News

July 16th 2013

Cadet Flight Sergeant Bailey Wright, a 6th form student at Long Eaton School, has been awarded his Gold Gliding Wings by Air Vice Marshall Mike Lloyd, Air Officer Commanding 22 Group RAF, after a three day Advanced Gliding Training (AGT) course at The Royal Air Force Central Gliding School, RAF Syerston.   To cap this tremendous achievement, the day after his award, Bailey went on to gain the higher Award of AGT 2 after completing two “soaring flights” of 37 and 55 minutes duration. “ A very impressive duration given his experience level” said Flight Lieutenant Heeral Poria, Bailey’s flying instructor.

These achievements are all the more remarkable as Bailey first stepped into a glider in August last year after gaining a Gliding Busary against stiff competition among cadets from the Midlands.   After this initial gliding training, Bailey qualified for his Silver Gliding Wings.

His interest in gliding prompted him to apply for, and be granted in January this year, a place as a Flight Cadet at 644 Volunteer Gliding School (VGS) where Air Cadets receive basic Gliding training.  In March, he became the Chief Flight Staff Cadet at the VGS and in April was named “Best Flight Cadet”.

Gliding is not the only Air Cadet activity that the young Flight Sergeant excels in. He has gained his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, completed the gruelling Nijmegen March (100miles marched in four days) as well as other Road Marching competitions. He was the Mayor of Erewash’s Cadet in 2012.

“I feel a real sense of achievement and am eager to go further. None of this would have been available to me if I hadn’t become a cadet. And it was all free!” said Bailey.

Anyone between the ages of 13 and 17 who wish to join this fantastic organisation, log on to www.aircadets.org