RSGC celebrates 2 more years funding for the popular MEF gliding bursary programme

Many RAF service personnel aspire to fly but never get the opportunity, and you don’t often get the chance to experience true flight and pilot an aircraft yourself harnessing just nature’s energy to achieve stay aloft.  For RAF personnel in Phase 2 training at either RAF Cosford or RAF Shawbury, this is just what the highly popular RAF Central Fund (RAFCF) supported Mechanics Endowment Fund (MEF) gliding bursary programme at RSGC achieves.

Funding allows 36 students per year to take to the air in a programme that covers:

• 9 x 2000ft Aerotows in an ASK21 (Ford Fiesta)

RSGC is at FIT4life at RAF Cosford

Running through her pre-flight checks, RAF Cosford MEF student Ester is with instructor and veteran Nick Lewinton

On the launch point at RAF Shawbury, it's an all girl crew as RAF Cosford MEF student Vicky takes a first flight with instructor Amelia.

Aero-tow launch toward the Breidden Hills. RAF Shawbury based Rust is with instructor and CFI Ian Gallacher

RAF Cosford MEF student Adam enjoys a trip above the clouds over RAF Shawbury

Perfect approach at RAF Shawbury

• 1 x 4000ft Aerotow in an ASK21 for an Aerobatic Lesson with an Aerobatic Instructor that gives the student an introduction to the stresses experienced by the airframe and human body

Aerobatics time and it's an inverted view of RAF Shawbury.

Which way am I headed? The MEF gliding bursary programme includes an aerobatic flight that allows students to experience the g-loading on the airframe and body.

• 1 x 1hr consolidate training flight in our Motor Glider

RAF Cosford MEF student Harry takes a training trip in the club motor glider with instructor Wg Cdr Colin Haynes RAFAC.

• Involvement in day-to-day maintenance tasks on powered and non-powered aircraft, supervised by Part 66 Licenced Aircraft Engineers.

Instruction in gel-coat repair to the wing of an ASK21 glider

Many hands make light work as our MEF students assist in refitting the wing to one of the club’s Motor Gliders.

The programme has been a resounding success with the 100th student taking to the air in August 2025.  Its popularity is such that there is a waiting list of applicants.

A number of students who wished to take their gliding journey to the next level have been successful with their application to the RAFGA for Go-Solo funding.

“The Two Harrys”. Both RAF Cosford based and started on the MEF gliding bursary programme. Both applied for RAFGSA Go-Solo funding and were sent solo on the same day.

Go-Solo and beyond for RAF Shawbury's Kieran who is briefed prior to his first flight in a single seater by instructor Geoff Matthews

From there the sky really is the limit as we have seen with a number of students who started their flying with the RSGC MEF gliding bursary programme and who have gone of to fly at their new station or even on the expeditions run by the RAFGSA to Sisteron in the Southern French Apls

RSGC instructor Sqn Ldr Alan Swan is in the French Aps with ex-RAF Cosford student Connor in the club ASK21 R22

Down below RAF Shawbury based Liam is in RSGC's ASK21 R22 flying in the Southern French Alps

The club are delighted, therefore, that the RAFCF have provided funding for the MEF gliding bursary programme for 2026 and 2027 and the programme will be expanded to include:

• 2 x 2000ft Aerotows in our Duo Discus Advanced Training Glider (Porsche 911)

On the launch point at Denbigh in our DuoDiscus R2 are RAF Cosford MEF student Becky and instructor Ian Gallacher

CFI Ian Gallacher said:

“Many thanks to the RAFCF for their amazing support for this popular programme, a programme that is more than just an introduction to gliding.  For many it is a chance to experience true flight and pilot an aircraft harnessing just nature’s energy to stay aloft.  It also becomes clear to our students that to get them into the air requires a whole team effort and, in so doing the programme also demonstrates a valuable opportunity for personal development, for confidence-building, and personal challenge.   The sense of achievement after their first flight piloting a glider is no different to that of any other pilot in the RAF completing their first flight.”