HL Deb 05 June 2000 vol 613 cc126-7WA
Lord Marsh

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of Royal Air Force personnel receive compulsory instruction in the flying of gliders. [HL2384]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

It is not compulsory for RAF personnel to receive instruction in the flying of gliders. Glider flying training is available to service personnel as an adventurous training activity. This training is provided at the Joint Services Adventurous Training (Gliding) (JSAT(G)) centre at RAF Bicester. There are however 10 instructors for the JSAT(G) centre who are required to undertake training and qualify as gliding instructors. Additionally, there are 900 volunteer instructors for the Air Cadet Organisation Volunteer Gliding Schools.