Joining ESUAS

New members join the East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron (ESUAS) at the start of the first term of the academic year. Due to the benefits available for being a member of an UAS there are more applicants than there are places available. For this reason there is a selection process for prospective members.

Recruitment Events

ESUAS recruits its members by attending and interviewing applicants at university Freshers Fairs, or by dropping leaflets directing candidates to alternative recruitment events.

ESUAS will attend the following Freshers Fairs:

Edinburgh Napier University - September 2012
The University of Edinburgh - September 2012
The University of Aberdeen - September 2012
Abertay University Dundee - September 2012
Robert Gordon University - September 2012
The University of St Andrews - September 2012
Heriot Watt University - September 2012
The University of Dundee - September 2012
Queen Margaret University - September 2012

Dates TBC

If you miss us

If however you have missed us at the Freshers Fairs we attended, then please do not hesitate to get in contact with us at our town headquarters. Recruiting is now ongoing throughout the year, so even if you have missed the initial recruitment drive, please get in touch, or come to next year's events at Freshers Fairs at the beginning of the 2013 academic year.

Eligibility

To join a UAS you must become a member of the Volunteer Reserve. Membership entitles you to fly in military aircraft of the RAF and you must also satisfy age, educational, and nationality requirements. Broadly speaking this means you need to be:

• Older than 17 and a half years on joining.

• A full time undergraduate with 2 A levels or equivalent, studying for a first degree with at least 3 terms remaining before graduation.

• A citizen of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth or of the Republic of Ireland.

• A member of one of the Universities we serve: University of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, University of Dundee, University of Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt University, Napier University, Robert Gordon University, Queen Margaret University and University of Abertay.

If you are not a member of one of these Universities but still interested in joining a UAS then have a look at the websites of one of the other UASs, the addresses of which can be found here.

In addition, there are certain basic health and fitness requirements that must be met in order to be eligible.

Commitment

Membership of a University Air Squadron does not commit you to joining the RAF, however you do have to agree to commit some of your time.
Members are required to attend one town night per week during term time (once a fortnight during exam term). Members are also required to spend one week of the Summer or Easter vacation undergoing flying training with the Squadron. First years are expected to complete a week's Summer Vacation Attachment, spent on an active RAF base shadowing an officer and getting a taste of active RAF life. In addition, there is a one week Induction Camp in Early December for the first years to meet each other, and be introduced to squadron life. You will be paid for any time you spend training with the Squadron.

Members are also expected to attend the two week summer camp, held in the Long vacation as well as the Annual Dinner and Remembrance Sunday Parades.

Although being in the Air Squadron can take up a lot of your time, you are also an undergraduate. As such your first priority is to study, get your degree and enjoy university life, with all the advantages that undergraduate status implies.