OFFICER COMMANDING (OC)

Sqn Ldr E D Griffith RAFVR(T) - A2* Category

After serving with the RAF as a Fighter Controller in the mid 1970s, Sqn Ldr Griffith started gliding with 634 VGS at St Athan in 1982, flying the T21 Sedbergh "vintage" glider. Commissioned initially as a RAFVR(T) officer with 1148 (Penarth) Sqn ATC, he became Adjutant at the VGS in the mid 1980s, during which time the VGS converted to the modern high performance Viking glider, followed by appointment to CFI in 1994. Promoted to Sqn Ldr and appointed as Commanding Officer in April 1996 he oversaw the Sqn's conversion to the Vigilant motor-glider in 2003.

CHIEF FLYING INSTRUCTOR (CFI)

Sql Ldr I Jones RAFVR(T) - A2* Category

Sqn Ldr Jones started gliding with 634 VGS at St Athan in 1968, flying the MK3 and the T21 Sedbergh "vintage" glider. Commissioned initially as a RAFVR(T) officer with 30F (Cardiff) Sqn ATC, has been supernumerary with 634VGS until the present time. Later the VGS converted to the modern high performance Viking glider - in all some 15,000 launches in conventinal winch launched gliders. His primary duty is Regional Sports Officer for Wales and West Region appointed in 1976.

DEPUTY CHEIF FLYING INSTRUCTOR (DCFI) / TECH OFFICER

Flt Lt S Arrowsmith RAFVR(T) - A2* Category

During his time as a cadet on 247 ATC sqn , Fl Lt Arrowsmith gained his Basic Gliding training solo wings with 631VGS at RAF Sealand on the Viking T1 in 1990. Shortly afterwards he left the ATC and his native Lancashire to pursue a career in Aerospace Engineering. A chance meeting with the CFI of 634 VGS saw him recruited on to the squadron in July 1996 as a MT / Winch driver. Since then he has progressed through the grades on both Viking T1 and then the Vigilant T1 airframes and was commission in the RAFVR(T) in 2001. Currently an A2* instructor, he holds the positions of Squadron technical officer and squadron Deputy Chief Flying Instructor.

ADMIN OFFICER

CGI A Arrowsmith - C Category

Angela started off as a cadet on 415 (Merthyr) Sqn. After completing her BGT, she join 634VGS as a staff cadet on Vikings. Apart from a brief departure to the Royal Navy in 2000, she had remained a member of staff on 634 VGS since 1997. Whilst being an instructor she also carries out the role of Admin officer, and is in charge of any Sqn BBQs!

CGI G Tucker - C Category

CGI Gareth J M Tucker joined the Air Training Corps in Sep 1998 and spent 5 years at Caerleon squadron (1367) Newport, before leaving to attend university.

During his time at 1367, Gareth was appointed as a CWO and gained a number of qualifications and experiences including flying experience in the Bulldog, Viking, Tutor and Katana. He also completed his Gliding and Flying Scholarship.

In 2003 Gareth moved to Swansea to further his education, where he completed a degree in computer science and business information technology. While attending university Gareth also became a member of the University of Wales Air Squadron (UWAS). He spent three years as an officer cadet and one year as a pilot officer in the squadron senior student role. Whist on UWAS Gareth gained further flying experience on the Tutor covering various flying disciplines. While on the squadron Gareth attended a number of events including a Royal Garden Party and won a number of awards, including 'The Welsh Livery Guild Leadership Award 2007'.

In 2006 he joined 634 VGS, and after 8 hours of flying the vigilant he passed as a grade 1 pilot. He has been a C category instructor since April 2007 and wishes to pursue a career in Aviation or Business.

Gareth's hobbies include: Golf, Squash, Swimming and Gym fitness. He has an interest in Business, Computing, Photography and Food & Wine.

DEPUTY TECH OFFICER / MT OFFICER (MTO) / WEB MANAGER

CGI P Barry - C Category

An Air Cadet in the mid 1990s to early 2000s, CI Barry completed a Gliding Scholarship at St Athan in the conventional Viking glider. After a chance encounter with his past gliding instructor in Cardiff in 2007, he joined 634 as a Civilian Instructor. He has since completed another GS in the Vigilant motor-glider as well as progressing to a C Category pilot as of May 2009.

SUPPLY OFFICER / IT MANAGER

CGI M Warne - Grade 2

I grew up in my teens within the Armed forces as a way of life and was also a Cadet myself back in 1987 where I joined number 5 Overseas Training Crops out at Royal Air Force Laarbruch in Germany, managed to get to Flight Sergeant after 4 years, loads of Summer Camps, Plane rides...but the best of all was when I got my wings with the ATC, I was lucky to be one of the first cadets to go solo in the Grob 109 Vigilant when it came into service back in 1990 at RAF Syerston the home of Central Gliding School for Volunteer Gliding School Instructors.

I left the Air Cadets in April 1991 to join the Royal Air Force, in which the training I got from being a Air Cadet really did give me that extra bit of help to get through my basic and trade training in the Royal Air Force. Now I am out of the RAF and I feel its time to put some time back into the system to help and teach others...

I applied and joined 634 VGS as a Civilian Glider Instructor (CGI) back in 2005 when I was working for the M.o.D supporting IT for RAF St Athan, I have duties on the School the first being Supply side of things (flying kit etc.) and of course the second is the School IT equipment.

ASSISTANT TO SUPPLY OFFICER / ASSISTANT TO ADMIN OFFICER

CGI C Higgins - Grade 1

Claire joined 2193 Prestatyn Sqn ATC in 1995 and left the corps as a CWO in August 2002. She completed her gliding scholarship in the Viking T1 at 631VGS RAF Sealand in June 1999. In Spring 2007, Claire saw an advert in the local press that 634VGS needed to recruit new staff members and decided that she wanted to help the squadron out so she rejoined the corps as a CGI in April 2007.

FLIGHT SAFETY OFFICER (FSO) / UNIT HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICER (UHSO) / FOD OFFICER

CGI N Jones - C Category

C.G.I. Jones' first ever flight was in a Chipmunk in 1990 whilst an Air Cadet on Pencoed 2426 Sqn. He managed to log several A.E.F. powered hours and a flight in a Venture Motor Glider before visiting 636 V.G.S. (Swansea) where he would learn to fly the Viking Glider and later complete his I.G.T. & B.G.T. courses.

In 1996 he joined the University of Wales Air Sqn based at RAF St Athan as an Officer Cadet RAF(VR) Pilot, where he learnt to put the Bulldog T MK1 through it's paces along the beautiful heritage coast line where 634 V.G.S. currently operate today. During this time and whilst on UK and overseas detachments C.G.I. Jones got to fly low-level and air-to-air combat training sorties in several aircraft including the Hawk T MK 1, Hercules C130, T38 jet trainer, to name but a few.

Today C.G.I. Jones holds a private pilots licence as well as a position on the Sqn as a Civilian Gliding Instructor.

CGI M Griffiths - Under Training

CGI Mike Griffiths is an ex cadet of 1092 (Bridgend) Sqn which he joined at around 16. He had done a variety of cadet activities including shooting, air recognition competitions, drill competitions, Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award and a flight in a Bulldog shortly before the Tutors took over. He had also done a FAM and GIC in the Grob G-103 'Viking' T1 and whilst visiting 634 for some further flying had a spot of luck with attaining a chance to do a Gliding Scholarship. This was completed and he was offered the opportunity to further his flying training with an AGT course and to also become a Flight Staff Cadet on 634 VGS. He took this opportunity in early 2000 and quickly progressed through the grades, eventually leaving the squadron in September 2001 having attained Grade 1 status. He had also attended a week course ridge soaring in Portmoak, Scotland.
A chance encounter with the Squadrons CFI in Sep 2008 has seen Mike return to the VGS to pick up where he left off; albeit in a slightly different aircraft ("These ones have air conditioning!"). Mike is hoping to quickly progress back to Grade 1 status and then strive to attain a C Cat Instructor's grade.
Mike currently works in IT and his other hobbies include cars and motorsport, radio control cars/aircraft and he is also a keen photographer.

CI I de Montet-Guerin - Certificate to Instruct

CGI S Mackie - Under Training

CGI Stuart Mackie has recently joined the Squadron upon transfer from 1344 Squadron ATC (Cardiff) where he served as a Civilian Instructor for 5 years. His interest in air sports began at the age of 17 when he did his first parachute jump with the Parachute Regiment and continued after his Army career to free-fall parachute, completing over 340 jumps. Upon joining the Royal Air Force Police, his first taste of gliding was in 1989 after winning 3 flights in a winch launched Viking at RAF Laarbruch in Germany. After a brief introduction to Flex-Wing Micro-light flying, (too wet and cold) he strived to attain his Private Pilots Licence, flying his first solo in a Piper Tomahawk at Cardiff Airport in 2002 and has over 60 hours experience.
CGI Mackie is currently a Police Sergeant Firearms officer and is based at Hereford. He lives in Cardiff with his wife and two young sons. A qualified lawyer and the ability to communicate in Russian and German, he has a passion for learning and gets great satisfaction in passing on his skills and knowledge to others. Combined with his interest in aviation, his service with the Squadron will be most fulfilled.

CGI A Roberts - Grade 1

Cadet Warrant Officer Adam Roberts joined 1344 Sqn (Cardiff) in July of 2005. Following completion of a Gliding scholarship in February 2006 with 634 VGS, he joined them as a flight staff cadet in April 2006.

During his time in the Air Cadets, Adam has had a wide variety of experiences.
He has represented Wales & West region at Core Aircraft recognition twice, and is currently second in the corps, and has also won 'Bearshead' Adventure training camp twice.

He completed his Duke of Edinburgh expedition in Australia and after winning a prize in the Duke of Westminster awards, visited South Africa for three weeks to travel and undertake charity work. He also recently visited Texas as part of the International Air Cadet exchange, and is a graduate of the gruelling 'Junior Leaders' course.

Adam has a keen interest in Photography, however, flying is his main passion, and he is halfway towards a Private pilot's license, thanks to the Air cadet Pilot scheme, and a RAFA flying scholarship.
He attained Grade 1 Pilot status on the Vigilant T1 in August of 2007, and in the future, would like to join the Armed Forces as a Pilot- though if this fails, he will be happy in the civilian world!

CGI R Gibson - C Category

Born 1989 in Dubai (U.A.E), Began the first few years of my education out in the U.A.E and then moved back to the U.K in 1999 studied further for my A levels which I obtained in summer 2007 and currently I am studying forensic science
            My first every air experience flight was in April 2003 after joining 1092 (Bridgend) squadron in February 2003, since then I have managed to gain the rank of sergeant and obtain a flying scholarship in 2005 that excelled me through my AGT and up to my current grade 1 status.
            In my spare time I enjoy flying remote controlled model aircraft, when I am not doing that I am either tinkering with my mini, doing up hill rallying for my sponsors as part of the BCCC or relaxing, fishing and on a rare occasion horse riding.

FCS N Griffiths - Grade 1

I joined the Air Training Corps early 2004 and I am presently at 212 (Risca) Squadron, where I have attained the rank of Sergeant. My first GIC flight in 2004 was with CI Glyn Lewis, and later in 2006 I started my Gliding Scholarship - a course I would finish in early 2007 due bad whether conditions. I was then been invited back to the Squadron as a Flight Staff Cadet and later completed my AGT in the summer of that year. As of May 2008 I have achieved my wings as a Grade 1 Pilot.

CGI S Link - C Category

I have always had a keen interest in aviation from a young age after a visit to an air show. With this I joined the Air Training Corps in March 2003, at the age of 13 with 2213 (City of Llandaff) Sqn.  I had my first gliding experiences at 625VGS on the Viking Glider, however completed my final GIC exercise at 634VGS at MOD St Athan with Sqn Ldr Griffith in November 2006.
I began my Gliding Scholarship in February 2007, completing the syllabus the following July. I was then offered the opportunity to undertake an AGT course that October and upon successful completion of this I was appointed as a Flight Staff Cadet, progressing then to a Grade 2 pilot in February 2008, and the further progressing to a Grade 1 pilot during the squadron's detachment to 636VGS at Swansea Airport in October 2008.
 During my time with the Air Cadets I also completed a 12 hour flying scholarship with Tayside Aviation, in Dundee, on the Grob Heron in the summer 2008. I am currently studying for an MSc in Geography at Swansea University along with being an Officer Cadet with the University of Wales Air Squadron also located at MoD St Athan thus allowing me to continue my services with 634 Volunteer Gliding Squadron.

FSC T Nation - Grade 1

I have been in the corps since May 2005 and am currently a Cpl on 1004 Pontypridd Sqn. I've always had a keen interest in aviation and jumped at the chance to attend a Gliding Scholarship on the Vigilant during May 2008. After gaining my silver wings I was given the opportunity to start my AGT and become a flight staff cadet. I have also attended the land command leadership course at Frimley Park as well as representing number 1 welsh wing in rugby, football, swimming, aircraft modelling and aircraft recognition.
I am currently attending Y Pant comprehensive school studying A Levels in maths, geography, biology and drama. My ambition in life is to become a pilot in the RAF, or if all else fails a multi millionaire actor or something along those lines would do just fine!

FSC I Acreman - Under Training

I joined the Air Training Corps in October 2005 on 2423 (Treorchy) Sqn on which I now hold the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer . I undertook my GIC 1 and 2 on the 21st February 2007 with Flt Lt Arrowsmith and further completed GIC 3 on the 15 December the same year with the same pilot. I began my gliding scholarship on the following May of which I achieved my silver wings for completing a solo flight. After completing this I was given the opportunity to become a flight staff cadet and go on to do my AGT.

I am currently attending Tonypandy Community College where I am studying A levels in Geography and Design Technology.

After being in the Air Training Corps for the past few years I have come to realise that it was the best decision I have ever made and that it has been the best time of my life. I therefore would like to become an adult instructor on my current Sqn to pass on the experience and knowledge that others have passed on to me.