Flying

All of the students on Yorkshire UAS have the opportunity to learn to fly in their time on the Squadron. Flying is conducted at RAF Church Fenton, formerly one of three bases where RAF pilots would undertake Elementary Flying Training. The UAS flying syllabus is around 32 flying hours and is based heavily on the EFT course. It introduces students to the thrill of aviating in a safe and enjoyable environment, covering instruction in general aircraft handling, navigation and instrument flying. There are several solo flights throughout the syllabus, giving students the chance to take responsibility for an aircraft on their own and gain valuable experience.

The twin-seat, fully aerobatic Grob Tutor makes an excellent training aircraft and, coupled with instruction from highly experienced RAF pilots, gives an excellent lead-in to flying training. There is, of course, a large amount of ground based preparation and study to do in order to achieve solo clearances and this can stand the student in good stead if they wish to obtain a Private Pilot's Licence. Once students work their way through the initial flying syllabus, there is the opportunity to progress through the advanced syllabus and achieve solo clearances for low level navigation, formation flying & aerobatics.

The squadron has strong links with other bases and squadrons and, provided you are motivated to organise trips, there are always opportunities to fly in other RAF aircraft. Students in the past have had the opportunity to fly in many different aircraft including the Hawk jet and Merlin, Sea King and Chinook helicopters.

Finally, Yorkshire UAS competes against Liverpool and Manchester & Salford UASs in the annual Reid flying competition. This gives the best student pilots on each squadron the chance to showcase their skills in competition in Aerobatics, Navigation & Glide Circuits. In short, there is more opportunity to fly than most students will be able to take advantage of and proves to be a huge favourite with the student body. Many of the RAF’s pilots now serving flew in the UAS and testify to its value when starting out in flying training.

Officer Cadet J Sillett - SiC Flying 2011/12

Landaway Navigation

Medium Level Landaway Navigation 2010, RAF Coningsby. Off Cdt R Pike & Flt Lt J Fowell (Left to Right) (© Howard J Curtis).

Image Information

Main Picture: Formation Solo 2012, RAF Church Fenton. Off Cdt M Wehrle.