Flying

Flying is a large part of the Air Training Corps in not only what you study but what you do! Flying can come in the form of Air Experience Flights (AEFs), as part of Scholarships or as Opportunity Flights in Frontline RAF Aircraft. All of these can be read about below.

Air Experience Flying at RAF Woodvale.

Air Cadets all over the country will have the opportunity to fly with the Air Cadets, and possibly even experience the thrill of aerobatics, and extend your ability with a Flying Scholarship.

RAF Woodvale is the local airbase for AEF flights for Air Cadets in Merseyside Wing. You will be flying the Grob 115E Tutor from the 10 AEF squadron, and will often have a 30 minute flight.

A typical day for flying in the Air Cadets involves an early get up - generally around 7 or 8AM, getting to

You fly with RAF Pilots

RAF Woodvale, being kitted out with a RAF Flying Suit and then waiting for your Aircraft to be checked, fueled and of course the pilot who you'll be flying with. When finally called up to go flying, you will be issued with a Helmet, Gloves, and sunglasses if necessary, and then you will be walked out to the Caravan, where you will wait until your pilot is ready to take you flying.

If it is your first Air Experience Flight, walking over to the aircraft can be quite exciting; this might actually be the very first time you have ever flown a plane before! You will be shown how to approach the aircraft, normally from behind, approaching the left hand side. As shown in your Safety Brief, you will notice the grey walkway on the aircraft's left wing, which is the only part of the wing you are allowed to walk on.

When you enter the aircraft you can see all the flying instruments and controls, and you will be shown how to connect your harness. Your headset will be connected so that you can talk to the pilot through the

Air Cadet Pilot

microphone located on the helmet. He will start the aircraft up, talking to you along the way, and prepare the aircraft for taxiing. Be sure to have a think about what you want to do with your time in the air; it's almost certainly a question that will be asked.

When you have taken off, you will often feel a lot of turbulance as you fly over the trees. The pilot will

climb to a safe altitude and at some point during your flight, hand over control of the aircraft so you can experience flying the plane for yourself. You will notice how the Control Column is quite light, and only requires light pressure for the aircraft to respond.

When you have finished your exercise, you will turn back and head for base, and after landing be required to return all the equipment you have borrowed. Then its back to the waiting room and sit tight for the other people from your squadron to land.

Opportunity Flights

During the camps you go on, you may get the chance to fly in frontline RAF Aircraft. These usually happen as part of Annual Summer Camps. In the Year 2007, Cadets from 90 Squadron flew in a Puma Helicopter for over an Hour as part of their 2007 annual camp at RAF Benson.

Occasionally, opportunities to fly in Fast Jets arise. In addition, a Hawk flight is offered to the winner of the ATC Cadet of the Year Competition.