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645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron

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The official page of 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Topcliffe. Res Multis Nova - For many a first. This page will have news, pictures and videos.

This page is for all; students, visitors, staff and past members of 645 VGS. It will also contain information for visitors and students, if you have any questions please post them below, and we'll do our best to answer them.

01/11/2026

✈️🥈Silver Wings For Amelia Wilson! 🥈✈️

Sergeant Amelia Wilson, from 1869 (Middlesbrough) Squadron, Central & East Yorkshire Wing, embarked on her Gliding Scholarship (GS) Course with 645 VGS a few months ago. She has attended the unit regularly despite other squadron commitments and poor weather, studying hard in all areas of the GS Syllabus.

Yesterday, after a successful check flight with 645 VGS Officer Commanding, Squadron Leader Andy Sweetmore, she managed her first solo from RAF Topcliffe. Well done Amelia, from all the staff team at 645 VGS. Wear your Silver Wings with pride!

Central & East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School
Commandant Air Cadets
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
1869 Middlesbrough Squadron RAFAC

Photo: Sgt Amelia Wilson is congratulated on her first solo by 645 VGS OC, Sqn Ldr Andy Sweetmore.

27/10/2026

❤️ A Final Farewell to Flight Lieutenant Andrew (Andy) Lees, RAFVR(T)

Members of 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron recently gathered at RAF Topcliffe for a poignant and fitting tribute to our much-missed friend and colleague, Flight Lieutenant Andy Lees.

Current and former members of both 645 and 635 Volunteer Gliding Squadrons came together around the airfield windsock to remember Andy, share memories of his remarkable service and pay their final respects.

During the gathering, Andy’s ashes were scattered at the airfield, a place that had been such an important part of his life and where he had dedicated so many years to inspiring generations of young people through gliding.

The occasion brought together friends and colleagues from across the years, reflecting the lasting friendships Andy had built throughout his long and distinguished service with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

Having served with both 635 and 645 VGS, Andy played a significant role in the history of both squadrons. His passion for gliding, unwavering commitment to cadet development and genuine care for those around him left an enduring impression on everyone fortunate enough to have known him.

It was particularly fitting that Andy’s final farewell took place beside the windsock, overlooking the airfield where he had spent so many happy years helping others take to the skies.

Although Andy is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through the countless cadets he inspired, the pilots he helped train and the many friendships he formed along the way.

Our thoughts remain with Andy’s wife, Lilian, his daughter, Nicola, and all his family and friends.

Blue skies and tailwinds, Andy. Your final flight may be complete, but your memory will forever remain part of 645 and 635 VGS. ❤️

Per Ardua Ad Astra

2 Flying Training School
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets

19/10/2026

🥇✈️🙌🏻 Gold Wings For Josh Emsley! 🙌🏻✈️🥇

Yesterday, we saw another 645 VGS Flight Staff Cadet (FSC) achieve their RAFAC Gold Wings.

Cadet Josh Emsley, from 2527 (Lawnswood) Squadron, Central & East Yorkshire Wing, continues to attend the unit regularly alongside his commitments at The York Gliding Club, Rufforth. Incidentally, this is where he has recently gained his Civilian Sailplane Licence - Another fantastic achievement for a promising young aviator.

Well done on earning your RAFAC Gold Wings Josh, next stop Grade 2!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force
Central & East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC
2527 Lawnswood Squadron Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School

Photo: Cdt Josh Emsley receives his Gold Wings from 645 VGS Instructor, Sgt Craig Pratt.

11/10/2026

✈️ NATIONAL CADET WEEK 2026

What a fantastic way to round off National Cadets Week at 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, RAF Topcliffe!

Over this weekend, our dedicated team delivered 24 Gliding Induction Flights (GIFs), three times our usual weekend tasking of eight cadets!

For many of the cadets, this was their very first experience of flight, providing an unforgettable opportunity to take to the skies, experience gliding first-hand and see the world from a completely different perspective.

Behind every successful launch is an incredible team effort. A huge thank you goes to our volunteer gliding instructors, ground staff and supporting staff, whose dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm make these opportunities possible. We also extend our thanks to the visiting squadron staff for their support throughout the day.

As National Cadets Week 2026 draws to a close, we’re proud to celebrate not only the fantastic opportunities available to young people through the RAF Air Cadets, but also the commitment of the volunteers who give their time to inspire the next generation.

Gliding is about so much more than getting airborne. It’s about building confidence, developing teamwork, overcoming challenges and inspiring a lifelong passion for aviation.

24 cadets flown. Three times our usual tasking. One fantastic team! 💙

National Cadets Week may be coming to an end, but at 645 VGS, the opportunities to inspire young aviators continue! 🛫

North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School
Commandant Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets

04/10/2026

✈️🏆 First Solo On The Viking T1 For Glider Pilot James! 🏆✈️

Yesterday, Sgt James Horton from 2434 (Church Fenton) Sqn, flew his first solo on the Viking T1 at RAF Topcliffe.

Sgt Horton joined us as a Flight Staff Cadet earlier in the year and already has a Civilian Sailplane Licence, having amassed plenty of gliding experience at nearby Sutton Bank. As a qualified fixed wing pilot, he will take a short course of training directly to Grade 1 where he will be able to fly our visiting cadets.

It may not have been his first solo, but it was his first solo in one of His Majesty's aircraft - Well done James, from all your colleagues at 645 VGS, RAF Topcliffe!

Royal Air Force
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School
Central & East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC
2434 Church Fenton Squadron Air Training Corps
Commandant Air Cadets

Photo: Sgt James Horton is congratulated by 645 CFI, Flt Lt Jordan Cameron after his first solo.

25/09/2026

✈️🎉🏆 Congratulations Sergeant Jake Saynor - RAFAC’s newest Qualified Gliding Instructor! 🏆🎉✈️

After an intensive week of flying at CGS, RAF Syerston, we’re pleased to learn that Sgt Jake Saynor has qualified as a B2 Instructor.

He has been an integral part of 645 VGS for a number of years, progressing through the ranks as a Flight Staff Cadet alongside his duties at 1953 (Knaresborough) Squadron. After qualifying as a G1, he amassed plenty of launches giving many cadets their first taste of flight in the Viking T1. He will now be able to teach the full Gliding Scholarship syllabus and deliver associated groundschool to our course cadets.

Well done Jake, from all your colleagues at 645 VGS, RAF Topcliffe!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School
Commandant Air Cadets
Royal Air Force
Central & East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC
1953 Knaresborough Squadron Air Training Corps

Photo: Sgt Jake Saynor completes his B2 Instructor course at RAF Syerston, accepting his certificate from 2FTS OC Ops Wg, Wg Cdr Adey Hobson.

$✈️🏆 Cadet Warrant Officer Joel Hanley Solo At 645 VGS! 🏆✈️Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO) Joel Hanley, from 2460 (Pontefract...$

22/08/2026

✈️🏆 Cadet Warrant Officer Joel Hanley Solo At 645 VGS! 🏆✈️

Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO) Joel Hanley, from 2460 (Pontefract) Squadron, South & West Yorkshire Wing, embarked on his Gliding Scholarship (GS) Course with 645 VGS in May. He has attended the unit regularly despite other squadron commitments, studying hard in all areas of the GS Syllabus.

Today, after a successful check flight with 645 VGS Chief Flying Instructor Flt Lt Jordan Cameron, he managed his first solo from RAF Topcliffe. Well done Joel, from all the staff team at 645 VGS. Wear your Silver Wings with pride!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School
South & West Yorkshire Wing
Pontefract Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets

Photo: CWO Joel Hanley receives his Silver Wings from CFI, Flt Lt Jordan Cameron after his first solo.

16/08/2026

✈️☀️ Solo At Last For Dylan Westerby! ☀️✈️

Cadet Sgt Dylan Westerby, from 195 (Grimsby) Squadron, Central & East Yorkshire Wing, has attended the unit since November last year. Poor weather, and the usual frustrating crosswinds have hampered his progress. That said, he has shown resilience and determination in completing his course to solo standard.

Today, after a successful check flight with 645 VGS instructor Sqn Ldr Simon Johnston, he managed his first solo from RAF Topcliffe. Well done Dylan, from all the staff team at 645 VGS!

195 Grimsby Squadron ATC, Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force
2 Flying Training School
Central & East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC

Photo: Sgt Dylan Westerby receives his RAFAC Silver Wings from his instructor, Sqn Ldr Simon Johnston.

04/08/2026

Remembering Flight Lieutenant Andrew (Andy) Lees, RAFVR(T).

It is with great sadness that we learned this week of the passing of Flight Lieutenant Andrew (Andy) Lees, former Adjutant of 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron.

Andy dedicated the vast majority of his life to serving the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, primarily as a Volunteer Gliding Squadron instructor. He was initially attached to 635 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, then based at RAF Burtonwood. During the 1980s, the squadron relocated to BAE Samlesbury, where it remained for over 20 years. Following the closure of Samlesbury as an airfield in early 2009, 635 VGS co-located with 645 VGS at RAF Topcliffe before being officially disbanded in 2018.

As an A2* Gliding Instructor, Andy introduced countless cadets to the joy of flight, giving many their very first experience in the air and sending numerous others on their first solo flights. He often spoke with great pride about former cadets who had gone on to become RAF pilots, commercial airline pilots and senior officers. There is no doubt that many achieved remarkable careers, inspired by Andy’s encouragement, patience and unwavering commitment to developing young people.

Andy was instrumental in the successful move of 635 VGS across the Pennines and in establishing operations alongside 645 VGS at RAF Topcliffe. His calm, diplomatic and approachable nature ensured that both squadrons worked together seamlessly, fostering strong friendships and mutual respect between the staff of each unit.

Following the disbandment of 635 VGS, Andy joined 645 VGS as Adjutant, where he was welcomed with open arms. Even while facing ill health, he remained dedicated to the squadron, continuing to support its staff and cadets with characteristic professionalism and quiet determination for as long as he was able.

Andy was an outstanding member of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets and someone whose influence reached far beyond the airfield. His dedication, leadership and selfless service have left a lasting legacy through the thousands of young people whose lives he touched over many decades.

Everyone at 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron will remember Andy with immense affection, gratitude and respect. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his wife, Lilian, his daughter, Nicola, and all of his family and friends at this very difficult time.

Blue skies and tailwinds, Andy. Thank you for your friendship, your dedication and your remarkable service. You will be greatly missed. ❤️

2 Flying Training School
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force
Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps
Merseyside Wing Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
635 Volunteer Gliding Squadron

Photo: Flt Lt Andy Lees, RAFVR(T).

03/08/2026

✈️ LEEMING CAMP 2026 ✈️

This weekend, 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron were delighted to welcome eight Gliding Induction Flight (GIF) cadets from the RAF Leeming Summer Camp.

The cadets travelled from across North Region for the camp and, for every one of them, this was their very first experience of flying in cadets.

We were also pleased to be able to offer one of the visiting members of staff the opportunity to experience a glider flight, giving them an insight into the exciting flying opportunities available within the RAF Air Cadets

Back at camp they were given their ground school training by 642 Aerospace Ground School which qualified them for their Blue Wings!

We hope you all enjoyed your flights and look forward to welcoming you back to 645 VGS in the future!

North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

Photos: Cadets from RAF Leeming Summer Camp enjoying their first flights with 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron.

Address

RAF Topcliffe
Thirsk
YO73ED

Opening Hours

Friday	6:30pm - 10pm
Saturday	8:30am - 10pm
Sunday	8:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+441845595345

Website

http://www.645vgs.com/

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