Page 24 - Cadet Review Spring 2020

SWY Wing ATC
Joshua Clark ready for his 'blue wings' flight, with Gurdeep Kumar-Sharma in the aircraft behind him
A BRONZE AGE FOR MIRFIELD AIR CADETS FLYING
The space of one week saw new achievements for members of 868 (Mirfield) Squadron. On Saturday 19th October Mitchell Breare (15) and Corporal Daniel Green (16) travelled to 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Syerston near Nottingham for a day, to undertake training for their Bronze Gliding Wings.
The course started with ground school training, including the controls of the aircraft and how they affect the glider in the air. They then progressed to practicing simulated flying in one of the Air Cadet Part Task Trainers, before going onto a series of three flights in the Air Cadets’ winch-launched Viking glider, to put all their learning into practice and demonstrate the skills they had been taught in the air.
Both enjoyed great success on the day, gaining their Bronze Gliding Wings, and now hope to be able to apply for the Silver Wings course, which will train them to solo standard.
Then, on Wednesday 23rd October other members enjoyed their own success when they went to 9
Air Experience Flight at RAF Linton-on-Ouse for practical flying experience in the Grob Tutor aircraft. After the customary safety briefing, the cadets were kitted out for flying, with flying suit, helmet and gloves, before taking to the air under the watchful guidance of their flying instructors.
Continuing the ‘bronze age’ experience for Mirfield cadets, Corporal Toby Mathews (15) developed his flying training to successfully be assessed for his Bronze Aviation Wings.
Also, on the day Cadets Gurdeep Kumar-Sharma (14) and Morgan Schofield (13) enjoyed their first flight as Air Cadets and Joshua Clark (13) built on his recent Ground School and Part Task Trainer experience with 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Topcliffe to qualify for his Blue Aviation Wings. He had visited RAF Topcliffe in September together
What a surprise and honour to be on hand to see the last flying display of the Tucano in RAF service!
with CWO Kiara Baillie (19) and cadets Oscar Clayton (14) and Sebastian Gallagher-Wild (13) and all were awarded their Blue Gliding wings at the end of their visit.
Another event was happening at RAF Linton-on- Ouse on the same day: the last formation display flying of the Tucano aircraft before it ws retired from service with the Royal Air Force. The cadets were privileged to see the display which included a fly-past in the famous Diamond-9 formation. Two RAF fire engines were positioned to use their water-cannons to give a salute to the aircraft on landing after their display.
Squadron commander Flight Lieutenant Peter Doubell said, “What a surprise and honour to be on hand to see the last flying display of the Tucano in RAF service! Our cadets have all done well in the past week and we have seen some good progress for them in both flying and gliding. As we are Air Cadets, it is important that our members get to experience the not only the excitement of flying and gliding, but also the opportunity to have this level of training and to develop their skills.”
Daniel Green, Toby Mathews and Mitchell Breare show off their new bronze badges
Water cannon salute for the Tuncanos as they land
The last formation display flight of the Tucanos
24 CADET REVIEW SPRING 2020