Page 38 - Cadet review Summer 2022

SWY Wing ATC
MIRFIELD CADETS GET BACK TO
POWERED FLYING
In March 2020, the onset of the Coronavirus Pandemic brought a halt to all Air Cadet activities, including powered flying and gliding – although good fortune favoured cadets from 868 (Mirfield) Squadron who were among the very last to enjoy powered flying only hours before the announcement that all air experience flying for cadets was to be suspended until further notice!
Now, two years later, powered flying is back on the agenda for cadets.
Four cadets, Katie Ashford (16), Logan Coulter (14), Mya Larder (13) and Muhammad Saad (14), attended 11 Air Experience Flight at RAF Leeming
in March to continue their flying training, further to instruction and simulator practice at their Squadron. Their visit started with a detailed safety briefing, after which the cadets were kitted out for flying, with flying suit, helmet, gloves and sunglasses. They then waited for their turn to take to the air in the Grob Tutor aircraft under the watchful guidance of their flying instructors, Flight Lieutenant Offord, Flight Lieutenant Girdwood and Flying Officer Pargeter; they each completed a 25-minute lesson.
Although for all of them this was their first flight in the Grob Tutor, because of their previous training they all qualified for their Blue Wings as part of
the Royal Air Force Air Cadets Aviation Training Programme.
After her flight, Cadet Katie Ashford commented, “Getting to fly in the Grob Tutor at RAF Leeming has been the most exciting experiences I have had as an air cadet so far. The staff were very friendly and helpful and they gave me opportunities to ask questions while in the aircraft. Whilst in the sky, we reached just over 4,000 feet and I was
I encourage every air cadet to
go flying if they get the opportunity as it is amazing
roll, lift and yaw the aircraft all by myself. My overall favourite part was when my instructor did a 360° loop making me go upside down which was breath-tak- ing. I encourage every air cadet to go flying if they get the opportunity as it is amazing.”
The Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Peter Doubell, who accompanied the cadets on
their visit, said of the occasion: “It is so very good to see cadets having the opportunity to enjoy powered flying once again, it is what so many have joined us to experience. We are of course the Air Cadets and it is these opportunities that really emphasise the “Air” in our name” – an amazing experience for young people that they won’t easily find anywhere else. A big thank you to 11 AEF for providing a great day for these cadets”
Cadets Katie Ashford, Logan Coulter,
Muhammad Saad and Mya Larder with their 'First
Flight' Certificates, presented by Flt Lt Jordan Djillali
given the opportunity to have complete control of the tutor. I was able to
Cadet Muhammad Saad strapped into the
Grob Tutor aircraft, ready for his flight
38 CADET REVIEW SPRING 2022