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New Squadron Crest Adopted By 634 VGS
We are delighted to announce that at last 634 VGS has adopted a new Sqn crest! It has been 5 years since the Sqn converted to the Vigilant motor-glider and the previous Sqn crest depicted a Viking conventional glider, so a new design was required.
Despite several attempts, the Sqn was unable to come up with a design that everyone liked. HQAC turned down one design as it incorporated the “Royal” crown, and the Sqn CO, Sqn Ldr Ed Griffith, turned down several ideas which all included the ubiquitous dragon. He wanted a badge that would still be relevant no matter where we fly and in what type of aircraft. Eventually, the Sqn Technical Officer, Flt Lt Steve Arrowsmith came up with a design that everyone was pleased with and badges were obtained for our flying suits.
The crest depicts the yellow cross on black background of St David (not a lot of people know that!), with the wise owl, the emblem of a teacher, superimposed. It is denied that the owl implies that we tend to fly late into the evening although it’s true that after a few hours sitting in a Vigilant cockpit, most of us would have an expression like that! The motto is Welsh for “Flying ahead”, however, the Boss, who is not a Welsh speaker, is convinced it means, “Bloody rain again!”
We look forward to showing off our new badge both at Swansea Airport, where the Sqn is currently operating, and at St Athan on our return in a few months’ time. With luck, the badge will still be relevant and in use by our future staff cadets in 100 years’ time, when they go to the moon in their space gliders for their summer camp!
Special Notice: Detachment to Swansea (636 VGS)
Runway 08 / 26 at St Athan, which is due to be refurbished during the latter half of 2008
With the main runway at St Athan due to be refurbished by contractors over the next few months, the Sqn was faced with the dilemma of where to conduct their take-offs and landings. Various options were considered and rejected and in the end, it was decided that we would detach to Swansea Airport and operate in conjunction with our sister Sqn, 636 VGS.
The infrastructure was already in place; sufficient space in the hangar for our 2 aircraft, and enough room in the 636 VGS HQ to accommodate our staff, so all we had to do was to fly the aircraft to Swansea. We planned to do this over the last weekend in June. The Sqn held a farewell barbecue at their St Athan HQ on Saturday 28th and everything was ready on Sunday morning for the short flight to Swansea. However, the cloud base was too low for our aircraft to get airborne, so the transit was put on hold.
The following Tuesday, 1st July, the weather was considered to be suitable and the CO and CFI prepared to fly to Swansea. There was a short delay when the wind started to gust over the aircraft crosswind limit, but when it abated slightly, we got airborne.
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| Lined up ready for departure, runway 08 | “Changing to Cardiff Approach, good-bye” |
The flight to Swansea was uneventful, although the visibility was deteriorating and the cloud base was lowering. Nevertheless, when we arrived over Swansea bay, conditions were still sufficiently good for us to carry out a short familiarization trip around the Gower coastline before landing on runway 22 at Swansea.
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| Leaving controlled airspace at Ogmore, en-route to Swansea |
The following weekend, the 634 VGS staff travelled to Swansea for the first time to become acquainted with their new operation. Although it was wet and windy on the Saturday, preventing flying, the opportunity was taken to brief thoroughly all staff on the local procedures, before most of the staff joined the 636 VGS staff at a local pub for a meal and meet-and-greet in the evening.
On the Sunday, although very gusty, conditions permitted flying, so all the 634 VGS staff carried out familiarization sorties in the circuit and surrounding area accompanied by 636 VGS senior instructors.
After a short period of work-up, we look forward to flying cadets in our new operating area once more.
General News:
Belated Congratulations: A belated congratulations to FSC Link upon achieving Grade 1 pilot and therefore his wings. He has already attended a week long GIC course where he had plenty of opportunity to use his new status. Well done! Added: Wed 12th Nov 2008 |
CGI Promotion: CGI N Jones was recently awarded his Grade 1 pilot status and therefore his wings! We all wish him the best for the future and hope he progresses onto C Category in no time at all. Added: Mon 11th Aug 2008 |