Aircraft

The Grob 109B or Vigilant T-Mk 1 as we know it, differs from other Air Cadet Gliders in that it has an engine and propeller, so it can launch itself.

The Vigilant can taxi, take off and climb under its own power to a height selected by the commander. It can be flown as a contential glider by allowing the engine to idle or, for some advanced exercises switching the engine off altogether. It can even soar in thermals given reasonable conditions. The engine is not powerful enough for rapid climbing, taking some 5 minutes or so to reach 2,000 feet. However the ground handling time is reduced and manpower requirements are less than that of the Viking conventional glider.

The Vigilant is used for AEG, GIC, GS and AGT training and, unlike the Viking where you may experience a number of launches lasting on average 5-6 minutes, in order to achieve training objectives, Vigilant sorties typically last for about 20-30 minutes for a GIC and 45 – 60 minutes for a GS exercise.

The Vigilant T MK 1 was designed and built in Germany but modified to incorporate RAF requirements, and is made from both Carbon Fibre Plastic and Glass Reinforced Plastic. It is a two seat, low wing monoplane, powered by a Limbach SL 2000 EJ 2400cc engine with a variable pitch Hoffman HO-V62 / L160T propeller.

Listed in the table below are the specifications and dimensions of the Vigilant.

624 VGS currently has three Vigilant aircraft in operation: ZH 128 (TP), ZH 190 (UC), ZH 194 (UG)