Germany had the Nationalsozialistische Fliegerkorps (NSFK). Finland had the paramilitary Suomen Ilmapuolustusliitto (SIPL), at least Kyösti Karhila had glider training.flyingdoctor wrote:Germanys biggest ace , and Finlands biggest ace and Russian second best ace were all glider pilots before the war !
Coinsidence ? Do airforces still try to recrute young gliderpilots ?
I think air forces prefer to train their pilots from start, so civil glider training is not a big merit. At least the RAF and USAF have gliding in their cadet program.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/whatwed ... course.cfm
http://www.usafa.edu/tu/306ftg/94fts/programs.cfm