Despite
the rain and overcast skies, on Friday 24th July two
cadets from 84 (Coventry Airport) Squadron took off in a Grob Tutor
T1 for their first ever Air Experience Flights at RAF Cosford.
Cadet
Hiran Patel, aged 17 and Cadet James Worrall, 14, have both been Air
Cadets at Coventry Airport Squadron for some time but due to the
allocations of places, cancellations due to weather and other
conflicting conditions neither have been able to take to the skies
until now. On a very grey Friday they travelled to RAF Cosford
keeping everything crossed that the clouds and rain stayed away long
enough for them to get their first air experience. Luckily they were
both allocated slots in the first two waves of sorties and once
kitted out in a flying suit, helmet, gloves and the all important
parachute, they were escorted out to the aircraft to meet with their
pilots.
 |
| Cadet James Worrall |
Once
seated comfortably in the cockpit their pilots took them up in the
air where they were given control of the aircraft. With close
instructions they were shown how to turn, climb, descend and then
return to straight and level. Both experienced some aerobatic
manoeuvres under the control of the pilot but with their hands on the
controls to 'follow-through' the movements. Handing back complete
control to the pilot, they landed safely on the runway and taxied
back to the parking area with huge smiles on their faces.
 |
| Cadet Hiran Patel |
Cadet
Worrall was really happy with the whole experience saying “I flew
most of the flight myself. I never thought I would have such control
on my first turn but it was awesome!”. Cadet Patel, who has
previously experienced glider flights said “it was so much quicker
than gliding. I loved experiencing zero-G. I'm definitely going to be
coming back if there is chance”.
During
Air Experience Flights, cadets learn about the controls of the
aircraft from highly qualified pilots who are either current and
ex-service or civilian pilots. They are given rigorous safety briefs
before taking to the air and then given the first levels of flying
training. In subsequent flights they will progress with their
training as well as move onto some more complicated aerobatics.
Written
by Flying Officer Rosie Chapman RAFVR(T)
