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Tag: Training

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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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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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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DNW Cadets take on Sailing Challenge!

This Summer, Cadet Flight Sergeant Ben Allen of 1114 (Gosforth) Squadron, Cadet Natalia Szutenberg of 733 (Newcastle Airport) Squadron, and Cadet Sergeant Jack Hardy of 1000 (Blyth) Squadron changed their flying suits for wet suits as they took part in the Headquarters Air Cadets/Ocean Youth Trust Scotland West Coast Challenge Offshore Sailing Expedition! Through choppy waves and gale force winds, the 18 year olds experienced one of the most exciting adventure training opportunities the Air Cadets has to offer: learning to sail around the West coast of Scotland in just under 1 week! Ben Allen recounts his intrepid voyage here: Initially as I set off on the train, I got to know the two other cadets from Durham/Northumberland Wing, Cadet Szutenberg and...

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First DNW Cadet at Cyber Camp!

18 year old Cadet Sergeant Alexander Taylor is the first cadet in Durham/Northumberland Wing and one of the first cadets in the Air Cadet Organisation to gain the new Gold Cyber Comms Badge! Over a week long course, Sergeant Taylor, who was already a qualified silver communicator, had the chance to experience lessons in online security, network protection, including against cyber attacks. He also learnt about the history of cyber warfare and how easy it can be to access digital information and exploit it. The course took place at No. 1 Radio School at Royal Air Force Cosford. On completing the course, Sergeant Taylor was awarded the ACO's newest accolade, the Gold Cyber Badge. Alexander was also given a goodie bag full of...

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