Air Cadets Gives You Wings

Last week one of Ely’s RAF Air Cadets went on a nine-day training course to fly the Royal Air Force’s Viking Gliders at RAF Syerston.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Davis Russellcook has been an Air Cadet for four years since joining 1094 (City of Ely) Squadron based on the site of the former RAF Hospital in Heaton Drive Ely.

Davis has been studying Aviation related subjects as part of the Air Cadet Progressive Training Syllabus. The cadets learn a huge range of skills, from Radios to Radar, Jet Engines to Rockets, and there’s a lot to learn if you want to be a pilot.

Even the youngest new recruits learn about Military Radio Procedures, principles of powered flight and gliding and all about the layout, markings and lights of an Airfield to name just a few subjects they become conversant with before they take to the Air for their first flying lesson with RAF instructors in the Royal Air Force’s initial training aircraft The Grob Tutor, a two seat , single propellor light aircraft or Viking Glider.

Cadets are also taught on flight simulators in ground schools in order to enhance the time they spend in the air and senior cadets over the age of 16 have the opportunity to attend further training and selection for Air Cadet Pilot Scheme Scholarships where they can qualify as Solo Pilot’s and fly on their own even before they are old enough to drive.

Flight Sergeant Russellcook said:
“When I first joined the Air Cadets it was always my ambition to learn to fly but the way the Air Cadet’s prepares you, it’s not just a pipe dream, it’s all within your grasp, if you’re determined and dedicated”.

Congratulations Flight Sergeant Russellcook and a huge thank you to all the dedicated and professional volunteers at 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Syerston who give up their time to fly junior cadets every weekend and who put so much effort into training young pilots like Davis on their weekend and Summer and Easter courses.

From 1094 Ely Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets