Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence - Air Force Cadets receive new self-launching gliders

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Darren Chester and the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown, AO today presented the Australian Air Force Cadets with their newest self-launching glider at the Australian International Airshow 2015, at Avalon.

“The new gliders are a great initiative which will help expose Air Force cadets to aviation training and flying skills,” Mr Chester said.

“The Air Force Cadets will receive 22 new gliders to be used throughout Australia, including 11 ASK-21 Mi self-launching gliders and 11 DG 1001 Club soaring gliders.”

Air Marshal Brown said the new gliders would provide more opportunities for cadets to undertake flying activities.

“The Australian Air Force Cadets is a youth development program, supported by Air Force. There is a strong emphasis on gliding and aeronautical skills. I am delighted that Air Force can provide these new gliders to support AAFC flying activities,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

Commander AAFC, Group Captain (AAFC) Greg Williamson, said he was most appreciative of Air Force for providing excellent gliders for the cadets.

“Over 66 gliding scholarships are awarded to our young cadets throughout Australia each year,” GPCAPT Williamson said.

“Currently seven of the ASK-21 Mi self-launching gliders have been delivered to cadet units in Stonefield, South Australia, Bathurst, NSW, and Warwick in Queensland, with four more to be delivered in mid-2015 to units in to Point Cook in Victoria and Charters Towers in Queensland.

“Eight DG 1001 Club gliders are also already being flown by cadet units in Bathurst, Warwick, Narrogin in Western Australia and Stonefield SA.” 

Members of the Air Force and general public interested in serving in the AAFC can contact their local AAFC Squadron via www.aafc.org.au.  

Media contacts:

Chloe Petch (Darren Chester's Office) (02) 6277 4029

Defence Media Operations: (02) 6127 1999