Flying on the squadron

Air Experience Flying

At 58 Sqn we enjoy our flying. We fly from RAF Leeming in the RAF's Grob Tutor. Officially, we can offer each cadet one flight per year however, we are often able to take extra mid-week flying places made available by the wing. It sometimes seems like we have cadets flying every week! For many of our cadets, flying is the most enjoyable activity undertaken whilst a member of the Air Training Corps.

Each time you go flying, it's your choice: Whether you want to have a smooth flight learning how the plane handles and admiring the scenery from 4000ft or you want to be turned upside-down in 20 minutes of gut-wrenching aerobatics, then flying with us will give you great enjoyment.

Here's what some of our cadets had to say about their Air Experience Flying with us:

• "It was a fantastic experience"
• "A real taste of RAF lifestyle"

Gliding

Cadets have the opportunity to fly in two different types of gliders: The Grob 103 - or Viking as it is commonly known - is a conventional glider. The launch is a particularly exciting section of the flight as the aircraft is hauled into the air on a wire. In contrast, the 109b Vigilant.has an engine which it uses to take off. Once airborne the engine can be turned off to enable the crew to practice their gliding skills. Both aircraft carry two people, usually one pilot and one student.

At Harrogate squadron we usually only fly in the Vigilant at our local gliding school at RAF Topcliffe, although cadets occasionally get the chance to fly in the Viking.

Cadets recently went gliding at RAF Topcliffe. Here is what one of the had to say about the experience:

"This was my first flight in a glider and didn't really know what to expect, first I was assisted while putting my flying suit, headphones and parachute. I was then accompanied to the aircraft which awaited on the flight-line. The pilot and myself were flying for around 20 minutes in the local area. During the flight I was able to take control for a while to test my knowledge in some of the manoeuvres learnt previously on the squadron. Gliding is definitely a worthwhile experience, to be enojyed by everyone!"

Opportunity Flying

Cadets occasionally get the chance to fly in other types of aircraft. These are not an every-day occurance and not all cadets get the opportunity. However, over the last two years, cadets have flown in all of the following aircraft:

• Chinook
• Dimona (Austrian Air Force)
• Hawk
• Merlin
• Nimrod
• Puma
• Robin (Austrian Air Force)
• Sea King

Here is what one cadet had to say about a recent trip in a chinook

On landing we were all sorry that it was over...It was an experience I will never forget.