Flying/Gliding Days are considered mandatory activities for advancement in the program. Each cadet needs to have at least one flight per year (either in glider or powered aircraft) to be able to complete their level and be eligible for promotion.

Gliding is a treat that few youth or adults ever get to experience. It is flight without an engine. The glider has much longer wings than a normal plane of its size to allow it to do away with an engine. A tow plane tows the glider to the required altitude, upon which time, the glider pilot releases the tow line and it is set free to fly like a bird – there is no experience like it. Within about 15 minutes, the glider is ready to land near where it took off and within a few minutes it is loaded up and ready to take off again.

There are only two seats in the glider so a pilot can only take one cadet at a time. Since there are only two gliders available, there is a limit to the number of flights that may be achieved in the day.

For Gliding Days, the squadron charters a school bus and takes a group of 40 cadets to the Smith Falls airport where the league provided gliders and tow planes reside.

We always have sports equipment with us so that the cadets are occupied while waiting their turn. Also, the cadets receive other training while they are at the airport, including walking tours of small aircraft, discussions of airport operations, model rockets, etc. Since cadets are there for the entire day, it is imperative that they be dressed for any possible weather conditions that may occur during the day since virtually the entire time is spent outside. The school bus is on site the entire time should shelter from the elements be required, however, cadets who are on the flight line do not have quick access and are exposed.

Should the weather turn unfavourable (eg the wind too strong or the visibility become too low for the cadet guidelines), flying may come to a temporary halt, the day may end early, or the day may be canceled before it is even begun (in the last case, it is usually re-booked to another date).

The sponsoring committee sets up a small canteen and provides hot dogs, drinks, and snacks for a small fee. On colder days, hot chocolate is provided at no charge.

Since only 40 cadets may go to a given gliding day, it is imperative that the staff have as much advance notice as possible for cancellation so that it may be possible to give the opportunity to someone else.