It’s an exciting time at the Air Cadet Historic Flight CIO right now! Having operated for many years as a simple association of members & friends we decided to broaden our aims to advance the heritage of Air Cadet Gliding for the public benefit, and become a registered charity, We formally registered as charity in January 2025 with this objective.
Operating Principles
The Air Cadet Historic Flight CIO Intends to:
- Operate as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, under the Association model. Under this we will make no payments to Trustees or members and all surplus proceeds will be retained for future investment in gliders, facilities or equipment.
- Own, restore and operate examples of vintage aircraft as used by the RAF Air Training Corps between 1945 and 1985 as well as associated ground equipment.
- Establish a permanent home where the collection can be housed and maintained and through this to provide education and information to the public interested in the history of Air Training Corps gliding .
- Base itself at the Bristol & Gloucestershire Gliding club and operate under BGA rules and the local regulations of the BGGC.
- Maintain a number of our aircraft in flying condition and in a state representative of their configuration during Air Cadet training (as far as is feasible). Demonstrate or exhibit aircraft at selected public events
- Enable Members who are qualified Sailplane Pilots to convert to flying these vintage types and maintain flying recency on appropriate types and/or provide air experience flying opportunities for Members
Next Steps
The ACHF has now been operating from Nympsfield since 2020. The club has provided a base for us to grow and a number of BGGC members have joined the ACHF and like our existing members are enjoying the chance to fly gliders which were commonplace in the 50’s and 60’s.
In January 2025 we established a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with voting members. The ACHF CIO will now seek external funding and establish a permanent “home” where the gliders can be kept, maintained and flown by Members, and be made available to the wider public to view for historic & educational purposes.
In order to achieve these long term goals the ACHF intends to build our own hanger & workshop at Nympsfield. Initial discussions have started between the ACHF Trustees, BGGC Committee and BGC Pty ( The company that owns the airfield and infrastructure) on the feasibility of this. Together we are looking at the potential for leasing a parcel of land somewhere on the North side of the field to allow the building of a suitable structure. We will need to establish exactly where best suits our needs and also fits in with club operations with minimum impact – all subject to planning permission of course.
There are many steps to be undertaken in this process, by the ACHF, BGC (Pty) and the Club, and final proposals will of course be reviewed with the BGGC members. If you would like to help us, support us or just be kept informed of progress why not consider getting in touch and maybe joining us as a member or associate, or making a donation?
Now our status is formalised we are seeking people to support the building of the hanger, if you are interested in this or maybe are considering a legacy to help preserve the Air Cadet heritage then please get in touch.