2344 (Longbenton) Sqn

Air cadets from Longbenton enjoyed a leadership exercise with a twist as they took charge of their squadron for an evening.

As part of the leadership development programme; the cadets have been learning about different leadership styles and through various leadership tasks; they have gained a practical insight into the importance of communication skills, organisational skills and management and supervision techniques.

The recent role reversal exercise - codenamed Operation Reversy Percy - saw the cadets swap ranks for the evening. "The exercise allowed young people to take on and enjoy responsibility in a structured setting" said Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Gary Richardson. "It enabled our youngest cadets to experience what it's like being a non-commissioned officer (NCO) and the various duties that entails, and it also allowed our older teenagers to be challenged by taking on adult staff roles and responsibilities;" added Gary.

For Cadet Daniel Dotchin, 17 of Benton, it saw him become the Commanding Officer. "It was very enjoyable and really good fun but it was equally demanding and involved a lot of hard work with so much to do and in so little time. It has helped me understand what leadership is all about," said Daniel.

Ross Baptist, 14 of Longbenton Community College, became a Cadet Corporal for the evening. Ross said, "I never realised how much responsibility corporals have so it was a bit of a shock, but I'm pleased that I did well and I am aiming to become an NCO in the future - it was so much fun!"

Whilst the exercise was underway, another exercise too had to be undertaken by the Training and Development Officer for the evening, Christopher Wilson, 18, of Wallsend. Christopher explained "Whilst the rank structure had been re-arranged, I was responsible for running a series of mini-leadership tasks that mirrored the experiences of those who had extra responsibilities for Reversy Percy. The leadership tasks went really well but it was difficult to just oversee them rather than leading them," added Christopher.

"The training exercise went very well with everyone gaining something from the experience and we now look forward to engaging in our next leadership session which is based upon the TV challenge show The Crystal Maze!" said Gary.

• We run a wide range of projects and workshops at Longbenton Squadron. The aim of projects is to provide practical skills to young people that will be useful in all walks of life. The workshops we run offer the young people the opportunity to learn more in an area of interest to them which will see them aim toward a particular goal.
• We do a lot of activities involving construction and design, maintenance, and environmental design. We have carried-out conservation work at Bolam Lake, Northumberland for over 4 years
• We also run an aerospace project which involves an interactive learning experience in the flight simulator as well as learning how to identify aircraft and building model aeroplanes and engines.
• Radio communications is where you learn how to use a radio and the phonetic alphabet to a standard to gain the Provisional Radio Certificate, the Full Operator's Certificate and finally the Commicators' Badge.
• First Aid training is also provided which sees cadets gain a St John's Award.

Local Air Cadets from 2344 (Longbenton) Squadron have learnt about the art of flying through designing, building and launching their own model rockets.

The youngsters learnt about the fundamentals of rocketry to help them learn what materials to choose to design and build their rockets. The cadets gained a sound understanding of Pythagoras Theorem and trigonometry to ensure their rocket lifted-off on launch day.

Cadet Connor Price, 14 of Benton, explained "We made our rockets from scratch and found that balsa wood was a good material to use for the rocket fins, and it was easy to cut too. We used shock cord and plastic sheets to make the parachute. Cadet Andrew Nicholson, 15, also of Benton, added "We had to be careful when painting the rocket too as the paint added to its weight."

Once the models were built up to the requirements of the UK Rocketry Association, the teenagers underwent stringent safety briefs before carrying-out final checks - particular attention being made to the rockets 'recovery' systems. It was then off for the big launch. Here's the science bit - the model rockets fly with the use of purpose made, commercially available and environmentally safe materials and motors.

Most rockets that get flown are a 2-stage motor engine that is inserted into to the motor mount (the part that holds the motor). The 2-stage motor provides the rocket with sufficient thrust to lift it, screeching into the sky. However, there is the small but not so easy task, of getting the rocket back to the ground in a re-useable state.

This is where the second stage comes in, the second stage actually fires the rocket, to produce enough exhaust gases to push the nose cone off of the body tube and subsequently release the parachute. Cadet Corporal Christopher Wilson, 16, and who attends Longbenton Community College, said "I really enjoyed this workshop, it was very challenging and difficult to understand sometimes, but I am pleased that I persevered and launched my rocket - it was fantastic!" "It will also help me at school too" added Christopher.

Squadron boss, Flight Lieutenant Gary Richardson said "The cadets worked very hard to build their rockets and their hard work has paid off by the launch being such a success." "Not only was the activity enjoyable, but it will also help the cadets with their schooling and go toward their BTEC Diploma in Aviation Studies." Gary added.

Air Cadets from Longbenton have swapped their flying gloves for gardening gloves and entered the North Tyneside in Bloom competition. The youngsters have joined more than 180 people from across the borough in entering numerous categories in the competition.

The categories entered by the squadron include small garden, container and hanging basket display school or college, young gardeners and grow your own - which has seen the cadets grow their own vegetables.

As part of the gardening workshops, the youngsters have been learning about the Battle of Britain. It was 70 years ago that the battle of the British skies was fought and Britain was subjected to heavy air raids and the loss of lives. The British government, then led by Winston Churchill, encouraged civilians to do their bit and 'dig for victory' by growing their own vegetables. The cadets have learned how civilians coped during that time and as part of their training they've grown their own vegetables and entered into the North Tyneside in Bloom competition.

Cadet Corporal James Nealings, 15 of Westmore, said "It must have been bad enough to live during a war and losing loved one's but to have to grow your own food to help your own family eat and support the war effort must have been very scary." "It has been fun to learn how people lived then and to make our squadron look nice has been very rewarding - our peas and carrots tasted great too!" James added.

Judges have been out and about choosing their favourite entries and will provide feedback to the entrants and the winners will be invited to attend a glittering awards evening at Peter Barratt's Garden Centre, Gosforth.

Councillor Ed Hodson - the council cabinet minister for the environment - said "I'm delighted that there has been a record number of entrants for this year's competition. Having so many individuals, businesses and communities taking part really helps the borough look its best."

Squadron Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Gary Richardson said, "This September will mark 70 years since the future of Britain was decided. To be able to add a small sense of realisation of what this entailed for not only the pilots but also the civilian population has given our youngsters a practical insight into how people lived and coped during the war years.