Most people collect air miles but Civilian Gliding Instructor James Parker a former CWO at 2438 (Bishop Ullathorne) Sqn has recently notched up 100 accumulated flying hours.

James has been involved with the Air Cadets for 7 years and completed his gliding scholarship when he was 16 years old. He achieved his Silver Wings and completed one Solo flight after 7hrs 55 minutes whilst training at 637 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS).

James was lucky enough to get selected to stay on 637 VGS as a Flight Staff Cadet after competing his glider scholarship and went on to achieve his Gold Wings by doing his advanced glider training. After 15 flying hours James achieved Grade Two status qualifying him to fly the aircraft solo. He then commenced his Grade One training. After another 15 hours of training and a gruelling flight test with the VGS's Chief Flying Instructor he was qualified to fly in the right hand instructor’s seat.

As a Grade One glider pilot James has flown over 80 cadets, many of whom whilst he was still a CWO. A large majority of cadets James has flown have gone on to apply and complete their own Gliding Scholarships.

As well as reaching his first major milestone, to achieve it James had the unique opportunity to fly his own cadets. Two cadets from Bishop Ullathorne Squadron, Andrew Reed and Callum Holland were shown the basic controls of the aircraft and even took control of the glider and piloted it themselves.

Cdt Reed said: “It was a wonderful experience which I thoroughly enjoyed, I can’t wait to experience it again,” James was extremely pleased he was not only helping with the gliding experience, but the two cadets also helped him reach this milestone.

James said: “This is my first major milestone and I am really please to achieve it. Hopefully there will be many more to come. This achievement would not have been possible without the staff at 637 VGS being so supportive and dedicated. I must also thank my CO at Bishop Ullathorne Squadron, Flt Lt Adams, for his continued support as well."

Flt Lt Nathan Adams added: “It is fantastic to see James being able to put back into the Air Training Corps a lot of what he benefited from as a cadet. The fact that he voluntarily gives up his spare time to fly the cadets and enable them to achieve so much in their time is a credit to James."