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2171 POWERED FLIGHT report

Air Cadets have the opportunity to fly with Royal Air Force pilots in Tutor aircraft. Flying takes place at one of 12 Air Experience Flights (AEFs) where cadets are shown how the aircraft flies and given the chance to control the aeroplane, experience aerobatics or simply admire the view. All Air Cadets get the opportunity to fly with the AEF each year. The ACO has had the benefit of powered aircraft since 1957 with the introduction of venerable DeHavilland Chipmunk aeroplanes which were replaced by the Bulldog in 1996. The latest replacement - Grob Tutor - recently entered AEF service, replacing the Bulldog. The Tutors are provided by a contractor, Bombardier Aerospace Defence Services, and the MoD, buys flying hours. The AEF task is based on 25 minutes per cadet per year, plus an allowance for staff continuation training, etc. AEF aircraft are flown by volunteer pilots, all of whom are current or former service pilots.

This aircraft (left) is a grob tutor, the fairly new aircraft that has replaced the old and faithful bulldog. This aircraft is the aircraft that you as a cadet would be flying in. It is a joy to fly, with all the new mod-cons like the gps (global positioning system) which is brilliant. Its very nerve racking the first time you go flying. You have to get into a flying suit, wear gloves, A helmet so you can talk to the pilot and of course a parachute. The initial feeling of speeding up the runway and suddenly becoming weightless as soon as you take off is one of the best experiences you will have. But the feeling doesn't stop there! You go higher and higher, watching the ground get further & further away from you and watching the objects on the ground such as cars, people & houses get smaller & smaller the higher you go. I ensure you it's a great feeling & a brilliant view.

Once your up,if it's your first time the pilot will show you how the plane works and all the controls. He will ask you to 'follow him through', this means that you will take hold of the controls, holding them very lightly and basically just following what he's doing. BUT DON'T TAKE CONTROL! That comes later. The pilot will show you how the plane can go up and down, turn left and right and how the plane can turn up and down in any direction. This will take up at least one lesson. The next time you go the pilot might ask tell you 'you have control' after he's show you a certain thing to do and you've 'followed him through'. This means that you have control of the aircraft and you do as he did. You will later do things like using the throttle to alter the speed and the trim to balance the increase or decrease in speed, as the aircraft will either pull up or down. The next stage after you've done the lot is to do aerobatics! And trust me its brilliant! There are different aerobatics that you can do. The pilot will always show you first and ask you to 'follow him through' then he will say 'you have control' you then do what he's showed you. Obviously you don't have to but don't be worried it's great! And there's always a sick bag if all else fails! The main aerobatics that your pilot and you will do are;1) the barrel-roll 2) the loop and loop the loop(twice) 3) the barrel-roll and loop together 4) the stall-turn which is excellent and I fully recommend it! 5) and finally the Cuban eight which is also excellent! When you fly (if you fly enough) you will experience all of these things and more! Flying will be one of the best experiences of your life- so enjoy, it don't be worried!

Cadet cpl Dan Taberner
2171 sqn

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