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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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 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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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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Solo Flight for Chester-le-Street Air Cadet!

A Cadet from 1507 (Chester-le-Street) Squadron was lucky enough to be selected for the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme, and spent two weeks over the summer at Tayside Aviation - culminating in a solo flight! Here he tells the story in his own words: "During August 2016 I was chosen as one of 186 cadets across the Corps to complete the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme. This scheme gave me 12 hours of free flying training, with the chance of a solo flight, at Tayside Aviation, Dundee. It was one of the best experiences of my life as flying is my passion and I was given the opportunity to meet other Cadets from across the UK. There was a total of 6 Cadets on my course, 4 were...

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Sunderland Cadet is a High Flyer!

A cadet from 111 (Sunderland) Squadron recently qualified through the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme by completing a solo flight. Cadet Sergeant Gianluca Giordano, 18, completed the course following two weeks of intensive training at Tayside Aviation, Dundee.The course, which is free of charge through the Air Training Corps, prepares students for their solo flight which includes aircraft handling, air traffic control procedures and emergency drills. Cadets who complete the training and fly solo are awarded 'wings' to wear on their uniform. Sergeant Giordano said: "This was an incredible experience, I am extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity especially as I wish to pursue an aviation career with the Royal Air Force." Flying opportunities are available to all ATC...

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35 SQUADRONS AND OVER 1600 CADETS AND STAFF Are you up for fun, adventure, incredible experiences and making new friends? Are you looking for something to give you the edge in life? Then welcome to the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC). Better known as the ‘Air Cadets’, we’re a UK-wide cadet force with more than 40,000 members aged between 12 and 20 years. Durham/Northumberland Wing covers County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland  and includes 35 Squadrons from the Scottish Border to County Durham, and from the Pennines across to the North-east coast. We’re sponsored by the Royal Air Force and can give you hands-on experience of activities and courses that will challenge and develop your skills to help...

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What we do

Cadet life is about learning through practical experience, especially in the great outdoors! Here's a taster of what's in store. This is what it's all about: activities that offer challenge, excitement and adventure and the knowledge you pick up along the way through structured training and first-hand experience. Adventure Training, Band, Camps, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Fieldcraft, Flying and Gliding, Shooting and Sport are just a few of the activities on offer in the Air Cadets, so to keep things simple we've broken it down into areas which you can access using the links below. Flying Gliding Camps Shooting First Aid Adventure Training Music and Bands Parades and Ceremonial Sports Training and Education DofE Fieldcraft [do_widget id=tag_cloud-2]

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