Awards & Achievements

With all the new facilities it seemed appropriate that 624 should win the MEL Trophy in 1990. It also won the MEL Trophy for a second time in 1993. Since then the school has gone on to win the Air League Challenge Cup in 1995 (with Fg Off Andy Forward and FSC CWO Sacha Pilkington), in 1999 (with Sqn Ldr Ches Ledster and FSC Cdt. FS. Dan Reece) and in 2001 (with CGI Kieran Ball and CGI Mark Dunstan). The School also won the Slingsby Trophy for Best Vigilant School in 1999 and 2001, and the British Aerospace Trophy for Best School in 1999, and again in 2001.

Along the way the school has had some notable achievements by members of the staff. In 1994 CFI Flt Lt. Kevin Grimshire received a "Well Done" for his handling of an emergency on take off and in 1999 FSC Claire Stopps received a Green Endorsement. In 1995 the CFI, Flt Lt. Gary Webber, left the school to become the newest member of ACCGS.

1999 saw two important visits to the school. Group Captain Cross presented the Green Endorsement awarded to Claire Stopps and in September the official presentation of the Slingsby and British Aerospace trophies was made by Air Commodore J D Kennedy, Commandant of Air Cadets. Air Commodore Kennedy brought the Air League Challenge Cup with him so that all three trophies won by 624 in 1999 could be seen together.

The new millenium has started well for 624 with Squadron Leader Ches Ledster receiving a Defence Council Letter of Appreciation at the Annual Gliding Conference in 2000.

Air Commodore Kennedy's visit repeated in 2001, when the school again won all three trophies. Also in 2001 Squadron Leader Ledster received his Long Service Medal and CGI Roger Burge revived his Certificate of Long Service.

In 2003 CGI Reece and FSC CWO Shanes attended the Air League Challenge Cup and came 3rd out of 9 schools.

April 2004 saw the school win the Breitling Trophy for achievements from Flight Staff Cadets, well done to CWO Shanes, CWO Beale and Cdt FS Gedling.

April 2006 saw the Squadron once again win the Breitling Trophy. Congratulations goto CGI Steer, CGI Treasure, Inst Cdt FS Dacre, Inst Cdt FS Whyatt, Inst Cdt Sgt Adcock, Inst Cdt Sgt Gorton, Cdt Sgt Beale, Cdt Cpl Kingdon & Cdt Goodwin. [Photo to follow].