On Saturday 20 June 2026, while most of the UK was still fast asleep, four Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGS) were already hitting the airfields. To celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, volunteers prepared to deliver an unforgettable, marathon day of aviation for the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.
From dawn until dusk, aircraft from 661 VGS, 644 VGS, 622 VGS, and 612 VGS dominated the skies, proving exactly what the air cadet experience is all about.
The sheer scale of the day’s operations required monumental effort from pilot instructors, ground crews, and project volunteers. In total, 348 cadets took to the skies across more than 400 launches. This massive logistical feat spanned nearly 17 hours of continuous flight operations, kicking off with the first launch at the exact moment of sunrise at 04:37 hours and running all the way through to a final twilight landing at 21:36 hours.
From Sunrise to Sunset
Spanning four different airfields across the country, the teams worked seamlessly to keep the momentum going. Thanks to their incredible efficiency, more than 350 cadets were able to experience the thrill of airborne flight, with some squadrons running operations straight through to a final twilight landing at 21:36 hours.
For many of the cadets on board, the experience was nothing short of transformative.
"This was the best experience of my life."
– RAF Air Cadet
Powered by Volunteers
An operation of this magnitude doesn't happen without the dedication of adult volunteers who give up their time to inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts. From the ground crews ensuring safety on the airfield to the escorting staff who transport the cadets, the solstice marathon was a true teamwork.
The impact of their hard work was felt by everyone involved, as echoed by one of the escorting volunteers, WO K Collier:
"I would just like to say a massive thank you to you and all those involved in making today happen. I left with four very happy buzzing cadets."
Looking to the horizon
The Summer Solstice launch marathon of 2026 will go down as a resounding success, showcasing the very best of the RAF Air Cadets: adventure, resilience, skill, and sheer joy.
Gp Capt Baz Dale, Comdt 2 FTS, said:
“I am incredibly proud of all my VGS teams who took part in these outstanding operations. I often say that the magic does not happen without our amazing CFAVs, and this is a perfect example of that! Well done, to everyone who took part; it is wonderful to see so many of our air cadets being safely launched skywards in one day.”
Group Captain Dale
Commandant No 2 Flying Training School
Are you ready to take to the skies? To find out more about how to join as a cadet or adult volunteer, visit our recruitment page today.