Air Summer 2011 Cadet Inside: ■ FLY WITH THE BREITLING JETS ■ WIN TICKETS TO RIAT ■ AFRICAN ADVENTURE BECKONS 2 Air Cadet SummerSummer 20112011 3 A Message From The Editor ... Marching Band Tackles This Twickenham - 33 The summer is always extremely busy for the ACO’s adult volunteers – and this year even more so – with camps, expeditions Issue: and the air cadets’ 70th anniversary celebrations. Events attended by cadets and staff up and down the country have brought the organisation well and truly into the public eye and, in so doing, have bolstered the ACO’s reputation as a leading youth organisation. It has also laid the foundations for attracting new adult volunteers and cadets, helping the organisation towards achieving its aim of 50,000 cadets by 2018. African Adventure - 18 Aside from that, it’s business as usual reflecting the busy, dynamic and varied programme undertaken by cadets throughout the country. There’s news of a major expedition to Africa plus ‘tried and tested’ tips on how to fundraise for expeditions; a comprehensive report on the ACO national band camp and your chance to win tickets to the Royal International Air Tattoo this July. Air Cadet also has a new look, reflecting The Blades the new RAF branding guidelines, that will Challenge - 12 bring us closer to our parent service. Let me know what you think … Carol McCombe, Editor Breitling Jets display team, the world’s only professional civilian flight team performing on jets, Air Cadet is sponsored by: COVER STORY visits RIAT this July with a special invitation for one lucky cadet. As a company, Breitling likes to encourage the aviators of the future and reward the hard work and commitment put in by the air cadets. As a result, the display team is delighted to offer a fantastic prize to one lucky cadet from the workforce at RIAT. That prize is a flight with the team in one of its L-39 jets; a “first” for the air cadets and Breitling. Managing Editor: Denise Parker Housby email: [email protected] Cadets Hit The Editor: Carol McCombe The lucky cadet will fly a formation aerobatic routine on email: [email protected] Right Note - 22 Account Director: Shun Tamura, Mongoose Media, the Friday before the show weekend of July 16 - 17 and 2 Lonsdale Road, London, NW6 6RB Tel: 020 7306 0300 Design: Steve J Davies, Air Media Centre, HQ Air Cmd 17 year old cadet Laura will undoubtedly be the envy of their colleagues. A small group of cadets will be able to accompany their colleague AIR CADET is printed by Warners Midlands plc, The Maltings Iddles singing at the 2011 Manor Lane, Bourne PE10 9PH Tel: 01778 391000 ACO National Concert for a meet-and-greet session with the team. Currently, RIAT at RAF Fairford is the only UK display for the Breitling Jet Every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, Band Performance but neither Warners plc nor the ACO can be held responsible team this year. More information about the team can be for the accuracy of the information herein, or any consequence Image: Philip Jones arising from it. Views expressed by contributors and customers found at http://www.breitling-jet- team.com might not reflect the views of the ACO. 4 Air Cadet SummerSummer 20112011 5 Bill Continues To Soar 70th Anniversary With The AIR CADETS Dinner at Westminster After training more A letter from the Prime Minister, David Cameron, was read than a staggering to the gathered audience. Few at the function hold such a 1,000 young cadets varied and long CV of their time with the Air Cadets as Bill, to fly solo, one of who has travelled the length and breadth of the UK in his the Air Cadets’ longest 69 years of service. It is that sort of dedication to the cause serving members has that has seen Group Captain Walker fly in every glider that played a key role in the the ACO has ever had – an achievement which few will ever organisation’s historic 70th match. Anniversary celebrations. Bill said: “I started out flying a Primary glider – it was just like It’s been a long journey flying a five-bar gate with wings – there was no fuselage for Group Captain Bill – just a seat with wings. We would get up to about 100 ft Walker, 82, of the Training on a bungee or winch launch. That set me off and I simply Branch of the Royal Air Force wanted to fly. Then I saw David Niven and Errol Flynn in Volunteer Reserve who began the 1938 film Dawn Patrol and I joined the ATC and his cadet career in 1942 with the went on to spend a total of nine years in full time regular ATC. Joining the organisation just RAF service – I did my National Service with tours in the Nineteen-year-olds a year after its inception, Bill started Middle East and later started the new Central Gliding Cadet Flight his career in light blue at 1707 School as a Flight Lieutenant. I loved every minute.” Sergeant Heidi Penn (Dundee) Sqn. Group Captain Walker and Cadet Flight has continued his affinity with the air Outside of the Air Cadets, Bill has held prestigious roles Sergeant Stephen cadets ever since – going on to hold in the world of aviation, including Vice-President of the Bird are both senior several different roles – many of which British Gliding Association, a role which would later help cadets with 2476 featured within the Air Cadet gliding him become President of Air Cadet Gliding. He was also an (Hutton) Sqn which fraternity - recognised as the largest MP for 18 years and a television presenter. In 1997 he was was recently judged gliding organisation in the world. recognised by his appointment as an Officer of the Order of the best squadron in Essex Wing. the British Empire (OBE) and more recently he made history At the end of last month, Bill joined in the Air Cadets, as he became the first officer in the Training Heidi said: “I really enjoyed this evening, finding out fellow ACO members, MPs and Branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve to achieve the rank of about different Wings from their cadets and staff, in supporters in celebrating the 70th Group Captain. such beautiful and historic surroundings.” anniversary of the ATC at a dinner held at The House of Commons, and sponsored With men and women like Bill in its ranks, it is easy to Stephen added: “It is an absolute honour to be by Cobhams. see how the Air Cadet Organisation continues to thrive here for the 70th anniversary. I have got so – even when the United Kingdom is in the middle of much out of the air cadets and it was a an economic downturn – the ACO hopes to privilege to be among such important expand to 50,000 cadets by 2018 when the people including the Chief of the Air RAF will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Staff.” For both cadets it was their first time in the Palace of Westminster which they described as “absolutely beautiful”. Cadet Flight Sergeant Kelsey McSheffery from 393 (Finchley) Sqn in Middlesex Wing said: “Tonight there was brilliant food, an excellent atmosphere and it was great to see the Commandant, such a well known and respected lady, not only in the air cadets but in the wider RAF. It’s great to see a lady at the top of our organisation - it makes her a great role model for girls my age.” 6 Air Cadet Summer 2011 7 Ever wanted rich heritage by to join the developing an Air Cadets? alumni, to recognise Well now’s your and reconnect with chance because we the huge number are looking for more of former cadets, so adult volunteers that they too can ‘be and cadets. We know part of the story.’ that lots of parents, associates and air show Are you up for fun, adventure and visitors read Air Cadet, incredible experiences? Do you want to so now we are appealing be part of an organisation that has stood to you. the test of time and continues to be exciting and modern? Are you ready for a Every year, we help nearly challenge? Then join us! As a cadet, you’ll get the chance to 44,000 Air Cadets to develop do things that others only dream about: a practical interest in flying and learn amazing skills – just ■ Soar to new heights in our gliders – your ultimate goal think – you could be one of will be a solo flight; them! The activities on offer are wide ranging, from flying and ■ Pilot and navigation training in RAF Tutor aircraft; a committed attitude gliding, to adventure training, and a hunger for sports, BTECs and the Duke of ■ Adventurous training in the UK, where you could try rock adventure! Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. climbing, abseiling and canoeing; As an adult Some 15,000 adult volunteers ■ Overseas camps where you can swim, fly, have fun and volunteer you could and civilian committee members make new friends in glorious sunshine; become a Civilian are helping cadets to succeed, Instructor, Civilian Gliding Instructor, using their life skills, experience ■ Achieve the Duke of Edinburgh Award; Non-Commissioned Officer, Chaplain or Join Us And and professionalism, which one of our Civilian Committee Members. together with our training is ■ And gain qualifications such as BTECs. You could also take a commission in the second to none. Training Branch of the RAF Volunteer If you’re thinking about a career in the Armed Forces, cadet Reserve.