FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES
University can be intense . Sometimes you just want to get away from it all , de-stress and get your head in the clouds – as a Cadet in the UAS , the sky is your playground .
As you might expect , flying is one of our most popular activities . It ’ s available to all UAS members and can range from simple air experience flights to solo sorties involving aerobatics and formation flying . What ’ s more , your instructors will be the best in the business – RAF Pilots !
Each member is allocated ten hours of flying per year , but many do more . The 31-hour syllabus starts with ground training : getting to know our aircraft – the Tutor – and learning all the essential checks and drills you have to perform before and after take-off , and in the air .
Depending on your aptitude and ability , you ’ ll probably undertake your first solo flight after about 11 hours of flying training . You ’ ll have an instructor with you for the first half of your next three flights , but you ’ ll get to fly the second half by yourself , and after that it ’ s just you and the sky !
WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
From UAS student to Typhoon Pilot
Now
Then
Formerly of Northumbria UAS , Flight Lieutenant Guy Lockwood studied economics , politics and management at Durham University . Today he ’ s a Typhoon Pilot based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire .
‘ Flying one of the best fast jets in the world is a real privilege . I get to fly every day and , although it ’ s hard work , I get a huge amount of job satisfaction out of it . For me , the fact that the RAF combines the outdoor life with plenty of challenges in the workplace makes it the best of both worlds .’
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