632 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, based at RAF Tern Hill in Shropshire, provides gliding training to cadets from West Mercian, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Staffordshire, No. 2 & 3 Welsh Wings of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, as well as local Combined Cadet Force (RAF) Units. Using the Viking winch-launched Glider, 632 carries out Blue, Bronze, Silver and Gold wings training for hundreds of cadets every year.
632 is the oldest of the 10 Gliding Squadrons throughout the UK, and is staffed entirely by volunteers. These comprise RAF Volunteer Reserve Officers, Aircrew Non-commissioned officers, Civilian Gliding Instructors and often serving forces personnel as supernumerary staff. The adult staff are assisted by a team of Flight Staff Cadets, current cadets who themselves have completed Silver Wings training, flying the aircraft to solo standard. In 2008, the Squadron set a record when, following the annual inspection of operations and instructional standards by Central Flying School, the unit was assessed as 'Excellent' for the third consecutive year. This record has continued, and January 2012 saw 632 once again assessed as 'Excellent', extending the record to 7 consecutive years.
