Today, 12 cadets from 471 (Hesketh Bank & Tarleton) Squadron went to RAF Woodvale, hoping to have the opportunity to fly a Grob Tutor 115E. The day started with a briefing and safety video, before being kitted out with a flight suit and gloves. The aim of these flights within the ATC is to introduce cadets to flying, helping them get to grips with the controls, and reading the instruments, which we hope our flight simulator at the squadron helped them with. Then, the cadets may have been lucky enough to be able to perform some aerobatics, such as Cuban eights, barrel rolls, loop-de-loops and many more!
“Today was a great learning experience for me, as I had flown before. Today I even got to take control and do a loop myself!” – Corporal Scott
Unfortunately, a few cadets were unable to fly, due to a safety concern with the parachutes being too loose around the shoulders. Despite this, they have still experienced a day at an RAF Base, and the non-fliers were able to visit RAF Woodvale’s Air Traffic Control tower, and ask the controllers questions and find out what they do in the tower.
“It was an amazing experience and would go again! :)” – Sergeant Ball
We hope the cadets will have the opportunity to fly again in the near future! If you live near Hesketh Bank or Tarleton, and would like the chance to fly, or any other of the amazing activities we do, come down to squadron on a Monday or Thursday night, from 1900-2130 at Tarleton Academy (PR4 6AQ).