AAFC glider visits Mount Barker Show

No 600 (Aviation Training) Squadron from RAAF Edinburgh recently supported an Air Force Cadets information and recruiting stand at the Mount Barker Show in the Adelaide Hills.

CAPTION: No 602 Squadron (Woodside, SA) cadets CDT Grace Wilton, LCDT Anita Gardner, CCPL Benjamin Grillett, LCDT Ben Carter, CCPL Erika Gardner, CCPL Blake Harding, CDT Bianca Willsmore, LCDT Aiden Carling, CDT Lachlan Willsmore, CDT Kyle Bratkovic and CCPL Olivia Gardner display an AAFC ASK-21 Mi glider at the Mount Barker Show. Leading Cadet Ben Carter (in flying dress) qualified for his Solo Gliding Badge in 2014.

This was a rare opportunity for prospective pilots to get a close-up view of the ASK-21 Mi two-seater glider.

In particular, the glider was displayed with the propeller assembly raised as it would be to support self-launch or sustained flight.

The ASK-21 is a two-seater club glider manufactured by Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co Segelflugzeugbau [aircraft builders] in Poppenhausen in the state of Hesse, Germany. The ‘Mi’ designation indicates that it is a motor glider with self-launching capability.

The Australian Air Force Cadets received 11 ASK-21 Mi gliders, and these were received by Cadets Branch–Air Force on 27 February 2015.

Two airframes were allocated to 6 Wing in SA – registrations ‘VH-NQG’ and ‘VH-NQI’ – and these can often be seen in the skies above Gawler and Balaklava, and various other airfields around South Australia.

No 6 Wing also has in its fleet one DG-1000S Club Glider.

Pilot Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig, 6 Wing Public Affairs & Communication Officer, said flying training courses were offered by the AAFC, where cadets as young as 15 years – the minimum legal age – can learn to fly a glider solo.

Chief Flying Instructor–Gliding, Pilot Officer (AAFC) Dennis Medlow said, the Air Force had provided Cadets with the opportunity to undertake aviation training in modern, well-equipped aircraft.

“Flying scholarships are also available to Air Force Cadets to support their training,” Pilot Officer (AAFC) Medlow said.

No 600 Squadron is always looking for qualified and motivated gliding instructors to join the team (experience as a military officer or NCO is preferred but not essential).

There are opportunities for ground and flight instructors in all aspects of aviation, ranging from aero-engines, aircraft modelling, radio-controlled aircraft, UAVs, the Link Trainer and other flight simulators, through to powered flight and gliding.

Specifically for gliding activities, there are opportunities for GFA Level 1 and above qualified flight instructors to participate in weekend courses and week-long camps in the school holidays.

Air experience instructors are also welcome to discuss opportunities for participation.

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