2344 (Longbenton) Sqn

A 16 year old student from Longbenton Community College has put on his flying suit to gain his Gliding Wings at R.A.F Topcliffe this week.

Andrew Bull is a member of local Air Cadet unit 2344 (Longbenton) Squadron and enjoyed the opportunity to learn to fly as part of the training offered to the cadets.

Andrew attended the North Yorkshire R.A.F base to take to the skies in a Grob Vigilant, a glider used by the Royal Air Force, as part of the Gliding Scholarship Scheme.  Andrew, of Longbenton, said: "It involved a lot of hard work and I was really nervous the first time I went up with the pilot but my nerves soon disappeared as I got to grips with the flight controls."

 "It's an incredible experience being a pilot, and I will never forget the first time I flew my first sortie. This is definitely a life changing experience and I am now determined to get good grades at school and make a career for myself," Andrew added.

Andrew underwent basic training at the Longbenton unit before taking-off to earn his wings.   As flying and gliding slots are regularly given to the Squadron each cadet has the opportunity to participate in this thrilling activity.

Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Gary Richardson, said that it is one of many opportunities available to cadets at the squadron and added "Andrew has shown great determination and skill to obtain his Wings and we are all very proud of him."

• We offer the opportunity to fly in light aircraft as well as occasionally being given the chance of flying in fast jet aircraft.
• Cadets are given plenty of opportunities to go flying at No.11 Air Experience Flying (AEF) located at RAF Leeming, where they will fly the Grob Tutor, and maybe even participate in aerobatics.
• As well as flying in the Tutor with 11 AEF, many Cadets get the opportunity to fly in other military aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules and Chinook Helicopter.
• There are also Flying Scholarships, Pilot Navigation, and Micro Light Scholarships for those who are aviation minded. These Scholarships are available to anyone, as long as they fit the few criteria. All you need to do is apply!
• The Flying Scholarship Scheme allows cadets to obtain elementary flight training on light aircraft, and is a large leap towards your Private Pilot's License. The Pilot Navigation Scheme allows cadets to attend a two week pilot navigation course and have 8 hours flying learning new skills and developing existing ones.
• The Microlight Scholarship is a relatively new Scholarship and offers the chance for cadets to obtain elementary flight training, on an aircraft they would have never dreamed about flying.