Eight Royal Air Force Air Cadets recently received tours and flying training in full-motion simulators during a visit to British Airways Heathrow Training and Engineering Centres.
Each of the cadets, from around the UK, were chosen by the British Airways outreach team at the National Air and Space Camp Industry Day last August. Each cadet had a 45-minute training session in a full-motion B777 or A320 flight simulator under the instruction of a British Airways pilot.
Cadets also were given tours around and inside aircraft undergoing maintenance and deep servicing. BA engineering apprentices gave valuable insight into their careers and entry into BA as well as answering lots of questions as cadets explored the A380 and B787 aircraft.
The visit finished at the Flight Crew Training Centre, learning how cabin crew deal with fires during flight, experiencing a simulated emergency evacuation and using the emergency door slides.
Throughout the day, cadets learnt more about the breadth of roles at British Airways and career opportunities. BA Student Ambassadors, alongside staff and pilots who’d volunteered their time, spoke with the cadets and their accompanying parents.
British Airway’s Training Captain Ruth Smith said:
“This is our third year of offering this unique experience and we are delighted to have such a close relationship with the National Air and Space Camp. As ever it’s the collaboration of many departments behind the scenes that enables this event to take place. This includes a team of British Airways volunteers who are on hand throughout the day giving the cadets an opportunity to ask first hand lots of questions and draw on their experience and expertise.
Judging by the smiles, abundance of questions and enthusiasm all round, the day was a huge success.
As always, we would like to extend our thanks to all those who gave their free time to support this important visit and help inspire the next generation.”
Ruth Smith
British Airways Training Captain
Ruth, a former Air Cadet, organised the visit alongside a dedicated team of volunteers and the kind support of British Airways. Read more about Ruth’s footsteps from the Air Cadets to BA Captain in a previous news article.
Sqn Ldr Tom Hunt, Deputy Camp Commandant for the National Air and Space Camp, said:
“British Airways are a longstanding supporter of the National Air and Space Camp and I am proud to have brought eight of our best and brightest cadets to Heathrow, further strengthening our partnership. These cadets showed outstanding aptitude and engagement with BA’s outreach team at the camp in August and have been rewarded with a fantastic and unique behind the scenes visit.
From the smiling faces (of the cadets and their parents) and their words of gratitude, I have no doubt the trip has further inspired their interest in the aviation industry and taken them a step closer to their career aspirations.
For British Airways, these cadets and their continuing collaboration with the RAF Air Cadets provide a pipeline of talent and the next generation of aviation professions”.
Sqn Ldr Tom Hunt
Deputy Camp Commandant, National Air and Space Camp
Thank you to the British Airways team for giving all of the cadets, parents, and staff a fantastic day!
