Officers

Officers on the gliding school staff may be divided into those with an executive position on the school and those who are supernumery. Executive officers on the school have a Volunteer Reserve commission in order to be able to carry out the duties of their post.

Supernumery officers have a commission for some other duty. They may be staff members on an ATC Squadron or CCF unit, in which case they will also have a Volunteer Reserve commission or they may actually be full time serving officers in the regular Royal Air Force.

Civilian Gliding Instructors

Civilian Gliding Instructors (CGIs) are the other type of adult staff on a gliding school in the same way as on an ATC squadron, for example. Nearly all have been cadets previously and started their gliding training with either a Gliding Scholarship or one of its predecessors. Having left the cadets however and not having had the time or opportunity to be a member of staff on an ATC squadron or CCF unit they may then become CGIs on the gliding school. CGIs may hold any flying grade but may not act as executives on the school

Flight Staff Cadets

When a cadet has successfully completed a Gliding Scholarship and has been recommended for further training, they have the opportunity to become a flight staff cadet (FSC) on the school. They will work to complete their Advanced Glider Training as well as learning how to do the numerous tasks that exist on the ground such as glider retrieves, cable retrieves and winching. They will then, along wih junior CGIs work towards achieving a higher pilot grade.

Summary

While rank on the gliding school is an important factor in determining such things as who can hold an executive position, the emphasis on a gliding school is put very much on teamwork. Also, it is not uncommon for lower ranking people to be in charge of people of higher ranks, simply because they are of a higher grade and thus have more experience.