress
Each Cadet’s progress, contribution to the club and enthusiasm will be continually assessed and at the end of their first full Cadet Year a decision will be take jointly by the Cadet Scheme Secretary and the Cadet Scheme Administrator as to whether to extend the privilege of the second year sponsorship to the Cadet.
Cadet obligations
The Cadet’s are expected to take an active and keen interest in all aspects of the Club’s activities and to actively participate in the Club’s operations according to their abilities (See Annex I).
In order to gain the most from the training opportunities presented by Club membership Cadets are expected to be at the Club for a minimum of 5-6 hours on each occasion that they attend.
It is a condition of Cadet Membership that all Cadets agree to go on the “Cadet Roster” and will be required to do 15 full duty days each year. This requirement can normally be discharged by assisting at Club competitions such as the Gransden Regionals, the Inter Club League or other formal Club events with the balance as part of the regular Cadet Roster. Regularly rostered duties will occur on weekends and will be spaced approximately evenly throughout the year. The Roster is published at the beginning of each Summer and Winter season.
CGC recognise that it may not be possible for some Cadets to meet this obligation because of specific schooling or other, similar, formal commitments. In such circumstances the Cadet can request that their duty days be in the school holidays (in writing to the Cadet Scheme Administrator at the beginning of the Cadet year, giving specific reasons and supplying the holiday dates). If dispensation is agreed the duty days may be any day of the week and some could be consecutive. It should be noted that it might not be possible to accommodate such a request in which case Cadet Membership may have to be declined.
Cadet Members will be required to show evidence to the Cadet Scheme Administrator that they are meeting, or will meet, these conditions by the end of each Cadet Year.
Once booked a Cadet is expected to honour their obligation and is responsible for finding a suitably qualified substitute if they are unable to meet it.
The fulfilment of these Conditions is intended to be fun, not onerous, to assist with the smooth running of the Club and in recognition of the substantial subsidy made by the Club’s Full Flying Members in order to encourage the success of the Cadet Scheme.
They are aligned to the conditions of membership assumed by all Full Flying Members of the Club
Selection
An application form is to be completed by each candidate.
On receipt of the application the Cadet Scheme Secretary will process it and may invite the applicant to the Club for an informal interview.
Prior to submitting an application for membership of the Cadet Scheme all applicants will be expected to undertake a trial lesson to be paid for at standard Club rates so they can see what glider flying is really like, and get to know at first hand the usual cost of Club flying. Applicants must sign the Short Term Membership agreement prior to this lesson but the daily membership fee, which is usually charged to non-Club members using the facilities, will be waived for that day.
The candidate’s application must show that they have taken into consideration the commitments required. These include the costs involved, the time to participate and the ability to arrange transport to and from the site.
The application must be countersigned by a parent or guardian, together with a copy of the Cadet Scheme Guidance Notes, to confirm that the Parent or Guardian has read them, understands and accepts the contents and agrees to this Application being put forward to the Club’s Committee for consideration.
References
A reference will be required from someone, other than family member, who knows the applicant. This may be a teacher, activity leader or employer.
Supervision and training
A Cadet Scheme Secretary co-ordinates the selection, activities and welfare of the Cadets whilst a Cadet Scheme Administrator ensures that the scheme runs smoothly and reports to the Club Committee, through a Committee member, on a quarterly basis.
An instructor is appointed as the Cadets’ mentor to ensure training is carried out appropriately to the benefit of the Cadets and to be available to assist the Cadets in any way required.
A number of lectures and briefings are given during the course of Club activities and Cadets are recommended to attend these and any others specifically organised for them.
Flying
Cadets are encouraged to attend and fly at any time when the club is operating.
Cost
The Cadet subscription is £80.00. Flights consisting of a winch launch and up to 30 minutes flying time are charged £8.00 each. Any flying in excess of this is charged at the full published Club rates. Aerotows can be taken (and a few will be required to meet the needs of the training syllabus). They are charged at the normal, unsubsidised, Club rates.
It is difficult to estimate the number of flights required to reach solo standard but most should qualify at between 50 and 60 flights.
At the end of their two year Cadetship, cadets are encouraged to apply for membership of Cambridge Gliding Club under the Young Adults Membership scheme. There is a separate briefing note and application form for this which can be obtained from the Office.
If you have any questions, however trivial, please ring the club on 01767 677077 and speak to our office staff. They will pass on messages to the Cadet Scheme Secretary who will contact you as soon as possible.