The Air Training Corps (ATC) offers Air 
Experience Flying (AEF) specifically to give cadets the hands-on experience of flying in an aircraft. The AEF Squadron's share a fleet of Grob 115 'Tutor' Aircraft with the Royal Air Force (RAF) University Air Squadron's (UAS) which are operated nationally and funded by a private company.
All UAS pilots are very experienced and are all either currently serving or former military pilots. This gives the cadets the best possible experience, being instructed in how to fly a real aircraft by a seasoned instructor.
During these flights the cadets do not just sit back and enjoy the ride, they interact fully with the flying, techniques and drills. In their first few flights they will be shown the basic controls of the aircraft including turning, climbing and descending.
The cadet will then take full control of the aircraft for some of the flight time which is approximately 30 minutes. Once the cadet is confident enough, he or she can also experience the thrill of aerobatics by first 'following through' on the controls then 
repeating the manoeuver with full control.
249 (Hailsham) Squadron attends AEF Flying at RAF Wyton near Huntingdon. Every squadron is allocated specific AEF slots per year which operate either in the morning or afternoon session. Cadets also get the chance to fly on Annual Summer Camp if there is an AEF Squadron on the RAF Station or one near-by.
Further flying training can be gained through one of the Flying Awards. These are the 'Air Cadet Pilot Scheme' (formally known as the 'Flying Scholarship') or the 'Pilot Navigation' award. These awards require the cadet to have reached a high level of competence of flying and are run at dedicated flying training schools. The courses are weather dependant and therefore time to reach the set level varies.
Gliding
Gliding is yet another opportunity for you to develop your flying skills. Gliding is similar to powered flight except that a glider does not use an engine but thermals, pockets of rising air, to keep it in the air. The two most common types of Glider are the Viking and the Vigilant. They are flown from VGS (Volunteer Gliding Schools) across the country. The nearest to us is 618 Squadron based at RAF Odiam and 615 Squadron based at RAF Kenly where we do most of our Gliding.
Gliding Induction Course
The Starting point for your gliding experience will be at a Volunteer Gliding School (VGS) which will fly either Vigilant motor gliders or Viking winch launch gliders. You will begin by attending, with others from your Squadron or CCF unit, your affiliated VGS to be taught the Gliding Induction Course (GIC).
The GIC has been designed to give you a taste for Air Cadet Gliding and consists of 3 different levels of instruction. You will be shown various aspects of aerodynamics that you will have been taught in the classroom before being taught the ”effects of controls” in the air. You will have the opportunity to take control and practice what you have learned. On your first visit you will be taught the GIC 1 and your subsequent visits you will progress to GIC 2 and 3.
After you have completed the course, you will be awarded a GIC certificate.
Gliding Scholarship
Gliding Scholarship courses are an opportunity for cadets to undergo further training and achieve Gliding Scholarship Wings. A course consists of up to 40 launches in a Viking or 8 hours in a Vigilant to achieve GS wings. Cadets showing the necessary aptitude are invited to progress to 'solo' standard and hopefully achieve the GS Solo Wings.
If you want to be nominated for a Gliding Scholarship, let your Squadron or Unit staff know. Ideally you should have completed a GIC 1, 2 or 3, but it is not 
mandatory. You must be 16 years of age when you start the course and you will need a medical form (RAF Form 6424), which is available upon request from your staff. Take this form to your local doctor and ask them to complete it (you must retain the form because you will have to present it to the VGS on commencement of a GS Course). Once completed the Form is valid for 2 years, as long as nothing medically untoward happens to you. After you have completed the medical (no examination required – it is completed by reference to your medical notes), and your doctor has signed the form to confirm that you are fit to undergo glider pilot training, you are ready for a course.
It is then a matter of a course becoming available. Courses are available in two formats, either over successive weekends until you have completed the course or a continuous week-long course (usually in the summer, however they are held all year round at the Air Cadet Central Gliding School at RAF Syerston). You must have the commitment to attend a GS course, as it can be difficult to predict the exact time it will take to complete as it depends on your own progress and the weather. Typically in summer a course will take 3 weekends to complete. Successful completion of the course will entitle you to wear the Blue GS wings. You will have done well to get this far. For cadets showing the required aptitude, there may be the opportunity to progress further and possibly reach the solo standard. Should you manage this and successfully complete a solo circuit you will be entitled to wear the Silver GS wings.
