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RCSU (Prairie) > Air Ops >

Image: Air Operations PatchFor the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Air Operations include the Air Cadet Gliding Programme, Power Pilot Scholarships, and familiarization flying. All air operations are the responsibility of the Region Cadet Air Operations Officer, headquartered at the Region Cadet Support Unit (Prairie), which is located in Manitoba.

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The Air Cadet Gliding Program (ACGP) is a fundamental part of the Air Cadet program in Prairie Region. The ACGP is a year round program consisting of a Spring and Fall Gliding Familiarization program, the Region Gliding School (Prairie) and the winter Structural Inspection and Repair Program (SIRP). The parameters governing all aspects of the ACGP are published in the A-CR-CCP-242/PT-005 Air Cadet Gliding Program Manual.


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Picture: Towplanes in formation The gliders, towplanes, winches, and support vehicles are owned by the provincial committees of Air Cadet League of Canada. The Department of National Defence has command and control of the aircraft, and operates the gliding programme on behalf of the Air Cadet League.

The Spring and Fall familiarization program is carried out at the nine Gliding Centres located throughout Prairie Region. Each Gliding Centre is dedicated to providing cadets with familiarization flights in gliders owned by the Provincial Air Cadet Leagues. Gliding Centres also provide an opportunity for cadets with their Glider Pilot License to gain experience.

The Region Gliding School (RGS), located in Gimli, Manitoba, provides an opportunity for approximately 65 Air Cadets from throughout Prairie Region to earn their Transport Canada Glider Pilot License. The RGS commences operation with the instructor and tow pilot training in mid-June and starts cadet glider pilot training the first week of July. The glider pilot course is six weeks long.


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The Structural Inspection and Repair Program (SIRP) is also conducted at Gimli from November to the end of March. All the aircraft within the fleet are rotated through the SIRP on a scheduled basis where they undergo a complete overhaul. This program extends the fleet's life into the foreseeable future. The aircraft maintenance facility is also tasked with ensuring that the region's aircraft are maintained and operational.

Picture: Pilot being towed Flying scholarships are awarded to selected cadets of age 17 or 18, who must complete qualifying exams and review boards. Flying training is contracted out to flying clubs and schools across Prairie Region. The course provides a Transport Canada Private Pilot Licence in a seven-week period during the summer.

Power Familiarization Flying can be organized by the local air cadet unit, or Summer Training Centre, and must be approved by the Region Cadet Air Operations Officer.