FLYING TRAINING
‘ The instructors here are really confident and they have total faith in your ability to learn and eventually fly solo . You feel sort of honoured by it ; the first time the instructor gives you control , you think : “ This is my time to shine ”.’
Amy Brown , RAFVR , London UAS
MY EXPERIENCE ...
WILL RANDLE , SPONSORED STUDENT , CAMBRIDGE UAS
‘ The first time I went up was amazing ; I was a passenger in a formation flight . I felt pretty rough afterwards to be honest – the crew said they ’ d never seen anyone look so green ! Three years later I ’ ve got 85 hours of flying under my belt and I ’ ve just completed the advanced flying modules .
MY EXPERIENCE ...
DAN MALTSBY , RAFVR , NORTHUMBRIA UAS
‘ I ’ m from a working-class family in Sunderland and , to be honest , the UAS has really opened my eyes . Before joining I thought that only posh people or Lord so-and-so ’ s son could be a Pilot in the RAF , but the more people you meet the more you realise that it ’ s not about where you come from , it ’ s about who you are and what you can do .
‘ It costs loads to become a civilian pilot , but here you ’ re offered it all on a plate – it ’ s a massive opportunity . There ’ s a lot to learn , so you have to be committed . You have to do a lot of checks and drills before you go up , but it ’ s totally worth it . You don ’ t control the aircraft on your first few flights , but just being up there and having the flying suit and the helmet on , you feel like God ’ s gift .
‘ I ’ m on the tip of my first solo flight . It ’ s pretty scary because the sorties are easy to begin with , but when you ’ re the captain of the aircraft and flying it on your own , you ’ ve got to take everything into consideration . It ’ s a massive responsibility but great fun . How many people can say that they go to uni , they do a degree and on the side they learn how to fly an aeroplane ?’
‘ Once you ’ ve completed the main flying syllabus you have the option to do three advanced modules : formation flying , lowlevel navigation and aerobatics . Formation flying is my favourite . It ’ s quite intense : you ’ re right next to another aircraft , or several , doing manoeuvres , so you ’ ve really got to concentrate . Aerobatics is also great fun – we ’ re taught to do things like barrel rolls and loops .
‘ I ’ ve got about 18 months before I head to RAF Cranwell for Initial Officer Training . I ’ m looking forward to getting out there and starting my career for real ; I ’ d really like to fly the Typhoon .’
‘ The RAF offers an amazing life of adventure and excitement , mixed with discipline and respect . I can ’ t wait to join .’
5