Vigilant Air League Competition (2005 Report)

Day 1

My Colleague, Flt Lt Matt Haywood (B Cat), and myself CGI James Gedling (C Cat) arrived at a very rainy RAFC Cranwell after a 7 hour drive from Devon late on Sunday evening.

We checked in at our messes only to find that Matt was staying in the Sgt’s Mess and myself in the Candidates mess! Not only did this mean a walk to the bar, but also no one had bothered to make my bed when I arrived…honestly! This, however, actually proved quite good as all the other CGI’s from the other schools where staying in the same corridor in the candidates mess, even the two girls Caroline from Henlow and Sam from Linton-on-ouse, and yes it was unisex bathroom facilities!

The following morning was an early start up at 0620 with breakfast at 0630 for the bus to RAF Syerston at 0715. Breakfast was well…RAF like! Consisting of the usual ‘full English’ with coffee! A cloudless sky awaited us at Syerston, the “Miramar” of Air Cadet Gliding! Briefing was at 0900, the first morning was spent at ACCGS’ elite ground school wing learning about how to navigate, and no Matt GPS’s are not allowed!

In the afternoon the team captain’s did a practice cross country while the team members, well…dossed by the caravan! The bus from Miramar left at 1700ish and we arrived back at Cranwell about 30mins later. That evening was spent in the bar of the XL Club drinking, laughing, drinking and finally a drunk round of bowling! Instead of the usual game of bowling we tried ‘crazy’ bowling which involved attempting to answer the following questions…

How far can one throw the ball before it hit’s the lane floor?
How slow can one bowl the ball?
How big a run up does one need to bowl?

Answers to questions that have troubled man since the dawn of time where answered in only one round of bowling! After the frivolities of bowling we frequented the Sgt’s mess for well…more drinking, including a game of, just how hammered can one get in the Sgt’s mess bar for just five English pounds? Lights out was around 1200 and that’s local not Zulu!

Day 2

Again awoke at 0620, this time for some reason it was more of an effort to get up…can’t think why, in fact couldn’t think at all to be perfectly honest! We had breakfast, went by car with Captain Darrlyl Sheppard and Rob from Ternhill, when we arrived we B/F’ed the aircraft that had been allocated to our team. 624 VGS had ship ZH190.…interesting I know!
Briefing at 0900 followed by a morning of team captains doing their first cross country that counted towards the competition. Luckily the team members where not flying until the afternoon, which for many of us was probably a good thing looking back!

The afternoon sported a ‘best landing competition’ to which two circuits were flown with the team Captains and then one solo for the best landing, by the team members. The best landing was done my ‘Mr flymo’ from Linton with myself coming fourth, obviously this was down to the state of the grass at Syerston…

That evening was spent well…in bed very early! However we did have a rather amusing game at dinner where we tried to down the jug of squash before the mess staff could refill it, what rebels we where! Probably best if I move onto Day 3.

Day 3

Again up at 0620, had breakfast. Weather was once again suntan able! Arrived to find that the teams who had not B/F’ed aircraft yesterday morning where ducted 50 points, other people where ducted points for not signing off a/c, carrying camcorders and laptops in a/c, that sort of thing…hey Darryl !

The morning was again filled with team captains doing cross countries, to which a few people one booby prizes of ‘Mickey Mouse’ compasses for their sterling effort of getting lost around Newark, which happens to be an anagram for a rude word…thanks for that piece of information Aaron!

The afternoon was spent doing timed circuits; this meant undertaking two practice circuits with time pieces to record the average between the two. The average time was then declared to the Duty Instructor and all timing objects and camcorders removed from the aircraft. The circuit was timed by the DI from when the crew called “Rolling” on the radio to when the wheels touched the ground.

Again dinner was amusing; with the Welsh team taking the usual Little Britain, Davith Thomas you b****y fool… taunts. That evening was spent at the bar of the XL club, cant really remember much after about 2000, most likely due to a combination of tiredness and John Smiths, but went to bed around 2300 after a few episodes of Little Britain thanks to Aaron’s laptop!

Day 4

Today was Thursday, only 500 points separated fourth and first positions. The morning was the turn of the team members to have a go at this cross country malarkey; I was flying with the Wing Commander. It all went very well, my timings where spot on and all the headings worked well. It was a clear day with no wind so that probably helped things. However, due to being a C Cat and holding a PPL I incurred a handicap this meant I finished well down the list, but then hey if they will hold this competition during the exam season what do they expect?!
It must be added that there was only one staff cadet present at the Air League this year, from Kinloss. The rest consisted of CGI’s and Officers.

In the morning the team captains did the aircraft knowledge quiz, with questions such as, what is the maximum nude sitting height for occupants of the Vigilant?!? They also undertook a ‘spot the defects’ walk round. Basically five minutes to find as many defects as possible, including a toy parrot wedged into the cowling behind the propeller!

The afternoon festivity was the engine off rejoin competition, two practices to takeoff, climb to 2000ft and then switch off the engine and rejoin for a normal landing, well as normal as you can get on grass! All time pieces where removed, and a declared time given. From what we where told no one was more than ten seconds out from there declared timings, but again our handicap hampered any kind of progress, and 624 remained in seventh position.

That evening was spent partaking in a little BBQ courtesy of Mr Mason, organised by Sam and myself I may add…I thank you! A “really good evening ensued, with plenty of meat and beer available from the old four counties bar at Syerston. With the sounds of “Top Gun” playing in the background some of us enjoyed the evening a little more than others…especially a certain Welshman!

Day 5

The final day of competition, unfortunately due to aircraft serviceability, most likely due to Chivenor being allowed to service aircraft! The spot landing competition was cancelled; instead we had another round of timed circuits. With one team being ducted points for landing before the DLA! We finished flying by about 1200, and prize giving was at 1400. Representatives from the Air League and the HQ Air Cadets where present to hand out the cup to Swansea, this years winners.

And so ended 2005’s Air League competition, with another 7 hour drive ahead of us!
Next year those funny elastic band powered glider things compete for the trophy, but 2007 will bring yet more Vigilant flying. Until then…I thank you, and enjoy the pictures!

Shown below are the results from 624 VGS over the last few years.