Thousands of young Air Cadets will find it more difficult to gain valuable flying experience after a “ludicrous” and “short-sighted” decision to disband more than half their volunteer glider squadrons it is claimed.

Many of the next generation of Britain’s military and civilian pilots will now have to travel hours across the country to get their first taste of flying because the MoD is trying to save “peanuts”.

The cuts are likely to cause a fall in young recruits signing up for an organisation that traditionally proves a springboard for young men and women wanting to join the RAF and aerospace industry, air leaders warn.

A total of 14 of 26 volunteer glider squadrons are being disbanded in an overhaul of cadet flying designed to get the organisation’s aircraft airborne again after gliders have been grounded for two years over safety fears.