Page 28 - Cadet Review Autumn 2023

SWY Wing ATC
GETTING AIRBORNE WITH
MIRFIELD AIR CADETS
One of the major attractions for being an Air Cadet is the opportunity to enjoy various aspects of aviation. These opportunities cover theoretical training through synthetic flying on flight simulators to the real experience of practical aviation: flying and gliding at one of the many locations around
the country they have dedicated to the activity, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGS) and Air Experience Flights (AEF).
During the summer months, a number of
cadets from 868 (Mirfield) Squadron have had the opportunity to experience flying and gliding, and, as a result of their previous training at squadron, have been able to qualify for their Blue Aviation Wings.
In June, Sgt Katie Ashford, Archie Burton, Toby Dibb and Dawn Greenwood visited 9/11 AEF at RAF Leeming; after a safety briefing all got to enjoy a flight in the Air Cadets' Tutor aircraft, and Blue Wings were awarded to Cadets Burton and Greenwood.
In August anther party of cadets took to the skies in a different way with 644 VGS at RAF Syerston. Cadets Lexi Foggo, Dawn Greenwood, Amrik Singh Chaggar and Ethan Wood attended for their first practical experience of gliding with the Air Cadets.
As always, the visit started with a comprehensive safety briefing, including the very important escape drills. They then progressed onto the airfield where they enjoyed a series of launches in the Grob Viking glider, leading to the award of Blue Wings to Cadets Foggo, Singh Chaggar and Wood.
Having been able to enjoy the excitements of both flying and gliding, Toby Dibb wrote about the different experiences:
“For gliding it was a smooth take-off and fast, but the landing was very bumpy. In the air the aircraft is very sensitive to the controls (you only have to use your thumb and finger to make a move to go
up or down). When you are in the air, if you want to say something you will have to be
very clear because the instructor
is seated behind you. Gliding is
very good because you will get two turns to take off. The first time you will be able to learn the
the landing was very bumpy
Toby Dibb gets strapped into the Grob Tutor ready for his flight
Sgt Katie Ashford beside the Grob Tutor before her flight
Simulator Training at Squadron
28 CADET REVIEW AUTUMN
Archie Burton and Dawn Greenwood with their new wings
controls but on the second time you will get more time in the air. Altogether I think gliding is better to start with before you go onto to powered flight.
For the powered flight it is great fun because the take-off is a lot smoother and the height is nearly
twice the height of when you go gliding. Once you are in the air you will get told all of the controls and
what is on the control panel, like height, primary flight display and the radar system. Once you have got used to the control you will get a chance to turn left and right and then up and down and a chance
to level out. Once you have done all that you will be able to do aerobatics like barrel rolls, backflips, go straight up and to rolls to the left or right.
All together I think flying is better because you can do aerobatics and the plane is a lot smoother in the air.”
Lexi Foggo poised and ready for launch
2023