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The Royal Air Force Section

Officer Commanding:

The Royal Air Force is all about flying and this theme represents the backbone of training in this Section. We enjoy close liaisons with our local Air Experience Flight at RAF Colerne, where opportunities exist for cadets to fly a couple of mornings a term in the “Grob Tutor” aircraft, (also used for training by the University Air Squadrons). Flights generally last between half an hour to an hour, depending on the amount of aircraft available on the day. Cadets are encouraged to take the controls while airborne or may be asked to navigate. The pilot alongside does the tricky bits and the aerobatics if requested by the cadet. Gliding is also available to all RAF cadets and a few are selected to take gliding courses that enable them to fly solo. There are a few RAF Gliding Scholarships available to exceptional cadets each year-as you can imagine these are extremely intense and only a very small selection of cadets from across the UK CCF’s are accepted on the courses.

Ground training involves learning the basics about aircraft e.g. the principles of flight, but cadets also learn skills pertinent to aircrew e.g. survival skills, shooting, orienteering, camp craft, navigation, first aid, etc. There are extensive opportunities for further experience at RAF annual camp, held at different RAF stations each summer. Field days provide an opportunity to sample the above activities away from school.

St. Dunstan’s Community School and Arts College have linked up with us and have a detached flight run by Flt Lt. Hutchinson. They operate on a Friday and share our resources.

As may be expected, the sky’s the limit and it is up to the individual cadet what he or she makes of the opportunities presented.

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