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Tag: Air Training Corps

Alex Flying High on Cloud Nine!

A Longbenton Air Cadet is on cloud nine after earning his flying wings! After undergoing a selection day, which assessed his aptitude, knowledge and skills in a simulated environment, Alex McGowan, 17, bagged himself a prestigious flying scholarship. The Longbenton High school student went to Dundee to gain his Flying Wings with Tayside Aviation. He said of the fully sponsored opportunity, “The course was the best two weeks of my life! The instructors focussed on the areas I needed to improve which helped to increase my confidence. “However, when I flew my first sortie alone I was really nervous! The pilot told me to hold the aircraft on the taxi-way and he got out, saying “Good luck in your your...

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Silver Gliding Wings for Bedlington Air Cadet

Congratulations and well done to Sgt Esmee Webley, an Air Cadet with 2522 (Bedlington) Sqn, who has been awarded with her Silver Gliding Wings after completing the new Silver Gliding Course. Sgt Webley was the only cadet selected from the North Region and has spent a week at RAF Syerston where she completed 43 launches in the Grob Viking Glider as part of the course which ended with her completing a solo flight in the glider. This is a great achievement for Sgt Webley, who lives in Morpeth and attends the Air Cadet unit in Bedlington. It is a great experience and one step closer to her goal of becoming a pilot in the Royal Air Force.

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Solo Flight for Durham Air Cadet!

A teenager from Durham was lucky enough to be selected for the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme, spending two weeks training – culminating in a solo flight! James Kirton, 19, of the Gilesgate area of Durham City, was one of 186 cadets across the UK to complete the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme this year. The scheme includes 12 hours of free flying training over 2 weeks at Tayside Aviation in Dundee. Students on the course spend one week learning the basics of flying the 2-seater Aquila 211, and then in week 2 are given increasingly more control over the aircraft, culminating in the opportunity to undertake a solo flight. James said, “The feeling of flying an aircraft by yourself is truly...

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Cadets Support Anzac Day Commemorations

Cadets from 1801 Alnwick Sqn Royal Air Force Air Cadets took part in a special service of Commemoration at Chevington Cemetery in Northumberland at the weekend, in conjunction with the Newcastle and Gateshead Branch of the Royal Air Force Association. The service and parade marked Anzac Day, when we remember all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in war and on operational service.

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Air Cadet Leaders Put Through Their Paces at RAF Cranwell

Two recently appointed Adult Volunteers from 2505 (Bishop Auckland) Squadron Air Cadets have attended and successfully completed the SNCO Staff Initial Course (SSIC) at the Adult Training Facility at RAF Cranwell. Sergeant (ATC) Caroline Hodgson and Sergeant (ATC) Malcolm Edwards took part in the week-long course along with other newly appointed Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) from around the country. They were taught how to instruct drill and other subjects, as well as developing their knowledge of safeguarding, and their own personal leadership skills. "'The course was very good with open and honest discussions facilitated by experienced staff. The challenges presented throughout the intensive week enabled us to develop as leaders within the Royal Air Force Air Cadets," said Sgt Edwards. The pair's CO,...

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Cadets Selected for Prestigious Flying Scholarships

Four Cadets from Durham/Northumberland Wing have been selected by North Region for the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme 2017! Congratulations to CWO Richardson of 1114 Gosforth Squadron - Air Cadets, CWO McAree and Sgt Newton of 861 (Wideopen) Squadron ATC, and Cpl McGowan of 2344 (Longbenton) Air Cadet Squadron! We are looking forward to seeing some photos of your progress over the next few months! Well done also to FS King of 1932 Blackhall ATC Squadron and Cdt Scott of 2344 (Longbenton) Air Cadet Squadron who have been selected as reserves - fingers crossed you get a place! Here's a photo of one of our Cadets from 1507 (Chester-le-Street) Squadron who completed his Flying Scholarship last year...

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DNW Smash Their D of E Record!

Air Cadets from across Durham/Northumberland Wing area achieved an outstanding 234 Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards in 2016, breaking all previous records. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a key element of the Air Cadet offer, and every young person in the organisation is encouraged to enrol and take part. From Volunteering with their local Brownie pack, to learning new skills such as Aeromodelling, Website design and Music, the Cadets can participate in a hugely wide range of activities. Cadets in the 35 Squadrons across the Durham/Northumberland area can register for the Bronze Award as soon as they are in Year 9 at school, and many then progress on to the Silver and Gold Awards, culminating in a visit to St...

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Vigilant Returns to Skies over Topcliffe

On Saturday 17th September 2016, the Grob Vigilant of 645 VGS at RAF Topcliffe took to the skies again. This marked one of the biggest steps towards recovering Air Cadet Gliding since in April 2014 the decision was made to pause all Air Cadet gliding throughout the organisation. This was a difficult decision made in order to future proof air cadet gliding and safeguard its future, and to ensure the air worthiness of the fleet. Since then work has been ongoing in the background to get the fleet back in the air and the squadron has been under the guidance of No.2 flying training school (2FTS). At midday on Saturday, aircraft ZH207 crewed by Flt Lt Dave Smith (CGS) and...

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Air Cadets in Sunderland Remember ‘The Few’

Over 60 air cadets and veterans from across Sunderland paraded against the magnificent backdrop of Mowbray Park to remember the bravery, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph of the men Winston Churchill dubbed ‘The Few’. It is 76 years since the Battle of Britain raged in the skies above England as the RAF fought to gain air supremacy against Hitler’s Luftwaffe and bring to an end the Fuhrer’s invasion plans. Yesterday veterans and Air Training Corps cadets from across Sunderland and South Shields, formed up at the bandstand marching for a special service of commemoration and laying of wreaths. Spectators turned out in their droves to show their support and remember the 544 British and overseas air crew who died defending our nation...

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Air Cadets Remember the ‘Few’ at Battle of Britain Parade

Two hundred air cadets and veterans from across the North East paraded against the magnificent backdrop of Durham Cathedral to remember the bravery, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph of the men Winston Churchill dubbed ‘The Few.’ It is 76 years since the Battle of Britain raged in the skies above England as the RAF fought to gain air supremacy against Hitler’s Luftwaffe and bring to an end the Fuhrer’s invasion plans. And yesterday the veterans and Air Training Corps cadets from across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham, formed up on Palace Green before marching into the cathedral for a special service of commemoration. Spectators turned out in their droves to show their support and remember the 544 British and overseas air...

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