The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) has been flying at the Gawler Aerodrome in Association with the Adelaide Soaring Club, since 1969, when the First Flying bivouac was held over a weekend.
Cadets were towed aloft in K7 two seater gliders by either a Tiger Moth or by Auto Tow behind a vehicle.
The Cadets now have their own Self Launching Gliders a SF25 C Motor Falke and a G109 A. Cadets are also able to fly the Adelaide Soaring Fleet of two seater and solo sailplanes when qualified.
G109 A The Cadet Gliding Club (CGC) fly most weekends, offering training to solo, post solo training Flying bivouacs for various squadrons or solo and cross country flying for those cadets rated to do so.
Training courses are conducted most school holidays with cadets being accommodated at RAAF base Edinburgh and transiting daily to the Gawler Airstrip for flying training or to enjoy the thrill of soaring with the eagles in the solo aircraft even flying them cross country.
Many cadets are flying glider solo before they can drive a car. Glider pilots may fly solo at 15 years of age.
Some of the cadets that have trained with the CGC are now flying in the RAAF in Orion P3C, FA18’s or for the airlines. One female cadet started with us and is now flying 747 with Qantas.
You may join the AAFC at the early age of 12. 5 years and stay involved if you wish until you are 20 years old. Visit the AAFC web site for more details.