Meet the team...
The team at 634 is made up Commissioned Officers RAFVR(T), Civilian Gliding Instructors (CGI) and Flight Staf Cadets (FSC).
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OFFICER COMMANDING (OC) Sqn Ldr E D Griffith RAFVR(T) - A2* Catagory 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
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CHIEF FLYING INSTRUCTOR (CFI) Sql Ldr I Jones RAFVR(T) - A2* Catagory 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. |
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DEPUTY CHEIF FLYING INSTRUCTOR (DCFI) / TECH OFFICER / MT OFFICER / SUPPLY OFFICER Flt Lt S Arrowsmith RAFVR(T) - A2* Catagory 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 T1airframes and was commission in the RAFVR(T) in 2001. Currently an A2* instructor, he holds the positions of Squadron technical officer, MT officer, Supply officer and squadron Deputy Chief Flying Instructor.
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ADJUTANT CGI A Arrowsmith - C Catagory 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! |
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APO R Curran - C Catagory Pilot Officer Rob Curran joined the Air Training Corps at the age of 13 and spent 5 years as a member of 2117 (Kenfig Hill) Sqn before leaving in late 2005 to attend university. Whilst in the Corps, Rob attained the classification of Staff Cadet and gained the rank of CWO. He also completed a Gliding Scholarship with 634 VGS at the age of 16 and was subsequently asked to remain with the Squadron to complete his Advanced Gliding Training. After completion of AGT, Rob joined the squadron as a Flight Staff Cadet and attained the classifcation of G1 Pilot in September 2005.
As a student at Swansea University studying Aerospace Engineering, Rob was accepted to become a member of the University of Wales Air Squadron in December 2005. Based at MOD St Athan and flying the Grob Tutor, he continued his membership with and subsequently became a supernumery member of 634 VGS.
At present Rob is studying in his fourth and final year at Swansea for an MEng in Aerospace Engineering, and has been a 'C' category instructor since April 2007. He holds a position as one of the senior students at UWAS and as such has held the rank of Pilot Officer since September 2007.
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CGI G Tucker - C Catagory 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, '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. |
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CGI P Barry - Grade 1 An Air Cadet in the mid 1990’s to early 2000’s, 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 Grade 1 pilot. |
CGI C Higgins - Under Training 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. |
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CGI M Warne - Under Training 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. |
CGI N Jones - Grade 1 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. |
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FSC 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 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. |
FSC R Gibson - Grade 1 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 |
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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. |
FSC S Link - Grade 1 I have been a member of the Air Training Corps since March 2003 at 2213 (City of Llandaff) Sqn where I hold the rank of Sgt. I had my first gliding experiences at 625VGS on the Viking Glider, however I completed my GIC 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 afforded the opportunity to undertake an AGT that October and, on completion of this I was accepted as a Flight Staff Cadet, so far progressing to Grade 2 which I achieved in February this year. In my time with the Air Cadets I have also completed a 12 hour flying scholarship with Tayside Aviation, in Dundee, on the Grob Heron in the summer 2008. I’m hoping to begin university in September to study Geography at Swansea in which I also aim to join UWAS and remain gliding at 634VGS. |
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FSC T Nation - Under Training 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. |
FSC I Acreman - U/T
I joined the Air Training Corps in October 2005 on 2423 (Treorchy) Sqn on which I now hold the rank of Flt Sgt. 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 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. |
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