It’s an exciting time at the Historic Flight right now! Having operated for many years as a simple association of members & friends we believe that we now need to move on to the next stage.
Operating Principles
Once formed the Air Cadet Historic Flight will:
- Establish a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, under the Association model with the objective of the collection, restoration, maintenance and operation of historic air cadet gliders and associated equipment as a “living museum” to preserve the legacy of the UK Air Cadet movement
- Operate as a “not for profit” organisation, with no payments to directors or members and with all surplus proceeds retained for future investment in gliders, facilities or equipment
- Provide education and information to those interested in the history of Air Training Corps gliding through establishing a permanent home where the collection can be housed and maintained
- Base itself at the Bristol & Gloucestershire Gliding club and operate under BGA rules and the local regulations of the BGGC
- Own and operate examples of vintage aircraft as used by the RAF Air Training Corps between 1945 and 1985 as well as associated ground equipment
- Maintain those aircraft in flying condition and in a state representative of their configuration during Air Cadet training (as far as is feasible).
- Enable Members who are qualified Sailplane Pilots to convert to flying these vintage types and maintain flying recency on appropriate types.
- Provide air experience flying opportunities for Friends and Members
Next Steps
The HF has now been operating from Nympsfield for nearly 4 years. The club has provided a base for us to grow and over recent years a number of BGGC members have joined the HF group and like us are enjoying the chance to fly gliders which were commonplace in the 50’s and 60’s.
Our next steps will be the setting up of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with voting members. This new organisation will seek external funding and establish a permanent “home” where the gliders can be kept, maintained and flown by HF Members, as well as being made available to the wider public to view for historic & educational purposes.
In order to achieve these long term goals the Historic Flight will build their own hanger & workshop at Nympsfield. Initial discussions have started between the HF, 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 HF, 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 friend or making a donation ?
Once our status is formalised we will be 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.